Alex Massie Alex Massie

O Canada!

It’s Canada’s birthday today as well! I dare say that there must be unpleasant Canadians but every Canuck I’ve ever met has been lovely. Granted, most of them no longer live in Canda but that’s a mere detail…

Canada is one of those countries we rarely hear much about, not merely because it’s over-shadowed by its larger neighbour but because it seems, on the whole, to be a pretty well-run place full of nice people. Consequently Canada has a negative news value. (Scandanavia and New Zealand have, in different ways, some of the same attributes. Good place to live = Boring!).

Anyway, the Canadian national anthem is a fine one. Especially when sung lustily (if flatly!) by thousands of beered-up beared ice hockey fans before a vital play-off game. Take it away, you Edmonton Oilers and Happy Birthday Canada!

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