Q&A: Reflecting on what it means to be Canadian
London Morning spoke with sociologist Howard Ramos about Canadian identity
Canada remains under threat by U.S. President Donald Trump with the threat of stiff tariffs on Canadian goods and continued musings about the country becoming the 51st state.
So, what is it that sets us apart from our neighbour to the south and makes us uniquely Canadian?
London Morning host Andrew Brown spoke with Howard Ramos, a professor of sociology at Western University, about Canadian identity.
The following has been edited for length and clarity:
Andrew Brown: Have you been thinking about what it means to be Canadian lately?
Howard Ramos: It's hard not to think about what it means to be Canadian lately. I've been reflecting on where the conversation has been and whether we are truly addressing the consequences of the last 10 years of being in a so-called post-national society. In English Canada, what is our identity and how do we express it?
AB: When you say "post-national society," what do you mean?
HR: I'm paraphrasing Justin Trudeau, who, in 2015, suggested that Canada could be one of the first, if not the first, post-national societies. He was emphasizing that Canada is not just multicultural but also bilingual. We have Quebec and English Canada, and we are home to people from all over the world. He was distinguishing Canada from other places—particularly the U.S., which, at the time, was experiencing heightened rhetoric against refugees and immigration—by suggesting that Canada was different.
LISTEN | What does it mean to be Canadian?
AB: Now, as the U.S. president muses about turning Canada into the 51st state, he seems to be talking about conquering our country.
HR: He certainly is. It's hard not to see it that way, given that he repeatedly posts on social media about Canada becoming the 51st state.
AB: What makes us different from Americans?
HR: There are many differences. Some of the things I just mentioned — being a bilingual and multicultural country, our history of relying on immigration — set us apart. We're a settler country with many newcomers. But when you ask Canadians, particularly English Canadians, how they identify, they often point to institutions like health care and values that tend to be more liberal or socially progressive.
AB: It's been a while since we've had to wrestle with these ideas. What happens when we stop thinking about them?
HR: I think Canada hasn't had a broad national conversation about identity since 1995. It's as though we've lost our muscle memory. However, Donald Trump's rhetoric since December and January has forced Canadians, particularly English Canadians, to reconsider what it means to be Canadian. In Quebec, there's a stronger sense of identity, supported by a healthier media ecosystem and a more unified cultural conversation. In English Canada, our identity is more fragmented.
AB: Why is the identity conversation different for French-speaking Canadians?
HR: Language is a key factor. Radio-Canada plays a central role in promoting the French language and culture. In contrast, English Canada's media is heavily influenced by American television, social media and news outlets, making it harder to maintain a distinct cultural identity.
AB: Is there still an English Canadian story that connects us and should be told?
HR: Absolutely, but I would argue there are multiple stories. Trudeau was somewhat right in recognizing that Canada has "stories" rather than a singular narrative. In the 1970s and 1980s, we called that multiculturalism — the idea that we can be Canadian while maintaining our newcomer identities, different languages, and regional distinctiveness. Canada is a very regional country. The Prairies have a different sensibility than Ontario, the Pacific or Atlantic Canada. While we may have differing values, we share a commitment to institutions, stability, internationalism, and openness to immigration. These commonalities define us as Canadians despite our regional differences.
AB: In the long run, could the current tensions with the U.S. — the tariffs and threats — actually strengthen our identity?
HR: Hopefully. If we can find an opportunity amid the current challenges, it would be to re-articulate what Canada is, what the Canadian identity is, and what our national vision should be. This would involve reinvesting in cultural institutions, supporting distinct social and traditional media, and ensuring that we produce our own television, literature, and plays rather than being subsumed into a broader American narrative.
AB: Do you think we'll ever get there?
HR: I think we will. Decades ago, the Massey Commission highlighted the importance of institutions like the CBC and Radio-Canada in shaping Canadian culture. We will likely continue having these discussions, though the solutions may look different from those of the past. I'm confident that we will work toward a more unified English Canadian identity while recognizing the distinctiveness of Quebec within Canada.