How Canadians View Americans

[Moose in Belize]

By Colin Perkel, The Canadian Press

TORONTO - What a difference a president makes. Well not that much actually, according to a new poll on Canadian attitudes toward Americans.

The survey to be released Monday suggests Canadians view U.S. President Barack Obama far more favourably and with considerably less contempt than they did his predecessor, George W. Bush.

At the same time, according to the poll, Obama has had little by way of a halo effect: Canadians view Americans in much the same light as they did four years ago, when Bush was at the height of his presidential reign.

"There are underlying, enduring currents of skepticism, distrust and even perhaps anti-Americanism in Canada which (Obama's) election has not fundamentally changed," said Andrew Cohen, president of the Historica-Dominion Institute.

The Innovative Research poll for the institute, which coincides with the first anniversary of Obama's milestone election as the first black president in the U.S., finds 86 per cent of Canadians asked view him favourably.

Just seven per cent don't like what they see.

By contrast, a similar poll in November 2005 indicated that 73 per cent didn't like Bush. Only 21 per cent viewed him positively.

Obama was viewed "very favourably" by almost one in two Canadians, compared to just one in 20 feeling that way toward Bush, according to the poll obtained by The Canadian Press.

However, the White House incumbent has had little effect on how Canadians feel toward Americans.

"People have a slightly more positive view of the U.S (under Obama)," Simon McDougall, senior consultant with Innovative Research, said from Montreal.

"But really, the big story is that it hasn't changed that much what they think of the country."

Under Obama, 71 per cent indicated a favourable view of Americans, just three points higher than under Bush in 2005.

Similarly, Obama's popularity appeared to have had little influence on whether Canadians see the United States as a force for good in the world.

Canadians split almost down the middle on that question - with Quebecers holding the most jaundiced view.

Asked whether they feel at home in the U.S., 48 per cent of Canadians surveyed said they did, while 40 per cent said they did not.

Cohen called that surprising "given all that we have in common as two peoples."

Among Canadians, Quebecers in particular, are likely to feel out of place in the United States, with only one in three saying they feel at home south of the border.

The roiling debate over health care in the United States appears to have made Canadians feel even better about their own system.

In 2005, 71 per cent of Canadians said they would get better care here in case of serious illness. That percentage has now grown to 77 per cent.

The Historica-Dominion Institute is a national charitable organization focused on promoting a greater understanding of Canada's history and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

The survey of 1,018 Canadians taken Oct. 22 to Oct. 26 is said to have a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20 for its national results.

[purdygrl]

I have to say I read this post and it made me think of Rick Mercer.
Thank goodness for You Tube
Talking to American is one of my favorite segments he use to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTZ_tgMUdo

[Moose in Belize]

Thanks pg, that's hilarious. At least there was one smart kid in the bunch. I guess No Child Left Behind is working, but it's a bit too late for Miss Teen USA South Carolina 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII&feature=rec-HM-rev-rn

[ordep2]

Moose, as I read the article I get the impression that most of the info comes from the eastern side of Canada. I live in the Pacific Northwest and from my (and many others) there is very little difference between us and BC & Alberta. One of my best buddies worked the oil fields in Alberta before moving south and marrying a Montana Girl. The only difference between him and his northern friends I've met are, 1 they talk funny -2 love hocky -3 and drink us under the table. Oh, and they are usually better at scrappin. Most of the boys from up north don't like the east coast Frenchies. Seems like our northern counterparts are just like us with not say in much Federal Govt opperations. Small population and nobody listens.

[BettyJ]

Really don't get why we tend to feud the hardest with our closest neighbors (look at the Mexican beer in Belize issue). 

As a Southern American, I truly cannot ever recall any negative comments or perceptions regarding Canada (other than it's too cold there).  Like some Canadians, I also dislike the whole "excess" / shopping malls / Walmart commercialism that America symbolizes (and I was never one caught up in that).  The feeling is also that America is the superpower / know it all country who tries to control the entire world (this is a bigger issue and more debatable topic). 

[deadserious]

Really don't get why we tend to feud the hardest with our closest neighbors (look at the Mexican beer in Belize issue). 

As a Southern American, I truly cannot ever recall any negative comments or perceptions regarding Canada (other than it's too cold there).  Like some Canadians, I also dislike the whole "excess" / shopping malls / Walmart commercialism that America symbolizes (and I was never one caught up in that).  The feeling is also that America is the superpower / know it all country who tries to control the entire world (this is a bigger issue and more debatable topic). 

Canadians and Americans could not be more different.

Canadians drink Molson, Americans drink Bud.
Canadians play Hockey, Americans play Football.
Canadians speak English and French, Americans speak English and Spanish
Canadians have a woman on their money, Americans have men on their money.
Canadians say Eh,  Americans say Uh.
Canadians eat back bacon, Americans eat ham.
Canadians have one tv channel, Americans have thousands.
Canadians drink Tim Hortons, Americans drink Starbucks

So as you can see...  Americans are obviously superior.

[Moose in Belize]

Moose, as I read the article I get the impression that most of the info comes from the eastern side of Canada.

I'm not sure why you reached that conclusion, unless it is because Quebec is specifically mentioned. Any reference to Quebec can be discounted, as they dislike the rest of Canada as much as they dislike the USA.

Canadians have a woman on their money, Americans have men on their money.

DS, eat your heart out.

[deadserious]

nice.

[purdygrl]

The whole thing with Talking to Americans is not to offend them.

It is to show how little they know about Canada, it politics or day to day lifestyles

[2Aggies]

Reverse the situation and anyone could "edit" a video shot in Canada showing only Canadians with a lack of US knowledge. It's only purpose is divisiveness.

I will continue to view Canada based on personal experience and I like it there. I liked the folks I met and hung out with, I liked the food, I liked the scenery. And everyone was friendly and fun. Guess you get what you give.

[deadserious]

It's only purpose is divisiveness.

Well, that and humor.

Ever see Jay Leno's Battle of the JayWalk Allstars?

No editing there.

[2Aggies]

Leno is funny, but they do not show the 20 people who had the right answers, just the one goomba that is clueless. But it IS funny. Years ago they did the "Redneck Reviews" and I swear I had met some of those folks! Maybe at Walmart.

[Moose in Belize]

2ag, please give me 3 American questions and I'll take a poll and let you know the results. It will be highly scientific and unbiased, I promise. 

But I hear what you are saying. Not unlike Michael Moore movies. You can always find something to help you try to prove a point, and just show one side. Just a friendly reminder for your 2010 road trip, if it includes Canada. Don't bring your guns. 

[2Aggies]

hmmm - A road trip without a pistol. That would be a 1st. (is it illegal to carry a gun into Canada?) I can check it in the US if so. And yes I am planning the 13th rally in Aug. I wasn't kidding. I mentioned it to my buddies last weekend at the Lone Star Rally and 2 of them are in already. It's that whole riding our bikes to Canada thing. Been to Mexico, Florida, California and Canada will complete the cycle.

[Dutch]

A road trip to Belize would round that out nicely.