Roy Macgregor An Unknown Country

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Over the course of its history, Canada is often considered a safe haven for a large amount of people from places such as the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and possibly the United States after this November’s election. In the article An Unknown Country by Roy Macgregor, the idea that Canada is formed from countless different cultures, and a leader in acceptance and tolerance is a central notion brought forth, despite discussing some blemishes in it’s past in welcoming others. In essence, the main idea that he depicts in the article is that Canada is lacking a distinct Canadian identity, but what makes us Canadian is that we are made up of a wide variety cultures that came from other countries, and we pride ourselves in that concept.

While some could argue that Canada has several inspirations that are especially Canadian, such as hockey and maple syrup, this alone is not enough to establish an identity that it can call it’s own. So, as a result, Macgregor argues
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He states that “We take enormous pride, with good reason, in our acceptance and tolerance. Much of it came out of necessity”(36). The author argues that immigrants quickly realize how Canada prides itself and values acceptance and tolerance of others. Consequently, Macgregor claims they also realize that they are compelled to act the same way not just to survive, but also to consider themselves truly Canadian. On the last lines of his piece, Macgregor makes a bold statement that ultimately sums up his main argument. He explains “Welcome indeed, to the place we are enormously pleased---even if we don’t always show it---to call the best home on earth”(37). The author reasons that Canada has a large variety of cultures that came to accept each other over time, and that we boast about that despite particullar instances in which it is not

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