In our view: Our similarities surpass our differences

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So who are we?

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We're Canadian, of course, but defining that concept is notoriously difficult, perhaps because we're more concerned with who we aren't than who we are.

But on Canada Day, we will try to put our finger on the illusive Canadian identity.

It's safe to say we are probably the most middle-of-the-road, inoffensive, unaggressive, polite, scandal-free, war-free, cautious and "normal" G8 or G20 nation there is. We don't pick fights, we don't show off, we don't shoot off our mouths, we don't live dangerously and we don't have many hangups a case of beer won't fix.

Some would suggest another word for that: boring.

Even our history is a little boring. We didn't come into being after a triumphant battle like that of the United States. In our case, four colonies reluctantly agreed to join for several reasons, one of which was to protect themselves from the growing threat presented by the United States.

On July 1, 1867, there weren't a lot of celebrations. It was more a marriage of convenience. Yes, as nation birthings go, ours was a bit hum-drum.

But 142 years later, let's look at it this way: If you call invading other countries, executing prisoners, bribing governments and suspending civil liberties exciting, then yes, we are boring.

However, were you to ask someone from one of those more "exciting" countries which they prefer, we're betting they'd pick boring over life-threatening.

Perhaps stable is a better description than boring. Canada has an international reputation for stability - not much violent crime, no armed factions trying to wrestle control of the government. Not a lot of crazy, scary stuff happens here.

We do have our challenges. Perhaps the one that tests us most is our sheer size. We are too big to be a country with one identity. There are too many cultures, languages, regions and landforms to allow us a lot of continuity. Just go visit Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver or even Banff, take in all the different cultures and languages and ask yourself, what do I have in common with these Canadians.

Not much at all - on the surface.

But we believe what unites us is the pursuit of and the appreciation for some of those things listed above: stability, peace, caution, politeness, normalcy.

It doesn't much matter if we don't all look alike, share the same history or speak the same language. If we all want the same things, we will pursue them en masse, whether it is through the election of a government, the adoption of a certain lifestyle or the celebration of traditions.

As Maritime cities go, Fredericton is rather multicultural - a snapshot, if you will, of the differences we see across the country. We believe that just like the nation we celebrate today, our city and its residents share a passion for the same things: a happy life lived in a community that cares about its residents, that cares how it treats each other, that seeks harmony and stability.

So today, do something truly Canadian: Say hi to a stranger, do a favour for a neighbour and celebrate the fact that our differences do not outshine our similarities.