"The Greatest Canadian" (2004) More at IMDb Pro »TV mini-series

I have to agree that this list is somewhat of an embarrassment.

This show was a bit of a shock to me. As Canadians we pride ourselves on our nation as a whole. Though we do have many Canadians who distinguish themselves, we have a tendency to defer to a national gestalt rather than single out one specific person. We pride ourselves on our clean air, safe cities, our cultural mosaic, and our health care system; that, despite its problems, is still the envy of many nations.

To celebrate a past or present citizen who contributed to this nation is something that is long past due. However, to rate them like a pop music billboard chart is absurd.

Within that top ten format the selections are a tapestry of the distinguished and the ridiculous. Many have objected that Don Cherry is on this list. I have to agree. Cherry, no doubt is a Canadian icon. It just seems ironic that an illiterate, ex-hockey coach is sitting pretty at number seven when Mordacai Richler, Margaret Atwood and - gasp - Glenn Gould are absent!

Perhaps we should take a long hard look at our nation the next time we choose to rate the contribution of it citizens. Perhaps we should look past the fleeting pop culture consumerism that has engulfed us to see what has got our nation to where it is, and perhaps a clearer picture of where we are heading.

Stephen McDonald May 19, 2005 Whitby, Ontario, Canada.