Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

[Greywind]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

If he thinks Fresno to Canada is a short ferry ride, I have to agree.

 

Hugh "Geography was never my strong suit, however..." Neilson

Can I make the general assumption that you are unaware of the fact that the Curtis/Dwyer household is relocating to Washington state?

[keithcurtis]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

In all fairness, I did say, "PS. In all seriousness, this is an interesting thread, since Susan and I while shortly live a short ferry ride away from our northern neighbors."

I have corrected my execrable grammar.

 

Keith "will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will will" Curtis

 

100 times

[McCoy]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

In general the RCMP functions rather like the FBI in the United States' date=' but the Canadian view of the Mounties is more romanticised. In our traditional view of history the Mounties were the policemen of the frontier; our West wasn't pacified by individualists, but through the extension of authority. [/quote']

THAT is extremly interesting. Think there is something about that that defines the character of both countries.

[Lord Liaden]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

THAT is extremly interesting. Think there is something about that that defines the character of both countries.

 

If you can generalize Americans as valuing freedom and independence, then you can generalize Canadians as valuing order and stability.

[David Johnston]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

First of all the correct use of "eh": "Eh" is used to take something that is actually a statement and turn it into a pseudo-question. You aren't really asking someone whether you are right, you are asking them to acknowledge that you are right. Never use it when the character is really asking a question, and don't over-use it unless you want to be a lampoon like Puck.

 

Canadian automobiles have their speeds calibrated in kilometers per hour. Standard highway speed is 100 kph, and that's a bit more than 60 mph. The RCMP are generally respected and regarded as a national symbol. The reason why CSIS was created in the first place was because the RCMP role in tracking down spies and subversives had led to embarassing abuses of authority that threatened to sully the RCMP's squeaky clean mystique. They wanted a spy agency who could misbehave without tainting the mounties. This probably didn't happen in the Marvel Universe since that had a civilian spy agency from way back. The RCMP play the role of state police everywhere except in Ontario and Quebec, both of which have provincial police forces.

 

The major political parties are Conservatives (who are Republican-lite) currently in fragile power, the Liberals (who are political weathervanes keeping power by revising their position to whatever seems currently popular, but recently lost power after a series of corruption scandals),

The NDP (New Democrats) (who used to be socialists but now have just settled for being the liberal party that the Liberals used to be but now aren't particularly) and the Bloc Quebecois who only care about Quebec's interests and are sort of separatists but have become kind of apathetic about it after a few failed referenda. All four parties are represented in the House of Commons, which is the Canadian legislature. We also have a "Senate" which is filled with old duffers who don't much matter and a Governor General who doesn't matter either.

 

Differences from the United States:

 

Canada has no separation of church and state. For this reason we actually have a government subsidised network of specifically Catholic schools, part of the deal ROC (Rest of Canada) made with Quebec way back when.

 

Canada is the most extensively TV cabled nation on Earth. But then large part of Canada have no more than two or three broadcast stations.

 

Most people whose native language is English can't speak French but they all took classes in school in it.

 

Canada's biggest organised crime elements are the Mafia and the biker gangs in Ontario and Quebec. However, in the west, south-east Asian gangs are very big.

 

The most common targets for bigotry in Canada are the Canadian "Native Peoples" and immigrants from Indian and Pakistan, both of whom are grouped together ignorantly as "Pakis".

 

Block heaters are standard on cars sold for the Canadian market and in more northerly areas, you'll see actual business parking lots with electrical outlets for the staff to plug in. You better believe they mean it when they say "authorised parking only".

 

In Canada the word "college" refers only to community colleges. Major education institutions are universities. The athletic departments of universities and colleges are not important in the way that they are in the United States.

 

Canada values politeness more highly than the United States does, but this doesn't mean that we actually are all that much more polite than Americans. It just means we like to think we are. In a lot of ways it's an outdated stereotype because Americans have become more polite and Canadians less.

[DreadDomain]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Now that you had a few very good pointers from my English Canadians fellows, let me give you some Québecois' perspective. Keep in mind that whatever I say is only meant to be a broad generalization so take it with a grain of salt as, obviously, not everybody feels and behaves the same.

 

1) Do the English-speaking Canadians have characteristic speech habits ("eh")? If so' date=' do these vary with province?[/quote']

 

I agree with both Lord Liaden and David Johnston here. I haven't much to add to it.

 

2) How do the people of one province feel about people from other provinces? Do Canadians feel the same way about the provinces that the Americans do about the states?

 

I'd say Québécois feel a bit isolated within Canada and we often think as Québec versus RoC. Contrary to what some would want people to believe, Québécois do not hate English Canadians and in any aspect of life, may it be sports, politics, wars or anything, we will always side with our fellow Canadians against in outside competition.

 

I guess badmouthing Québec is fairly common in RoC but again, I've met a lot of outside Québec Canadian, both while I was visiting or when they were coming here, and I heard a lot of "I thought " but most of the time, they were quite happy with what they saw and who they met here.

 

3) How strong are Canada's ties to the Commonwealth and to Great Britain? Are pictures of the Queen displayed in schoolrooms and places of business? How much does Great Britain come up in everyday Canadian life' date=' and how much does the U.S. come up? Be honest, could real live Canadians care less about either country?[/quote']

 

In Québec, it is fairly inexistant. The only place we see the Queen is on the 20 dollars bill and Great Britain doesn't come up at all in every day life. Most Québécois believe all the protocol around the Queen being Head of State and all is completely useless and should be scrapped. It is not like she has any real influence here. Heck I personally believe some provinces should think about changing flags to replace the old colonial ones. And what about British Columbia? What is wrong with Canadian Columbia? Or even the Vancouver Province (this one is for you Lord Liaden )

 

For that matter, even France doesn't really come up here. Both countries are part of our past but we feel neither British nor French even though we generally respect both countries. The US has more influence than both Great Britain and France though movies, fast food chains or big outlet. Maybe there is a stronger anti-american sentiment here then elsewhere in Canada but it doesn't have anything to do with the american people but everything to do with the Bush regime and the (perceived) arrogance of late American politics. In ant case, French, British, American, or else are generally very well received around here. Heck, we even greet Ontarians!

 

4) How do Canadians feel about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police? Are the Mounties equivalent to America's FBI' date=' or more like the Texas Rangers?[/quote']

 

Probably because we have a provincial police here ( La Sûreté du Québec), we don't interract much with the RCMP (which we call GRC here or la Gendarmerie Royale du Canada).

 

5) How much tension is there between the English- and French-speaking Canadians? Is it something people see every day?

 

None really. The tension were at the highest around both référendum in 1980 and 1995 and even then that was nothing really. The resentment that Québécois feels when they are not adressed in French in their own province is grossly exagerated. In fact, it is almost the other way around. If a foreigner comes here and tries to speak French, he will immediately wins sympathy and even respect. Sometime, even a "Bonjour comment ça va?" followed by an admittance that all your French vocabulary is exhausted will be quite enough to earn you sympathy. Now speak broken French and keep trying and you've got respect. If a foreigner (non-Canadian but even fellow Canadians only visiting) do no not speak French, it is no biggies really since we do not really expect him to (although we would love Canadians to be as much fluent in French as we are in English). From Québec English community we do expect more but will be merely annoyed that "he is not even trying".

 

Now, in Québec, if we get served in English in restaurants, outlets, movie theaters, government services and whatnot, then we get resentful

 

6) Do the Canadians travel much inside Canada? How much of Canada is accessible (without heroic effort)?

 

I believe that Québécois tend to travel less in other provinces than American and English Canadian would. I guess it is because we feel like foreigner outside of Québec.

[Lord Liaden]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

I believe that Québécois tend to travel less in other provinces than American and English Canadian would. I guess it is because we feel like foreigner outside of Québec.

 

OTOH a great many Quebecois migrate to Florida during the winter months. A number of businesses in popular areas of the state take Canadian money at par, and have been teaching their service personnel French.

 

Of course as mentioned earlier, many Canadians head south for the winter. We refer to them as "Snowbirds."

[DreadDomain]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

OTOH a great many Quebecois migrate to Florida during the winter months. A number of businesses in popular areas of the state take Canadian money at par, and have been teaching their service personnel French.

 

Of course as mentioned earlier, many Canadians head south for the winter. We refer to them as "Snowbirds."

 

Correct. I was talking more about traveling to other provinces for work or school and such. For vacation, I don't think we travel less than anyone else. For holidays, a lot of people are going south (Florida, Virginia, Cuba, etc...), west (British Columbia, Alberta, California, Nevada) or across (France England, Spain, Italy)...

[DreadDomain]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Oh Lord Liaden, why keep "British" Columbia as a name? Is there any incencitive to change it or are you guys quite comfortable and happy with it?

[Lord Liaden]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

I've never heard anyone raise the issue of changing B.C.'s name. Remember, English Canada is a land where half the institutions have "Royal" in their titles.

[Hugh Neilson]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Well, if we're changing BC to get away from the "British" connotations, we better look at Nova Scotia (New Scotland), and pretty much any place with "New" in its name. England, Jersey and York, for example, are also all British.

[GestaltBennie]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Oh Lord Liaden' date=' why keep "British" Columbia as a name? Is there any incencitive to change it or are you guys quite comfortable and happy with it?[/quote']

 

There was talk about changing B.C.'s name back in the 70s, when the NDP first came to power provincially, but they were generally laughed at (for that and other reasons).

 

And as a history buff, trying to wipe away every last stain of our heritage leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. We don't need to follow in the example of cultures like the New Kingdom Egyptians who tore down and defaced the statues of the rulers of the last generation. The British weren't the nicest folk, particularly given what they did in Acadia or to the native peoples, and it's a mistake to romanticize them. On the other hand, there are far worse examples of colonial bastards on the history of this planet, and it's a mistake to get too reactionary about them either.

[DreadDomain]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Well' date=' if we're changing BC to get away from the "British" connotations, we better look at Nova Scotia (New Scotland), and pretty much any place with "New" in its name. England, Jersey and York, for example, are also all British.[/quote']

 

Two things here.

 

First, I was not saying that in order to get away from the British connotations. Great Britain is part of our past and there nothing to be ashamed of. My dislike of the name would be the same if it was called the French Columbia.

 

Second, I have no problem at all with names like "Nova Scotia", "New Jersey" and such. I think it is a nice tribute to whatever origins these places have. As such, I have no problem with having both British and French symbols in our flags our arms. Québec has four fleur de lys and I don't complain about it.

 

It is just a personal nitpick of mine. To me "British Columbia" sounds too much like "this Columbia is British", "it is populated by British" or "it is own by the British" or something.

 

Hey, I never said my dislike was rational

[DreadDomain]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

There was talk about changing B.C.'s name back in the 70s' date=' when the NDP first came to power provincially, but they were generally laughed at (for that and other reasons).[/quote']

 

Really? I wasn't aware of that.

 

And as a history buff' date=' trying to wipe away every last stain of our heritage leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. We don't need to follow in the example of cultures like the New Kingdom Egyptians who tore down and defaced the statues of the rulers of the last generation. The British weren't the nicest folk, particularly given what they did in Acadia or to the native peoples, and it's a mistake to romanticize them. On the other hand, there are far worse examples of colonial bastards on the history of this planet, and it's a mistake to get too reactionary about them either. [/quote']

 

Whoa! Hang in there. I don't know if this reaction was directed at my comments or at the NPD's policy back then but rest assured this is nowhere near what I was saying. I love history myself and wouldn't dream of erasing it. I am happy with the Royal part in any organisation you want even though there is nothing royal about them. I am quite happy with British and French symbols, tributes and traditions in our names, arms, flags, institutions or whatever.

 

But at the same time, I am all for looking forward as well. There is really three things I really dislikes : colonial flags (Ontario, Manitoba, heck even Australia), the fact that our Head of State is the sovereign of a foreign country and provincial names that make it sound like they belong to a foreign country (BC and PEI).

 

I guess I believe symbols are important for a strong independent country.

[Basil]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Of course as mentioned earlier' date=' many Canadians head south for the winter. We refer to them as "Snowbirds." [/quote']

Floridians have been calling vacationers (and immigrants) from the north (including NY, PA, etc.) "snowbirds" for decades.

 

When my maternal grandparents moved to FL after retirement, they were greeted as "snowbirds." And that was over 4 decades ago!

 

Just a little FYI.

[Moonblade]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

I realize this is an old thread but I'm glad I found it. I posted a "Superhero Socialism" thread a while back about starting up a Gamma Flight campaign of my own. I never even saw this thread. I finally (after a year and a half) got it off the ground last week. I hadn't intended to make it specifically Canadian but all my players were making Canadian superpatriots (which based on this thread is almost an oxymoron)

 

I'm basing this in Winnipeg. Any thoughts on the local culture, politics and trivia?

[Hermit]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

 

 

 

Canadians in general feel that America tends to take us for granted, not treating us seriously unless we do something that ticks you off.

 

That's such adorable nonsense, *pinches cheek* You Cannucks are special to us, very... now you go back to making good comedians, fine documentaries, and gaming books for us... run off now, shoo

 

 

[Lord Liaden]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

For a fine example of brainstorming a distinctively and noncliched Canadian superhero team, I recommend this thread: http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42991

[Lawnmower Boy]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Winnipeg?

Well, when a 'Pegger gets on the Internet, maybe there'll be a better response.

But... hot in summer, cold as heck in winter. Mosquitoes. An underground mall beneath the main intersection in town (Portage and Main), much appreciated because of the wind. Francophone, Ukrainian, Yiddish and Native culture intersecting, with a new generation of colourful ethnic street gangs added to the mix.

A CFL team but no other pro franchises above junior, although they're desperate keen to have their old NHL team, the Jets, back. Allegedly, a vibrant cultural scene. Keanu Reeves played Hamlet in a local production one summer back in 1996, and a local tycoon bought the unwieldy TV/newspaper conglomerate built up during the convergence craze, so that the Asper family was supposed to become Canada's designated opinion-havers.

Unfortunately, they forgot that they lived in Winnipeg.

[Balabanto]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Well, I'm a dumb american, but even I know that Vancouver has doubled for virtually every major city in the US in films over the past 20 years.

[Moonblade]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Hey that one post on the big W is more than I've had so far. Of course, being an United States citizen (everybody on two continents is an "American") most of my experience with Canada is from Due South (Yay Paul Gross!) so this will keep me in background data for months. I definitely needed the basic gang situation for some upcoming encounters.

 

The naming thread was also great. I'd already come up with a bunch of characters for Beta and Alpha Flight Central (I have three sets of each for the East West and, yes, Central of Canada), but those ideas will definitely help towards fleshing out the rest of the teams. I'll post my basic campaign when I can get Word working again.

[Lord Liaden]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Re Winnipeg: can I assume you've researched the city on the Internet? If not here's a very good place to start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg

[Lawnmower Boy]

Re: Questions for the Canadian HEROBoard members

 

Bearing in mind that this all comes from CBC Radio playing in background (our southern buddies should imagine what would happen if PBS and ABC got married and nine months later..., only with a radio service, too)

The big Winnipeg street gangs for many years past have been Native, usually called [something] Warriors [something]. The excitement of recent years has been Somali immigrants. They're into meth, the old ultraviolence, and living life by the code of gangsta rap. (So just like suburban white boys, that way.) They'd like to have Glocks, but are a great deal more likely to try to stick pointy things at your players. A trend here in Vancouver in recent years has been big machetes and curio swords. Don't know if it has spread to Winnipeg. There's a reason that hardware stores sell machetes in Vancouver, and it doesn't really apply in the Peg.

Hope that helps.