A nation is a group of people who share the same illusions about themselves. Academics call it imagining a community. Vancouver cyberpunk novelist William Gibson calls it “consensual hallucination.” Whatever you call it, April Fools seems like a good opportunity to think about some of the illusions Canadians have about ourselves. One illusion we share [...]
On February 15, 1965, at hundreds of ceremonies across the country and around the world, the red and white Canadian maple leaf flag was raised for the first time.
“Throwing back his head he played for us, for the first time, the masterpiece of his genius – it was Calixa Lavallée; he played O Canada.”
How did Canada get its name? Albertsland, Victorialand, Albionara, Capa de Nada, Mesoplagia, Efisga – theses were all potential names for Canada!
There were celebrations on July 1, 1867 for the new “Dominion of Canada,” but neither the date, name nor designation were sure things a few months before.
As the bicentennial celebrations of the War of 1812 begin, we take a look at one of the movers and shakers of the war.
Canada is uncool according to a recent poll that surveyed over 30,000 people in 15 countries. But let’s not fret about it. Let’s own what we are.
Summer reading: the words conjure warm wind and sun and hours of leisure time. In most parts of the country these have been in short supply this season. What to read when the precious conjunction of time and weather appears? I tend, perversely, to turn to reading material that features chill, darkness and murder. I [...]
Jack Layton, leader of the NDP, has died after a battle with cancer. Just months before, he led the NDP to the Official Opposition in his last amazing race.
Every Indian in B.C. who could and would work was employed, yet Aboriginal people were defined as lazy and irresponsible
In honour of the Blue Jays’ Roberto Alomar and Pat Gillick’s induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Editor in Chief James Marsh recalls his baseball days in Toronto.
In the summer of 1967, General Charles De Gaulle, President of France, proclaimed from the balcony of Montreal’s City Hall a sentence that would change the history of Canada.
All across the country Canadians have been experiencing extreme weather, which has many of us asking where has summer gone, or when will this heat end?
