Who will be the Greatest Canadian? (Top 10 finalists)

J.D. · Post by **J.D.** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 2:42 pm

The votes have been counted and CBC has released the top 10 finalists for the "Greatest Canadian".

In alphabetical order:

Frederick Banting
He’s known as the man who discovered insulin, bringing new hope to diabetics the world over. Frederick Banting’s groundbreaking research in the early 1920s brought him worldwide acclaim and earned him a lifetime annuity from the federal government, a knighthood in the British crown and Canada’s first ever Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Alexander Graham Bell
History was made when the first words were transmitted via telegraph on March 10, 1876, “Mr. Watson, come here, I need you.” After patenting the invention and staging a demonstration of the telephone at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876, Bell went on to form the Bell Telephone Company in 1877.

Don Cherry
Starting out as a hockey player, then a successful NHL coach, Don Cherry soon found his niche on the television screen. Outspoken, outrageous and at times outlandish – Cherry has been called many things during his 24 years with CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, but he’s never been accused of being at a loss for words.

Tommy Douglas
For more than 50 years, his staunch devotion to social causes, rousing powers of speech and pugnacious charm made Tommy C. Douglas a popular political force. From his first foray into public politics in 1934 to his post-retirement years in the 1970s, Canada’s ‘father of Medicare’ stayed true to his socialist beliefs.

Terry Fox
On the morning of April 12, 1980, Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope. Fox’s journey took him through the Maritimes, Quebec, and Ontario, until he stopped just outside of Thunder Bay. He had run 5,376 kms, and by February 1981, raised $24.17 million. Fox died, with his family beside him, on June 28, 1981. That September, the first Terry Fox Run was held.

Wayne Gretzky
He is the greatest scorer in NHL history, breaking over five-dozen records and racking up nearly 3,000 points. He’s won four Stanley Cups and has held or shared 61 NHL records. He serves on countless charities and his foundation helps disadvantaged children from North America participate in hockey.

Sir John A. Macdonald
Macdonald is best known as the founding father of Canada, who united the French and the English and who facilitated the construction of Canadian Pacific Railway. The characteristics that made him such an effective leader are the same ones that define Canada as a nation.

Lester B. Pearson
During his five years in office Pearson oversaw the introduction of the Canada Pension Plan, national Medicare, the Bilingualism and Biculturalism Commission, a national labour code, and the Maple Leaf flag. The crowning achievement was his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1956.

David Suzuki
As the host of CBC’s The Nature of Things and the author of more than 30 books, David Suzuki has been called a ‘gladiatorial geneticist’ who mixes education with entertainment. The passionate Suzuki has earned a well-deserved reputation as an environmental guru for two generations of Canadians.

Pierre Trudeau
Trudeau’s unique blend of charisma and fierce intelligence managed to keep him in power for nearly 16 years. During that time, he never wavered from his goal to create a unified and “just” Canada. He worked to promote bilingualism, stamp out separatism and create a Canadian Constitution and Charter of Rights.

You can find the other #11-100 ranked Canadians at http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/greatcanadians/ and you can vote for the greatest Canadian at http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/top_ten/

rrmorton · Post by **rrmorton** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:27 pm

That's gotta be Alexander Graham Bell.

RodeoRanch · Post by **RodeoRanch** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 4:53 pm

If Don Cherry wins, I plan on eating my hat, crapping it out and then mailing it to the CBC in protest.

Faldarian · Post by **Faldarian** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 5:23 pm

Mario Lemieux is only one spot ahead of Bret Hart???? What kind of list is this

Mario's the man.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 6:33 pm

Shatner's listed after Michael J. Fox? Where the hell is Lorne Greene? Where the hell is Sasquatch?

This list is suspect, eh?

EDIT: Where the hell is Leslie Nielsen?

And isn't it time to accept Eugene Levy as a greater talent than John Candy?

And, dammit, where's Robert J. Sawyer?

Discalced · Post by **Discalced** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:06 pm

The answer is obvious:

Odin · Post by **Odin** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:49 pm

rrmorton wrote:That's gotta be Alexander Graham Bell.

You'd think, as the telephone is so significant. Here's the thing though - if Bell had never "invented" the telephone, somebody else surely would have - and quickly. From http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/telephone.html

Antonio Meucci, an Italian immigrant, began developing the design of a talking telegraph or telephone in 1849. In 1871, he filed a caveat (an announcement of an invention) for his design of a talking telegraph. Due to hardships, Meucci could not renew his caveat. His role in the invention of the telephone was overlooked until the United States House of Representatives passed a Resolution on June 11, 2002, honoring Meucci's contributions and work (To read the report search Thomas Legislation, Bill summary and Status, 107th Congress, H Res 269 ).

To make matters even more interesting Elisha Gray, a professor at Oberlin College, applied for a caveat of the telephone on the same day Bell applied for his patent of the telephone. In Historical First Patents: The First United States Patent for Many Everyday Things (Scarecrow Press, 1994), Travis Brown, reports that Bell got to the patent office first. The date was February 14, 1876 . He was the fifth entry of that day, while Gray was 39th. Therefore, the U.S. Patent Office awarded Bell with the first patent for a telephone, US Patent Number 174,465 rather than honor Gray's caveat.

I'm going to go with the insulin guy myself.

Sith

Eightball · Post by **Eightball** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 8:58 pm

Alan Thicke? He's not on there! Where's the justice?

Byrns · Post by **Byrns** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 9:07 pm

Terry Fox or Banting.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 10:57 pm

Eightball wrote:Alan Thicke? He's not on there! Where's the justice?

Damn it, you stole my choice!

I guess this is two votes for Alan Thicke.

CSL · Post by **CSL** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:45 am

A pretty shitty list in my opinion.

Don Cherry???

David Suzucki???

Don't even deserve to BE on the bloody list, sure Don Cherry is a cherished hockey commentator but what exactly has he done to help this country in any meaningful matter?

Same goes for Suzucki.

Wayne Gretzky is a little better, but are we so deluded as a country to believe that Gretzky is one of our best examples? Sure he was the best hockey player of all time and has helped manage our national teams to a string of victories but again.........so what? A hockey player is not the best we can give to the world.

Alexander Graham Bell shouldn't even qualify as well. Born in Scotland live only a paltry amount of time in Canada.

Its a list that is completely out of whack (explained by the fact that it was hand picked by celebrities, I mean Melissa Auf Der Maur???). Where are our explorers, war time leaders and other men who TRUELY made a difference in the world and helped give the name Canada respect across the world?

So I propose a revised list looking something like this, in no particular order.

===================================

Arthur Currie (1875 - 1933)

Canadian general, commander of the Canadian Corps in the Great War on the Western Front. Opposed to British theater commander Alexander Haig over the waste of human life in high attrition attacks. First Canadian to recieve generalship during the conflict. Presided over victories at Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele and Canal du Nord. Given the British Order of the Bath, French Legion d'honneur and United States Distinguished Service Medal.

Cons: Siphoned off 100,000 to buy new uniforms from his regiment

William Lyon Mackenzie King ( 1874 - 1950 )

Tenth Prime Minister of Canada. Held the office three times and the longest of any Prime Minister in the British commonwealth. Guided the country through the late stages of the Great Depression and throughout World War Two. Introduces old-age pensions, appoints first female senator. Asserts Canadian independance throughout the Second World War. Plays part in founding the United Nations. At the end of the war Canada has one of the largest and most experienced armies in the world with a strong airforce and navy to boot.

Cons: Met Herman Goring and Adolf Hitler, saying that "<Hitler>...may be one of the savours of the world. Consulted spirits such as his dead mother and dog. Consription crisis of 1944.

Pierre Elliot Trudeau ( 1919 - 2000 )

Fiftheenth Prime Minister of Canada. Charasmatic intellectual who patriated the Canadian Constitution into the Canada Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Removed laws against homosexuality claiming that "the nation has no business in the bedrooms of its citizens", also liberalized divorce laws. Fought for a more participitory democracy intending for the average citizen to have more say and involvement in government proceedings. Peace initiative between NATO and the Warsaw Pact to begin nuclear disarmlament, increased amount of diplomatic visits to other countries. Believed strongly in federalism. Wished to make country less dependant on the United States. BILINGUALISM!!!

Cons: Declaring martial law during the October Crisis. Grated our southern neighbours during the Nixon and Reagen administrations, he was after all a bastard as Nixon said. Weakened the state of our military.

Nellie McClung ( 1873 - 1951 )

Canadian feminist, politician and social activist. Campaigned for womens suffrage. Published several novels such as Sowing Seeds in Danny. Helped influence the decision that gave women the vote in Manitoba in 1916. The federal government would follow that example the same year. Campaigned for childrens medical care, workers safety and property rights for married women. Served in the Legeslative Assembly of Alberta for five years. Founded several femenist organizations and was a strong influence in several more.

J.S. Woodsworth ( 1874 - 1942 )

Pioneering social democrat. Laid the foundation for the CCF and became its first leader. Methodist minster in 1896, questioned the churchs stance on individual salvation. Campaigned for social reform among such things as compulsory education. Apalled about the condition many of his fellow citizens lived in, argued for a living wage and the creation of a more compasionate state. Pacifist and vocal opponent to conscription in World War One.

Cons: Arrested for libel, a socialist (maybe a con for some of you, but for me personally its a plus)

Doctor Norman Bethune ( 1890 - 1939 )

Canadian physician, medical inventor and humanitarian. Travelled to Spain and then China as a battlefield surgeon. Developed mobile medical units during the Spanish Civil War, laying the foundation for the subsquent invention of MASH units. Developed a practical method of blood transportation in battlefield conditions. Propenent of universal health care. Died in China from infection recieved while treating patients during the second Sino-Japanese war. Mao Zedong makes essay on the doctors final months required reading for the entire Chinese population and calls the doctor "a selfless internationalist, Doctor Bethune served as a role model for every human being"

Cons: Member of the Canadian Communist Party (once again for some, but not me.)

Marshall McLuhan ( 1911 - 1980 )

Educator, academic, philospher and early founder of media studies. Published such works as "Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man" and "The Medium is the Message: An Inventory of Effects". Coined the phrase "The Medium is the Message". Many terms such as global village, software and media ecology.

Sam Steel ( 1849 - 1919 )

Famous member of the North West Mounted Police. Fought against the Fendians during the Battle of Ridgeway, met with Sitting Bull and reached a peaceful agreement with the Native leader in 1881. Put down the Northwest rebellion started by Chief Big Bear with only two dozen mounties. Made the Yukon Gold Rush a orderly event and put into place a system of law that was fair to all. Second in command of the Strathcona's Horse in the Boer War. Objected to the burning of civilian housing and the moving of the populace into concentration camps. Knighted in 1918.

Romeo Dallair ( 1946 to Present )

General, author and humanitarian. Commanding UNAMIR the failed United Nations peacekeeping force in Rwanda (1994). Entered the Canadian military in 1964 and rose to the rank of Brigadier-General by 1989. Assigned to be commander of UNAMIR in 1993 to suprivise the peaceful transfer of the Rwandan government. Tried to stop the genocide between Hutu's and Tutsi's. Requested 2,000 soldiers to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in the country and stop the genocide. WAS REFUSED!!! Instead force was reduced in size. Retired from military in 2000. Currently campaigning for war-affected children and child labour.

The Unknown Canadian Soldier

Buried in Ottawa. A fallen soldier of World War One at Vimy Ridge. Represents the 116,000 soldiers from Canada who have given up their lives in the defense of freedom, justice and democracy in the twientieth century.

====================================

Thats my ten.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 9:23 am

Margaret Trudeau

Odin · Post by **Odin** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 9:38 am

I'd take Banting over several of the people on your list, CSL. I'd give insulin more value than McLuhan's coining phrases.

I did think it was odd that the first list had such a relatively high percentage of sports figures, but I assumed that was just because the list was made by Canadians.

Sith

me3000 · Post by **me3000** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:47 am

LOL. I expected important people in the top 10 - . Pretty pathetic list past Mr Bell.

CSL · Post by **CSL** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:37 pm

Upon second thought I'd take off McLuhan and replace him with Tommy Douglas after seeing George Strombalopousles arguement for him.

jpinard · Post by **jpinard** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 1:08 pm

My vote is Mike Meyers. He's done more for Canada them all of them combined and multiplied by a trillion.

the Nightbreeze · Post by **the Nightbreeze** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 1:26 pm

I wish they could nominate ensembles... I'd put up the whole cast of "The Red Green Show" which airs Saturday nights on my local PBS.

Man that show kills me. Fills in that Tim Allen gap in my life with a good bit more clever than Home Improvement ever did. And gobs more Duct Tape.

CeeKay · Post by **CeeKay** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:05 am

No Jim Carrey? No Rick Moranis? No Bryan Adams?

Top 10 list my skinny white American a$$!!!!

Eightball · Post by **Eightball** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:39 pm

CSL wrote:blah blah blah.

And yet still, no Alan Thicke. What do they teach you kids these days?

CSL · Post by **CSL** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:51 pm

Eightball wrote:
CSL wrote:blah blah blah.
And yet still, no Alan Thicke. What do they teach you kids these days?

Alan Thicke can go fuck himself. Romeo Dallaire pwns his ass.

Jag · Post by **Jag** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:55 pm

No Mr. Geddy Lee or Mr. Peart? No thank you.

Exodor · Post by **Exodor** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:58 pm

No Celene Dion?

For shame!

CSL · Post by **CSL** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:00 pm

Well I went and voted on the CBC website. Go Tommy Douglas!

Biyobi · Post by **Biyobi** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:02 pm

Exodor wrote:No Celene Dion?

For shame!

Our Octopus Overlords will be devouring your kind first.

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:09 pm

Gordon Lightfoot is 20 spots away from Stompin' Tom Connors!?!?!

Belfour but no Marty?!?!?!

How many Cups or Gold Medals has the f'n Eagle won?

What the hell is wrong with you people!?!?!?!?!?!?

Dramatist · Post by **Dramatist** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:22 pm

Geddy Lee barely on the list at 96!!!

How can this be??? They even have Anne Murray ahead of him.

Hrdina · Post by **Hrdina** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:27 pm

Jag wrote:No Mr. Geddy Lee or Mr. Peart? No thank you.

Thanks, you saved me the trouble of checking.

1. Wayne Gretzky
2. Everyone else

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 5:48 pm

CSL wrote: Don Cherry???

[snip]

Don't even deserve to BE on the bloody list, sure Don Cherry is a cherished hockey commentator but what exactly has he done to help this country in any meaningful matter?

His contributions to the youth of Canada. I'll paraphrase, but,"For all the kids out there, DO NOT cut your gloves. Sure you think you have better control, but you can't stickhandle if you have broken wrists..." You can always count on good advice during Coach's Corner.

Don Cherry is my favorite Canadian and I'm an American, so there. It's solved. Tell the CBC to shut 'er down, we have a winner.

RodeoRanch wrote:If Don Cherry wins, I plan on eating my hat, crapping it out and then mailing it to the CBC in protest.

This is voted on right? So you can't blame the CBC for the results.