Claire Cameron is a novelist, essayist and author of the forthcoming memoir How to Survive a Bear Attack. This poem was assembled using quotes from news stories and online discussions about Canada’s identity.
What is Canada?
What is Canada like for real for real a perceived lack of cultural identity nobody is quite sure one of the ways we define ourselves is, well, we’re not American
Yeah there’s issues groceries are expensive we can barely see a family doctor housing sucks its grey and depressing
Social cohesion is low it’s tough for newcomers scamming foreign students people are becoming incredibly racist sorry, but it’s true
You’re listening to the hate train it’s not on the brink of collapse things are not perfect but have you seen our luscious beavers? dude I love it here
I don’t worry about most healthcare costs as a woman here I’m safer we also produce a lot of comedians we’re masters of apologizing but it’s honestly such a great place
We’re the lobster capital of the world back bacon and beer brat actors turned rappers you hear lots of languages spoken Hockey? Yoga pants?
How would 25% tariffs affect this there’s no Canada becoming the 51st state economic ties don’t erase sovereignty you’re trying to cut the pie up differently he’s going to want the biggest piece
In this moment I have never felt prouder qu’est-ce que le Canada? a better question is; what is the United States?