With Canada's 141st Birthday rapidly creeping up on us, here are a few interesting facts about Canada. We are large in land mass, small in population, big of heart and occasionally we do things right. Here are 12 things we got right--
1. The electron microscope (1938), the snowblower (1925), the baby food, Pablum, (1930) and the zipper (1934) were all Canadian inventions.
2. Mary Ellen Smith became the first woman Cabinet minister in the Western world when she was appointed to British Columbia's provincial cabinet in 1921. First elected in 1918, Smith served in the provincial legislature for the next 10 years
3. Basketball is a Canadian invention. Dr. James Naismith of Almonte, Ontario used a peach basket as the "net" in his first game, played in 1891.
4. Canadians are guardians of one-fourteenth of the world's land, one-tenth of the world's forest and one-fifth of the world's wilderness
5. Canadians are funny people. Comedians John Candy, Dan Ackroyd, Rick Moranis, Martin Short, Jim Carrey and Leslie Nielsen are all Canadian-born.
6. Canadian Acting Fame: Keanu Reeves, Donald and Kiefer Sutherland, Pamela Anderson Lee, Margo Kidder, Claudette Colbert, Matthew Perry, Jason Priestly and Michael J. Fox are all Canadians.
7. Canada is home to some of the hottest artists on the charts: Amanda Marshall, Alanis Morrissette, the Tragically Hip, Shania Twain, k.d. lang, Céline Dion, Sarah McLachlan, Bryan Adams and as gnostix reminded me, Leonard Cohen.
8. Canada is home to about one-quarter of the world's fresh water. Almost 75 percent of the country's electrical power is produced through hydroelectricity. Although Ontario has just announced plans to build two new nuclear reactors.
9. Two Canadian cities are ranked in the top five places in the world to live. Vancouver placed first while Toronto was rated third.
10. Japan is Canada's largest single trading partner after the United States. Sales to Japan are double Canada's sales to Latin America and more than three-quarters of the country's trade with the European Union.
11. For the last 8 years Canada has been the largest supplier of oil and Natural gass to the United States. Canadian oil represents 17 percent of U.S. imports and 11 percent of U.S. consumption.
12. The launch of Anexplorer's blog in February of 2008. At least two Canadians (Hi Gloria!) are aware of this blogs existence.
Glad all those Canadians survived the glaciers.
Those Mounties always get their man.
I noted #17 - one of Canada's exports to Japan is gravel (rocks). I know this because I have land in BC I am trying to get zoned for mining :)
ron
A friend of my parents owned a small farm here in Ontario. They discovered gravel on their property and sold it back in the 60's for a quarter of a million dollars and never worked again.
The wife is 95, still alive, and living with her daughter in--where else--BC.
Yep, our Mounties always get their man, especially the Mountie at the bottom of the page.
Somehow I suspect I may be flirting around the edges of political correctness today.
Sherry
I've never been to Smiths Falls. But my wife's been many times. She used to take the "Safety Patrollers" from her school on a school trip to Ottawa every year and the bus would stop at the Hersey Factory at Smith's Falls on the way.
This year Linda and I are vacationing in Ottawa and I was just saying to her that I want to stop at Smith's Falls.
If I get any decent photos I'll post one for you, maybe bring back some good memories.
I like factoid # 12 the most.
Apparently the islands which consitute Japan are all clay which means that they don't have the building materials for making concrete so they have to import all those materials. Gravel from BC goes in large barges to Japan so they can build their high rises,etc.
ron
Another often overlooked Canadian entertainer is Howard the Turtle from CFPL-London in the early 60s. Though perhaps he was only a local phenom.
I think we can let Leonard in, but I'm not familiar with Howard the Turtle's body of work.
I think, as you say, his fame may have been restricted to the London area. A shame since I'm certain his talent was outstanding.
Certainly his name is memorable!
That was very, very interesting. Someday I hope to come for a visit. Did when I was young, but want to do it again now that I am more mature!
Take care and enjoy your week. Happy Celebration Canada!!!!!
Heide
But you and the wife got to come to Elgin Countys Southern part its quiet and beautiful here as well.
ANd YES by ALl means #12 was very important... Why you ask its nice to have a fellow Canadian here with me.....
We are celebrating the holiday on the day
ANd then we go on HOlidays starting the 4th...
Thansk for the smile and the great start to my day..
I live somewhere in between.
If they ship enough of Canada's gravel to Japan, Do you suppose they could throw the planet off balance, maybe start a BIG wobble.?? Lets be careful up there.
Wouldn't want that Hawk. I'm wobbly enough without the whole planet getting in on the act!!
And also Peter Jennings and Arthur Kent--two of my favorite newsmen--
After a little on-line research I've come up with this more extended list:
* Dan Aykroyd Born July 1, 1952 in Ottawa, Ontario. Best known as an original member of the SNL crew and his role in "Ghostbusters".
* Conrad Bain Born February 4, 1923 in Lethbridge, Alberta.
* Scott Bairstow Born April 23, 1970 in Steinbach, Manitoba.
* Cameron Bancroft Born on May 17, 1967 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
* Lothaire Bluteau Born 1957 in Québec?
* Hart Bochner Born October 3, 1956 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Tom Cavanagh Born October 26, 196? in Ottawa, Ontario.
* Justin Chatwin Born October 31, 1982 in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
* Tommy Chong Born May 24, 1938 in Edmonton, Alberta.
* Hayden Christensen Born April 19, 1981 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
* Roy Dupuis Born April 21, 1963 in Amos, Quebec and spent his childhood in Kapuskasing, Ontario.
* David James Elliott Born September 21, 1960 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Dave Foley Born January 4, 1963 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Michael J. Fox Born June 9, 1961 in Edmonton, Alberta.
* Victor Garber Born March 16, 1949 in London, Ontario.
* Ryan Gosling Born November 12, 1980 in London, Ontario.
* Graham Greene Born June 22, 1952 on the Six Nations Reserve, Ontario.
* Paul Gross Born April 30, 1959 in Calgary, Alberta.
* Art Hindle Born July 21, 1948 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
* Michael Ironside Born February 12, 1950 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Joshua Jackson Born June 11, 1978 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
* Tom Jackson Born 19?? on the One Arrow Indian Reserve in Sasketchewan.
* Eric McCormack Born April 18, 1963 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Dean McDermott Born November 16, 1966 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Barry Morse Born November 16, 1918 in London England. Moved to Canada in 1951.
* Lochlyn Munro Lochlyn Munro Born February 12, 1966 in Lac La Hache, British Columbia.
* John Neville Born May 2, 1925 in London, England. Came to Canada in 1972 after enjoying a solid career on the British stage.
* Michael Ontkean Born January 24, 1950 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
* Matthew Perry Born August 19, 1969 in Williamstown, Mass. Grew up in Ottawa, Ontario.
* Gordon Pinsent Born July 12, 1930 in Grand Falls, Newfoundland.
* Christopher Plummer Born December 13, 1929 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Jason Priestley Born August 28, 1969 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
* Keanu Reeves Born September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon. Grew up in Toronto, Ontario.
* Ryan Reynolds Born October 23, 1976 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
* Devon Sawa Born September 17, 1978 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
* William Shatner Born March 22, 1931 in Montréal, Québec.
* Scott Speedman Born September 1, 1975 in London, England. Grew up in Toronto, Ontario.
* Donald Sutherland Born July 17, 1935 in Saint John, New Brunswick.
* Kiefer Sutherland Born December 21, 1966 in London, England. Raised in Canada.
* Alan Thicke Born March 1, 1947 in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.
* Deryck Whibley Born March 21, 1980 in Scarborough, Ontario.
Return to top
Famous Canadian Actresses
* Pamela Anderson Born July 1, 1967 in Ladysmith, British Columbia.
* Genevieve Bujold Born July 1, 1942 in Montréal, Québec.
* Jackie Burroughs Born 1939 in Lancashire, England. Moved to Canada when she was 13.
* Neve Campbell Born October 3, 1973 in Guelph, Ontario.
* Kim Cattrall Born August 21, 1956 in Liverpool, England. At age 3 months, emigrated to Canada with her parents.
* Tantoo Cardinal Born July 20, 1950 in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
* Rae Dawn Chong Born February 28, 1962 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
* Wendy Crewson Born May 9, 1956. Raised in Hamilton, Ontario.
* Elisha Cuthbert Born November 30, 1982 in Calgary, Alberta.
* Yvonne De Carlo Born September 1, 1922 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
* Shirley Douglas Born 1934 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Daughter of former Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas, who was considered the father of Canada's Medicare.
* Deanna (Edna Mae) Durbin Born December 14, 1921 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
* Jennifer Finnigan Born August 22, 1979 in Montréal, Québec.
* Megan Follows Born March 14, 1968 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Jillian Hennessy Born November 25, 1969 in Edmonton, Alberta.
* Natasha Henstridge Born August 15, 1974 in Springdale, Newfoundland.
* Sandrine Holt Born November 19, 1972 in London, England. Move to Canada when she was 5 years old.
* Margot Kidder Born October 17, 1948 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
* Mia Kirshner Born January 25, 1975 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Mimi Kuzyk Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
* Carole Laure Born August 5, 1951 near Montréal, Québec.
* Evangeline Lilly Born August 3, 1979 in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
* Lois Maxwell Born February 14, 1927 in Kitchener, Ontario. Played the role of Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond movies.
* Rachel McAdams Born October 7, 1976 in London, Ontario.
* Carrie-Anne Moss Born August 21, 1967 in Burnaby, British Columbia.
* Catherine O´Hara Born March 4, 1954 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Sandra Oh Born July 20, 1971 in Nepean, Ontario.
* Ellen Page Born February 21, 1987 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
* Anna Paquin Born July 24, 1982 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
* Leah Pinsent Born September 20, 1968 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Sarah Polley Born January 8, 1979 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Lisa Ray Born April 4, 1972 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Ann Rutherford Born November 2, 1920 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Monika Schnarre Born May 31, 1971 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Helen Shaver Born February 24, 1951 in St. Thomas, Ontario.
* Jennifer Tilly Born September 16, 1958 in Harbor City, California. Moved to Texada Island, British Columbia when she was six years old.
* Meg Tilly Born February 14, 1960 on Texada Island, British Columbia.
* Shannon Tweed Born March 10, 1957 in St. John's, Newfoundland.
Return to top
Famous Canadian Comedians
* Jim Carrey Born January 17, 1962 in Newmarket, Ontario
* Tom Green Born July 30, 1971 in Pembroke, Ontario
* Seán Cullen Born 1965 in Peterborough, Ontario.
* Eugene Levy Born December 17, 1946 in Hamilton, Ontario.
* Rich Little Born November 26, 1938 in Ottawa Ontario.
* Howie Mandel Born November 29, 1955 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Rick Mercer Born October 17, 1969 in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
* Colin Mochrie Born November 30 1957 in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Moved to Canada in 1964.
* Rick Moranis Born April 18, 1953 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Mike Myers Born May 25, 1963 in Scarborough, Ontario.
* Leslie NielsenBorn February 11, 1926 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Prefers comic roles. Brother of Hon. Eric Neilson, former Deputy Prime Minister.
* Caroline Rhea Caroline Rhea Born April 13, 1964 in Montreal, Quebec.
* Martin Short Born March 26, 1950 in Hamilton, Ontario.
* Steve Smith (a.k.a. Red Green) Born 1946 in Toronto, Ontario
* Dave Thomas Born May 20, 1949 in St. Catharines, Ontario.
* SCTV Alumni
Return to top
Famous Canadian Directors
* James Cameron Born August 16, 1954 in Kapuskasing, Ontario.
* David Cronenberg Born March 15, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Atom Egoyan Born July 19, 1960 in Cairo, Egypt. Moved to Canada 3 years later.
* Paul Haggis Born March 10, 1953 in London, Ontario.
* Norman Jewison Born July 21, 1926 Toronto, Ontario.
* Allan King Born February 6, 1930 in Vancouver, B.C.
* Lorne Michaels Born November 17, 1944 in Toronto, Ontario.
* Ivan Reitman Born October 27, 1946 in Komárno, Czechoslovakia.
Return to top
Famous Canadians (Deceased)
* Lloyd Bochner Born July 29, 1924. Died October 29, 2005.
* Raymond Burr Born May 21, 1917. Died September 12, 1993.
* John Candy Born October 31, 1950. Died March 4, 1994.
* Jack Carson Born October 27, 1910. Died January 2, 1963.
* John Colicos Born December 10, 1928. Died March 6, 2000. Best known as the villain on "Battlestar Galactica".
* Hume Cronyn Born July 18, 1911. Died June 15, 2003.
* Colleen Dewhurst Born June 3, 1926. Died August 22, 1991.
* James Doohan Born March 3, 1920. Died July 20, 2005. Best known as Scotty the engineer on the original "Star Trek".
* Marie Dressler Born November 9, 1869. Died July 1934.
* Glen Ford Born May 1, 1916. Died August 30, 2006.
* Chief Dan George Born July 24, 1899. Died September 12, 1981.
* Lorne Greene Born February 12, 1915. Died September 11, 1987.
* Walter Huston Born April 6, 1884. Died April 7, 1950.
* Ruby Keeler Born August 25, 1909. Died February 28, 1993.
* Florence Lawrence"The World´s First Movie Star" Born January 2, 1886. Died December 28, 1938.
* Beatrice Lillie Born May 29, 1894. Died January 20, 1989.
* Brian Linehan Born September 3, 1944. Died June 4, 2004.
* Gene Lockhart Born July 18, 1891. Died March 31, 1957.
* David Manners Born April 30, 1900. Died December 23, 1998.
* Raymond Massey Born August 30, 1896. Died July 29, 1983.
* Cecilia Parker Born April 26, 1905. Died July 25, 1993.
* Mary Pickford"America´s Sweetheart" Born April 8, 1892. Died May 29, 1979.
* Walter Pidgeon Born September 23, 1897. Died September 25, 1984.
* Kate Reid Born November 4, 1930. Died March 29, 1993.
* Norma Shearer The "First Lady of Hollywood" Born August 10, 1900. Died June 12, 1983.
* Frank Shuster Born September 5, 1916. Died January 13, 2002.
* Jay Silverheels Born May 26, 1919. Died March 5, 1980. Best known as "Tonto" on the Lone Rangers series.
* Alexis Smith Born June 8, 1921. Died June 9, 1993.
* Dorothy Stratten Born February 28, 1960. Died August 14, 1980.
* Al Waxman Born March 2, 1935. Died January 18, 2001. Remembered for his role in the popular series "King of Kensington".
* Johnny Wayne Born May 28, 1918. Died July 18, 1990.
* Faye Wray Born September 15 1907. Died August 8, 2004.
Strange, I don't see my name there anywhere!