It’s hard having to justify our national identity by comparing ourselves to Americans, and to a lesser extent, the British, but we do. We have to. We share borders and a continent and the majority of both countries speak English as a first language and are of European descent. So where does that put us? I think that these ads were made by Canadians, for Canadians, although the world sees everything via YouTube. I think that reinforcing our stereotypes in a charming and comical manner sustains the status quo of Canadian Identity. Indeed, when I myself think of my Home and Native Land, I do think of the RCMP, the beaver, manners, Anglais et Français, and the general Canadian Snobbery. “I Am Canadian” still gives me shivers and makes me feel terribly proud, but really demonstrates that “we’re not America”. If the message board is taken into consideration, snobbery becomes straightforward hate, in fact, from users who are presumably Canadian to users who are presumably American. I also think of the Indigenous people who are often excluded from the status quo – these representations of Canada being an excellent example. “Canadian, please” lists other countries and their associations – the queen, safaris, the Great Wall of China – but the singers don’t identify any specific thing that we’re known for. Beavers? The Maple Leaf? I do very much appreciate the emphasis on Canada’s natural wonders and the bilingual verse, but I can’t help but feel that the video is dated because they apologize for Celine Dion instead of PR-nightmare dumbass punk Justin Bieber. In any case, although it exposes the insecurity of the Canadian identity, these videos still reinforce my love for my country.
I think both of these shorts actually intend to correct common misconceptions of Canadian identity. I spend a lot of time traveling to the States, and I have many friends in the States that constantly joke around about what it means to be stereotypically Canadian, which I think the Molson Ad addresses really well. What’s really interesting about both of these ads is they both really try to justify the perks or differences of being Canadian over being what our American or British spectators have to say about the cultural differences that are distinct to Canada. I think a lot of what Canadian identity means now is to constantly have to correct misconceptions of what being Canadian inherently means. It’s a constant waging war with how we begin to define “Canadian” and I think the thing the videos don’t touch upon is how hard it is to define a place that is ideally created through many different multicultural respects and connections. Canadian doesn’t mean something distinctive to me, or to those whom I know as it means that we are more of a patchwork quilt, sowing and mending between each other despite our obvious differences and making it work. Being from Ontario, and coming from there to British Columbia and UBC, all of my friends are from further places, some from Abu Dhabi, some from Brazil, and they always say how open minded and welcoming coming to Canada feels. I think that’s definitely something that the song picks up on, saying how people “wish they could be Canadian” and have the perks of being Canadian. However, none the less I feel like this is also a struggle. It is very much difficult to fine tune a definition of what being Canadian is versus the patriotic stronghold definition of being an “American!”. I think that’s being sold here is that Canadian pride, pride about who we are and what our country stands for, however, to answer the question of who is buying, I think other Canadian’s are buying it for sure. Of course, everyone wants to hear something good about their own country, and feel prideful and connected by a common identification that brings smaller people into a bigger picture. That being said, I feel like it’s hard for anyone else to really buy it. I would be more than surprised if I traveled down to the States one day and heard “Oh Canada is such a multicultural, diverse wonder!”, I think that we’re selling our identity to a market that’s already made up their mind about whom we are.
Both of these shorts talk about many symbols and take pride in the meanings behind the symbols and their association with being Canadian. I also noticed that in both shorts, there were a lot of comparisons being made with the symbols of other nations such as comparisons with symbols representing the United States, China, Australia, etc. So in a way the shorts are expressing Canadian identity by exclaiming how they are not any of these nations as they can’t associate with the symbol of great money or the Great Wall or koalas. However, they portray different symbols that Canadians can identify with as a whole and in a way unify the people of the nation. For example, in the Molson Canadian short, Canada is associated with being the first nation of hockey, which is an important symbol the all Canadians can identify with and be united under. Canada takes pride in the sport and many Canadians watch it religiously. This symbol, therefore, unites the nation under a common interest that the citizens of the nation share. In the second short, a lot of pride is taken in the availability of rich resources such as timber and pure water, which are also representative symbols, which can be found in Canada. Therefore, in this short, 21st century Canadian identity is expressed through what the country has to offer or what it has compared to other nations in the world. Stereotypes associated with being Canadian are also mentioned and negated, such as the stereotype that Canadians live in igloos or that they own dogsleds or are fur traders, and a lot of pride is taken in the many characteristics that distinguish Canadians from the rest of the world, such as the distinct pronunciation of specific letters and words (Zed and about) and the fact that Canada has a Prime Minister and is a multicultural nation. In a way, the shorts are expressing how Canada is much more than just their history and they provide specific symbols that all Canadians can relate to today and unite under.
“I am Canadian” and “Canadian, Please” both tell us of the Canadian identity by showing what we are proud of and negating what we feel are stereotypes and misconceptions. Thus we go on the offensive and defensive all the while remaining as pleasant and polite as possible and we do this mainly through humor, hence the silly ass song and funny commercials because this is how we do it. We don’t attempt to be aggressive and even skimp on the assertive and we make fun of ourselves long before anyone else has the chance to beat us to it, we rid the others of the ammunition and diffuse any possible confrontation unless were playing hockey than we will kick some ass and seek out bloody knuckles otherwise we pride ourselves on our humor and politeness. Canadian identity according to these commercials is one of politeness, humor and symbolism. Now whats being sold and who’s buying? We as Canadians pride ourselves on our ability to remain friendly and hospitable in any situation and one can look at these two shorts and realize that this is what is being sold. We use tools such as humor and our aforementioned politeness to push this through. Another factor that these two shorts are trying to sell is that we as a nation are not stereotypes, we are not in igloo’s, we don’t know everybody etc. and we again use the same tools again. The best thing about these shorts and watching others watch them you can see and feel a strong sense of pride in being Canadian. There is nothing wrong with the beaver, hockey, or even being polite and these are exactly what these shorts are saying, we are Canadian. So we buy our own sense of nationalism and we politely push it upon others utilizing humor, and for the most part everyone around the world likes a good Canadian.
“I am Canadian” and “Canadian, Please” portrayed the Canadian identity through the similar approaches they both took: comparisons to other countries and playing on the stereotypes of Canada and Canadians. When I think about what identifies Canadians as Canadians, I do think of what were said in the videos: hockey, health care, excessive mannerisms, beavers, maple syrup, and multiculturalism. But, what I fail to conjure is our nationality – our identity as a nation and of how we are one and united group of people. Unless it was put bluntly in front of me and stated as straightforward as these videos, I would not think that we are a united nation. However, these videos point that out and what’s being sold to is our inherent need to feel prideful about ourselves without being overly boastful. It is also playing on the stereotypes and using it to their advantage to sell their message about how great Canada is. Instead of rejecting the stereotypes, they correct them (ie. igloos) and enhance them through the use of mainly comparisons to elevate the Canadian identity and nation as a whole (ie. gun control, health care). These videos are for all audiences and I think most people buy it up as they watch it because the contents are all true. Through their unique methods (ie. song/rap, speech/presentation, music) and choice of wording, the Canadian identity is successfully sold to many people as many can relate, understand, and may have experiences and knowledge prior to watching the videos that only reaffirms their knowledge and/or gives them a sense of pride and unifies them into one nation based on the common similarities that are shared.
I think that what these two short videos are trying to say that Canadians in the 21st century are proud to be Canadian, as the Molson Canadian Beer advertisement states. In the first beer commercial, what’s being sold and bought is, well of course, beer. But on a more figurative level, Molson is trying to sell the image of Canadian identity. The man on the stage begins by comparing his country, Canada, to the United States, and busts all the stereotypes of what other countries would have about Canada. Though he corrects those stereotypes, he does it in a very polite manner, just as Canadians are “supposed to be”. In the other video “Canadian, Please”, the two figures describe what living in Canada is like and many of the positive aspects of being in this country. Essentially, both shorts express how amazing Canada and being a Canadian is. It’s seems maybe slightly ironic because there is a general idea amongst foreigners that Canada is a country without much of an identity because it is a merging ground for different cultures. Throughout all of history, Canada has been a mixture of different races, beginning with the Aboriginals, then white settlers, then Spanish, following the Chinese and etc. However, it seems to be the mixture of cultures that is Canadian culture. The differences of Canadians is what unifies them and the common grounds that many Canadians have are the things stated in the videos.
“I am Canadian” and “Canadian, Please” are comical yet inspirational short videos that would fuel any Canadian with some much needed national pride. Both discuss the typically Canadian appreciation for the mighty beaver, the RCMP, free health care and of course, hockey. I think it is interesting to note, that often we as Canadians define ourselves as what we are not, as opposed to what we are. Much time is spent; especially in the “I am Canadian” add showing the differences between Canada and the United States, and in the “Canadian, Please” video the differences between Canada and many other countries are highlighted. Also, often Canadian identity is shaped by pointing out the flaws in other countries as seen from the Canadian perspective. For example, the fact that gun control laws in the United States is rather relaxed is often pointed out, as well as other countries lack of free and available health care. Many Canadian stereotypes are brought out in these two clips, many are quite accurate, but many are also corrected. I do believe that though the stereotypes such as Canadians live in igloos and ride polar bears are absurd, many Canadians actually find it humorous and enjoy correcting those people that may be so ignorant to believe that. The image of Canada being a beautiful country because of its natural resources as well as home to some of the world’s friendliest and apologetic people is being sold in these videos, and many Canadians would be proud to say that these things are true. We cherish the fact that we pronounce some words differently and that we are seen as a peace-keeping nation as opposed to an attacking state. Canadian stereotypes and images help us put into concrete words what it means to be Canadian and all people from one generation to the next can identity with the common ideas of what a Canadian is.
“ I’m Canadian” and “ Canadian, Please” are both videos that attempt to distinguish Canada’s national identity through comparison to the United States and other English and French speaking countries. They both attempt to correct (in my opinion, not doing a very good job at it) Canadian stereotypes that were produced and perpetuated in many American TV shows and media in general. However, it is ironic how they were both sending out a very narrow idea about what it means to be a Canadian. For one, I was completely baffled as to why I will need to have a canoe to be a Canadian. And secondly, in both of these films, they’ve mentioned diversity, but were given no examples or representations to this aspect of Canadian identity. They both stressed the importance of being culturally diverse and how multiculturalism is a central theme to Canada’s national identity; however, “Jimmy, Sally or Suzy” are all names of European decent. As for our universal health care system, it is great in comparison to the US where much struggles and challenges are still present, but there are many other countries where the service has long been provided to their citizens, so, yeah, you CAN find another country where you don’t have to pay fees when you go to a hospital. All in all, I have to say I do not enjoy these videos. I do not feel like they embody the Canadian identity and virtues I value, and they are directed at a specific audience that share similar lines of cultural heritage, but they neglect to acknowledge that Canada is composed of more than just a couple of immigrant groups and that there are a lot more about our beautiful country than just hockey and mounted police.
In the Molson beer ad and “Canadian, Please” YouTube video, the creators hope to encourage pride for the Canadian identity and explain what there is to be proud about. In the Molson Canadian beer ad “I am Canadian”, the writers list and correct stereotypes of Canadians before showing concepts that they think are integral to defining Canadian identity. Beyond the script, the creators of the ad also created the character of Joe Canada – a regular Canadian who is far from the silly stereotypes that people sometimes think Canadians are. In the case of this ad, beer is being sold. It is definitely being sold to Canadians, but because it hopes to correct misconceptions about Canada and Canadians, it seems to have been developed in hopes of being shown to non-Canadian audiences as well. The “Canada, Please” YouTube video also encourages Canadian Pride. In its case though, the creators are not correcting stereotypes so much as listing facts about what we have to be proud of Canada. In some regard, the creators actually reinforce some Canadian stereotypes by wearing Mountie uniforms and showing Canada’s love for poutine with the amount of cheese used to make the video. In “Canada, Please” nothing is being sold. The video advertises and encourages pride in the Canadian identity, presumably directed towards Canadians. Both shorts tell us that Canadian identity in the 21st century is something Canadians are proud of and are happy to share. There is no longer any reason to feel shame in being proud to be Canadian.
kenthen, 
mosachoff, 
angieL, and 6 others are discussing.
cprimus 1:47 am on January 8, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
It’s hard having to justify our national identity by comparing ourselves to Americans, and to a lesser extent, the British, but we do. We have to. We share borders and a continent and the majority of both countries speak English as a first language and are of European descent. So where does that put us? I think that these ads were made by Canadians, for Canadians, although the world sees everything via YouTube. I think that reinforcing our stereotypes in a charming and comical manner sustains the status quo of Canadian Identity. Indeed, when I myself think of my Home and Native Land, I do think of the RCMP, the beaver, manners, Anglais et Français, and the general Canadian Snobbery. “I Am Canadian” still gives me shivers and makes me feel terribly proud, but really demonstrates that “we’re not America”. If the message board is taken into consideration, snobbery becomes straightforward hate, in fact, from users who are presumably Canadian to users who are presumably American. I also think of the Indigenous people who are often excluded from the status quo – these representations of Canada being an excellent example. “Canadian, please” lists other countries and their associations – the queen, safaris, the Great Wall of China – but the singers don’t identify any specific thing that we’re known for. Beavers? The Maple Leaf? I do very much appreciate the emphasis on Canada’s natural wonders and the bilingual verse, but I can’t help but feel that the video is dated because they apologize for Celine Dion instead of PR-nightmare dumbass punk Justin Bieber. In any case, although it exposes the insecurity of the Canadian identity, these videos still reinforce my love for my country.
enorthwood 2:19 am on January 9, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I think both of these shorts actually intend to correct common misconceptions of Canadian identity. I spend a lot of time traveling to the States, and I have many friends in the States that constantly joke around about what it means to be stereotypically Canadian, which I think the Molson Ad addresses really well. What’s really interesting about both of these ads is they both really try to justify the perks or differences of being Canadian over being what our American or British spectators have to say about the cultural differences that are distinct to Canada. I think a lot of what Canadian identity means now is to constantly have to correct misconceptions of what being Canadian inherently means. It’s a constant waging war with how we begin to define “Canadian” and I think the thing the videos don’t touch upon is how hard it is to define a place that is ideally created through many different multicultural respects and connections. Canadian doesn’t mean something distinctive to me, or to those whom I know as it means that we are more of a patchwork quilt, sowing and mending between each other despite our obvious differences and making it work. Being from Ontario, and coming from there to British Columbia and UBC, all of my friends are from further places, some from Abu Dhabi, some from Brazil, and they always say how open minded and welcoming coming to Canada feels. I think that’s definitely something that the song picks up on, saying how people “wish they could be Canadian” and have the perks of being Canadian. However, none the less I feel like this is also a struggle. It is very much difficult to fine tune a definition of what being Canadian is versus the patriotic stronghold definition of being an “American!”. I think that’s being sold here is that Canadian pride, pride about who we are and what our country stands for, however, to answer the question of who is buying, I think other Canadian’s are buying it for sure. Of course, everyone wants to hear something good about their own country, and feel prideful and connected by a common identification that brings smaller people into a bigger picture. That being said, I feel like it’s hard for anyone else to really buy it. I would be more than surprised if I traveled down to the States one day and heard “Oh Canada is such a multicultural, diverse wonder!”, I think that we’re selling our identity to a market that’s already made up their mind about whom we are.
nkular93 7:25 am on January 9, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Both of these shorts talk about many symbols and take pride in the meanings behind the symbols and their association with being Canadian. I also noticed that in both shorts, there were a lot of comparisons being made with the symbols of other nations such as comparisons with symbols representing the United States, China, Australia, etc. So in a way the shorts are expressing Canadian identity by exclaiming how they are not any of these nations as they can’t associate with the symbol of great money or the Great Wall or koalas. However, they portray different symbols that Canadians can identify with as a whole and in a way unify the people of the nation. For example, in the Molson Canadian short, Canada is associated with being the first nation of hockey, which is an important symbol the all Canadians can identify with and be united under. Canada takes pride in the sport and many Canadians watch it religiously. This symbol, therefore, unites the nation under a common interest that the citizens of the nation share. In the second short, a lot of pride is taken in the availability of rich resources such as timber and pure water, which are also representative symbols, which can be found in Canada. Therefore, in this short, 21st century Canadian identity is expressed through what the country has to offer or what it has compared to other nations in the world. Stereotypes associated with being Canadian are also mentioned and negated, such as the stereotype that Canadians live in igloos or that they own dogsleds or are fur traders, and a lot of pride is taken in the many characteristics that distinguish Canadians from the rest of the world, such as the distinct pronunciation of specific letters and words (Zed and about) and the fact that Canada has a Prime Minister and is a multicultural nation. In a way, the shorts are expressing how Canada is much more than just their history and they provide specific symbols that all Canadians can relate to today and unite under.
kenthen 7:53 pm on January 9, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
“I am Canadian” and “Canadian, Please” both tell us of the Canadian identity by showing what we are proud of and negating what we feel are stereotypes and misconceptions. Thus we go on the offensive and defensive all the while remaining as pleasant and polite as possible and we do this mainly through humor, hence the silly ass song and funny commercials because this is how we do it. We don’t attempt to be aggressive and even skimp on the assertive and we make fun of ourselves long before anyone else has the chance to beat us to it, we rid the others of the ammunition and diffuse any possible confrontation unless were playing hockey than we will kick some ass and seek out bloody knuckles otherwise we pride ourselves on our humor and politeness. Canadian identity according to these commercials is one of politeness, humor and symbolism. Now whats being sold and who’s buying? We as Canadians pride ourselves on our ability to remain friendly and hospitable in any situation and one can look at these two shorts and realize that this is what is being sold. We use tools such as humor and our aforementioned politeness to push this through. Another factor that these two shorts are trying to sell is that we as a nation are not stereotypes, we are not in igloo’s, we don’t know everybody etc. and we again use the same tools again. The best thing about these shorts and watching others watch them you can see and feel a strong sense of pride in being Canadian. There is nothing wrong with the beaver, hockey, or even being polite and these are exactly what these shorts are saying, we are Canadian. So we buy our own sense of nationalism and we politely push it upon others utilizing humor, and for the most part everyone around the world likes a good Canadian.
kenthen 9:14 pm on January 11, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
recently my favourite commercial is the timmies one with Sydney Crosby.
millyzhu 4:02 am on January 10, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
“I am Canadian” and “Canadian, Please” portrayed the Canadian identity through the similar approaches they both took: comparisons to other countries and playing on the stereotypes of Canada and Canadians. When I think about what identifies Canadians as Canadians, I do think of what were said in the videos: hockey, health care, excessive mannerisms, beavers, maple syrup, and multiculturalism. But, what I fail to conjure is our nationality – our identity as a nation and of how we are one and united group of people. Unless it was put bluntly in front of me and stated as straightforward as these videos, I would not think that we are a united nation. However, these videos point that out and what’s being sold to is our inherent need to feel prideful about ourselves without being overly boastful. It is also playing on the stereotypes and using it to their advantage to sell their message about how great Canada is. Instead of rejecting the stereotypes, they correct them (ie. igloos) and enhance them through the use of mainly comparisons to elevate the Canadian identity and nation as a whole (ie. gun control, health care). These videos are for all audiences and I think most people buy it up as they watch it because the contents are all true. Through their unique methods (ie. song/rap, speech/presentation, music) and choice of wording, the Canadian identity is successfully sold to many people as many can relate, understand, and may have experiences and knowledge prior to watching the videos that only reaffirms their knowledge and/or gives them a sense of pride and unifies them into one nation based on the common similarities that are shared.
doraleung 4:33 pm on January 10, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I think that what these two short videos are trying to say that Canadians in the 21st century are proud to be Canadian, as the Molson Canadian Beer advertisement states. In the first beer commercial, what’s being sold and bought is, well of course, beer. But on a more figurative level, Molson is trying to sell the image of Canadian identity. The man on the stage begins by comparing his country, Canada, to the United States, and busts all the stereotypes of what other countries would have about Canada. Though he corrects those stereotypes, he does it in a very polite manner, just as Canadians are “supposed to be”. In the other video “Canadian, Please”, the two figures describe what living in Canada is like and many of the positive aspects of being in this country. Essentially, both shorts express how amazing Canada and being a Canadian is. It’s seems maybe slightly ironic because there is a general idea amongst foreigners that Canada is a country without much of an identity because it is a merging ground for different cultures. Throughout all of history, Canada has been a mixture of different races, beginning with the Aboriginals, then white settlers, then Spanish, following the Chinese and etc. However, it seems to be the mixture of cultures that is Canadian culture. The differences of Canadians is what unifies them and the common grounds that many Canadians have are the things stated in the videos.
alexwickett 7:16 pm on January 10, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
“I am Canadian” and “Canadian, Please” are comical yet inspirational short videos that would fuel any Canadian with some much needed national pride. Both discuss the typically Canadian appreciation for the mighty beaver, the RCMP, free health care and of course, hockey. I think it is interesting to note, that often we as Canadians define ourselves as what we are not, as opposed to what we are. Much time is spent; especially in the “I am Canadian” add showing the differences between Canada and the United States, and in the “Canadian, Please” video the differences between Canada and many other countries are highlighted. Also, often Canadian identity is shaped by pointing out the flaws in other countries as seen from the Canadian perspective. For example, the fact that gun control laws in the United States is rather relaxed is often pointed out, as well as other countries lack of free and available health care. Many Canadian stereotypes are brought out in these two clips, many are quite accurate, but many are also corrected. I do believe that though the stereotypes such as Canadians live in igloos and ride polar bears are absurd, many Canadians actually find it humorous and enjoy correcting those people that may be so ignorant to believe that. The image of Canada being a beautiful country because of its natural resources as well as home to some of the world’s friendliest and apologetic people is being sold in these videos, and many Canadians would be proud to say that these things are true. We cherish the fact that we pronounce some words differently and that we are seen as a peace-keeping nation as opposed to an attacking state. Canadian stereotypes and images help us put into concrete words what it means to be Canadian and all people from one generation to the next can identity with the common ideas of what a Canadian is.
angieL 8:10 pm on January 10, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
“ I’m Canadian” and “ Canadian, Please” are both videos that attempt to distinguish Canada’s national identity through comparison to the United States and other English and French speaking countries. They both attempt to correct (in my opinion, not doing a very good job at it) Canadian stereotypes that were produced and perpetuated in many American TV shows and media in general. However, it is ironic how they were both sending out a very narrow idea about what it means to be a Canadian. For one, I was completely baffled as to why I will need to have a canoe to be a Canadian. And secondly, in both of these films, they’ve mentioned diversity, but were given no examples or representations to this aspect of Canadian identity. They both stressed the importance of being culturally diverse and how multiculturalism is a central theme to Canada’s national identity; however, “Jimmy, Sally or Suzy” are all names of European decent. As for our universal health care system, it is great in comparison to the US where much struggles and challenges are still present, but there are many other countries where the service has long been provided to their citizens, so, yeah, you CAN find another country where you don’t have to pay fees when you go to a hospital. All in all, I have to say I do not enjoy these videos. I do not feel like they embody the Canadian identity and virtues I value, and they are directed at a specific audience that share similar lines of cultural heritage, but they neglect to acknowledge that Canada is composed of more than just a couple of immigrant groups and that there are a lot more about our beautiful country than just hockey and mounted police.
mosachoff 8:33 pm on January 10, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
In the Molson beer ad and “Canadian, Please” YouTube video, the creators hope to encourage pride for the Canadian identity and explain what there is to be proud about. In the Molson Canadian beer ad “I am Canadian”, the writers list and correct stereotypes of Canadians before showing concepts that they think are integral to defining Canadian identity. Beyond the script, the creators of the ad also created the character of Joe Canada – a regular Canadian who is far from the silly stereotypes that people sometimes think Canadians are. In the case of this ad, beer is being sold. It is definitely being sold to Canadians, but because it hopes to correct misconceptions about Canada and Canadians, it seems to have been developed in hopes of being shown to non-Canadian audiences as well. The “Canada, Please” YouTube video also encourages Canadian Pride. In its case though, the creators are not correcting stereotypes so much as listing facts about what we have to be proud of Canada. In some regard, the creators actually reinforce some Canadian stereotypes by wearing Mountie uniforms and showing Canada’s love for poutine with the amount of cheese used to make the video. In “Canada, Please” nothing is being sold. The video advertises and encourages pride in the Canadian identity, presumably directed towards Canadians. Both shorts tell us that Canadian identity in the 21st century is something Canadians are proud of and are happy to share. There is no longer any reason to feel shame in being proud to be Canadian.