Ours is a nation of peculiar peccadillos

Canada is a moderate nation. A polite nation. A nice nation. At least, in the eyes of everyone except Donald Trump. Whatever; let’s just agree we have a certain, special character. And on this particular Canada Day — sesquicentennial-plus-one — we’re entitled to bask in it. So, here goes. You know you’re in Canada when:

You see someone wearing a parka and another guy wearing shorts, on the same day in March;

You take bets with your friends about ice-out dates at the lake;

You happily pay for winter-tire storage; Your city has those big, illuminated capital letters spelling out its name in the main square.

You see a major music festival take pains to save a tiny bird and her nest;

You pass yet another moose-crossing sign and don’t get your camera ready;

You know enough to not try making love in a canoe;

You wonder why all forms of cannabis can’t be made legal at the same time;

You judge all coffee against what is sold in Tim Hortons.

You get worked up because an art gallery tries to sell work by one French painter so it can acquire work by another;

You spend most of your disposable income on your cellphone bill;

Your publicly funded broadcaster has four anchorpeople delivering the news;

You hold out hope a Canadian team will win the Stanley Cup;

You believe three downs are better than four; You claim to like the Winter Olympics as much as the Summer ones;

You brag about the beauty of the Arctic but don’t actually go there;

You enjoy TV commercials about Newfoundland and Labrador.

Meanwhile, in politics, you know you’re definitely in Canada when:

Your government’s list of potential tariffs covers such items as sleeping bags, felt-tipped pens and gherkins;

Your prime minister is fined $100 for not declaring a gift of sunglasses;

You like it when political candidates promise voters a buck a beer;

The separatist party in Parliament separates from itself;

The prime minister can’t safely live in the house officially designated for him.

Finally, you know you’re in Canada because you can see Viola Desmond on the $10 bill. Because Indigenous people are slowly — but steadily — regaining a place of respect. Because the struggle for gender equality starts to show results.

Have a great Canada Day weekend.