Being A Canadian 'eh

When I hear what people think of Canadians I immediately think of all of the things we are supposed to be: eh', dogsleds, Tim Hortons and pillars of ice. In actuality I think being a canadian would be someone who has a great privilege. Great choice and great responsibility.  Here in Canada we aren't America who is the world power no matter how many people want to deny it. We are one of the top countries that people want to move into. Is that what a Canadian is though?

Canadians all over Canada have the same privileges, to a certain extent. we all live in a free country where our health care is abundant, and helps people get better with out the stress and strain of finding the money for a 1000 dollar operation. We all have rights that go along with a democratic society. We can vote, were not segregated and everyone has the freedom of speech. We have opportunities that allow us to travel instead of staying in the same country for all of our lives.

Being Canadian is not just about rights though it is also about responsibility. We as Canadians have the responsibility to obey, sustain, and honor the law.  I suppose we can disobey like when you break the rule in high school and have detention or school suspension. but it is your responsibility to obey. people don't always complete there responsibility but it doesn't go away even if you ignore it. Canadians have responsibilities and rights.

Canada is a place of great choice. That is something that is just Canada. We have the choice to vote even though it is a right and a responsibility. Personally I think when you don't vote you loose your opportunity to complain. If you didn't help form the government why do you get to complain? People have the choice with how late they are out and about where in some countries with dictatorships that is impossible. Every day we are faced with choices even simple ones like what should I have for breakfast like pancakes or eggs.  What we choose doesn't define us as Canadians, but the opportunity of choice does.

Those different things are in my opinion what a Canadian is, not the Coffee not the dogsleds or ice. The opportunities that we have however is. The rights we have. The responsibilities that we have even if you consider it unfortunate that we have them. and the opportunities of choice in our country is another joy that we in this country have. This is what being a Canadian is to me. To have the choices and responsibilities.