Looking back over 50 years, it was a very brave move, emigrating from Britain to Canada. Anne crossed the Atlantic to join me here, feeling that she was leaving ‘home’ forever. As air travel has expanded we have been back to Britain many times since. The world has become much smaller. It is now much easier to travel to distant parts of the globe.

Doug Skeates Two offspring from California and Yokohama, visiting home, were discussing how others saw Canada and their own perception of this country having lived abroad. Certainly each of us coming back after years away saw Canada as far different from what we thought we knew of it many years earlier. This is a common experience for most who have lived abroad. Folk, be they from U.K., Japan or elsewhere, find home territory a different place to return to.

Generally Canadians are a self satisfied people and the country is positively looked upon by people from other lands. Particularly we are seen as living in a land of opportunity with a good standard of living and politically stable. It would come as a surprise to them if they delved more deeply into negative aspects. Which country contributes most to air pollution? Some are aware of Canada’s love affair with Alberta’s tar sands. For those who have traveled across the country a stretch of highway 11 through the devastated lands around Sudbury doesn’t leave one with positive vibes about how we have misused our resources.

It’s a different story when we look back. At one time we were known as a haven from the brutal treatment of slaves in a neighbouring country which is now considered as being the ‘land of the free’, via the underground railroad. Our attitude toward refugees will long be remembered in terms of our provision of a safe home for over 60,000 boat people from S.E. Asia (conveniently forgetting our history of turning back boatloads of European folk escaping from Nazi terrorism). The efforts of the Pearson era providing peacekeeping forces around the world were seen as a positive characteristic of Canadians.

Right now Canada has a lot of catching up to do as present policies are something less than progressive. Representatives from most other countries condemned those from Canada when they showed no recognition in Copenhagen toward a looming climate change calamity. Following the American example Canada was seen as being money motivated but uncaring as far as global warming was concerned.

How important is the view of foreigners toward Canada, or for that matter, where do we stand in the view of Canadians here or abroad? Our policies have turned inwards overlooking the fact we have global responsibilities as well. Probably our greatest motivation for world recognition is the fact we wish to be seen as likeable people. In fact it is greatly to our advantage to have Canada exhibited as a country well worth visiting or a place to bring up families in healthy, happy, secure and stable conditions.

No doubt for many Canada is seen as a country which provides opportunity for financial prosperity, Our immigration policies are based on high qualifications. Unfortunately for many highlyeducated immigrants Canadian professional associations often don’t accept foreign qualifications leaving many worthy applicants stuck with driving cabs or in menial jobs. It is fortunate that most in subsequent generations often are prosperous to a much greater extent.

The attitude of people around the world is basic to the success of our tourism industry. Over and above financial considerations we have so much to offer visitors beyond the obvious features of Niagara Falls and picturesque water courses. The land of Ann of Green Gables in P.E.I. is a drawing card for many Japanese while the Bracebridge home of Dr. Bethune is sought by many from China. But over and above such specifics the fact that we are well liked, trusted and are tolerant of folk of different races or religions around the world makes Canada appealing to many planning their holidays.

This is a characteristic to be built upon to ensure Canada continues to be a comfortable country to consider visiting or possibly to live.