CANADA: Quebec

Mike Sullivan reports: "I find the Canadians to be wonderful people as the Anglophones are brought up with British good manners and fair play and the Francophones are as happy and friendly as any group I've ever met. The French Canadians have big families and are very close knit. I know the Quebecois better as I'm married to one! Canadians seem to value their physical fitness all through life and most participate in some sort of outdoor sporting endeavor. They're basically born on skis and you see many in their 70s and 80s still skiing. Most French Canadians I've met are not in favor of the separatists' movement in Quebec, in fact, are strongly against it. Canada has been a great friend to the United States in troubled times, ie, their support during the hostage crisis in Iran in 1980 and several other peace keeping/combat excursions to Africa, the Balkans and Afghanistan where many allies only gave moral support or were critical of the entire operation. We continually kid Canadians about their opportunity to become the 51st state but they are quite content with their more relaxed and genteel life style. They believe they have most of the values, qualities and conveniences that are sought after in America and fewer of our ills. I've traveled mainly over Quebec and you marvel at how clean the cities and countryside are. No trash along the roadside and people are waiting in line without shoving and pushing you out of the way. In Quebec their food is top quality and the beer very robust. A US dollar buys almost $1.50 Canadian. My only complaint is that they have real WINTERS".

My comment: Québecois are proud of their winters. Get your wife to sing; "Quand il neige sur mon pays, c'est le plus beau pays du monde". Nevertheless, I agree with you. British Columbia has a nice albeit damp climate, and I think British Columbia is "le plus beau pays du monde", I have never been to New Zealand. Neither Jaqui not Mike have discussed the problems in relation with Canada, including the US tariff on Canadian soft wood.

Ronald Hilton - 7/17/02