Lesson 17: American Influence on Canadian Culture

1. Introduction to American Influence on Canadian Culture

Canada and the United States share the world’s longest undefended border, and with that comes a deep cultural relationship. While Canada is proud of its distinct culture and values, American media, entertainment, and political systems have had a huge influence on the way Canadians live, work, and consume culture. The U.S., with its powerful entertainment industry, economic might, and global reach, often shapes trends and habits that Canadians adopt without realizing they are more American than Canadian.

This lesson will help you understand how American culture has influenced many aspects of Canadian life, from the legal system and media to shopping habits. By the end, you’ll be able to spot the differences between what is truly Canadian and what has been shaped by the powerful influence of our southern neighbor.

2. Things Canadians Think Are Canadian but Are Actually American

Despite Canada’s strong sense of national pride, there are many things that Canadians often think are unique to their country but are actually American in origin. Here are some examples:

• Miranda Rights vs. Charter Rights: Many Canadians assume that when they are arrested, they are read “Miranda rights” like in the U.S., but that’s not true. In Canada, we have Charter rights, which offer protections like the right to remain silent. However, in Canada, unlike the U.S., you don’t have the right to have a lawyer present during police questioning (unless you're under 18)​
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• Thanksgiving: While Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October, this holiday is heavily influenced by American traditions, especially when it comes to big family dinners and shopping sales like Black Friday, which originated in the U.S.​
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• Reality TV: Many Canadians enjoy reality shows like Big Brother Canada and The Amazing Race Canada, but these are based on American formats. The American influence on reality TV shapes what we watch, with many shows being adapted or directly imported from the U.S.​
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• Boxing Day Shopping: Boxing Day is a traditional British holiday, but the shopping frenzy associated with it in Canada mirrors the American Black Friday sales. The focus on big discounts and sales is more reflective of U.S. consumerism​
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• Superheroes: While Canadians might take pride in characters like Wolverine or Deadpool, the superhero genre is predominantly American, dominated by U.S. companies like Marvel and DC. These characters, even when portrayed as Canadian, are products of American pop culture​
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3. Media Influence: American Television and Music in Canadian Homes

American media has a significant presence in Canadian households, influencing what we watch and listen to. Canadian television networks often rely on American shows to fill prime time slots, and American streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu dominate Canadian media consumption. Here’s how U.S. entertainment shapes our media landscape:

• TV and Movies: Popular American TV shows like Friends, The Simpsons, and The Office are staples in Canadian homes, while Hollywood films dominate movie theaters. Even Canadian-produced shows often follow American formats to appeal to broader audiences.

• Music: Many top-charting artists in Canada, like Beyoncé, Drake (though he is Canadian, he rose to fame through American platforms), and Taylor Swift, are American. American pop culture heavily influences Canadian musical trends.

• Hollywood North: While Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto are known as "Hollywood North" due to the large number of American films and TV shows shot there, the content produced is largely American, not Canadian, reinforcing the U.S.'s dominance in media.

4. American Political and Governmental Influence

While Canada and the U.S. have different political systems, American politics often dominates Canadian media and can influence Canadian political culture.

• Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems: In the U.S., the President is both the head of state and the head of government, elected every four years. Canada, on the other hand, has a parliamentary system, where the Prime Minister is the head of government, while the monarch (King Charles III) is the head of state. This system allows the Prime Minister to remain in office as long as they maintain the confidence of Parliament​
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• Influence on Elections: American elections, with their heavy media coverage and dramatic political debates, often overshadow Canadian politics, drawing Canadian attention to U.S. issues. Additionally, the spread of American-style political campaigns (e.g., televised debates, fundraising tactics) has influenced how Canadian elections are conducted.

• Constitution and Rights: The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are frequently cited in Canadian discussions of rights and freedoms. However, Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) is different, particularly in how it balances individual rights with societal needs. For example, Canadians have Charter Rights, not Miranda Rights, and gun rights are far more restricted in Canada than in the U.S.​
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5. American Police System and Gun Culture vs. Canadian Policing

American police practices and gun culture have also impacted how Canadians view law enforcement, but there are key differences between the two systems.

• Federal vs. Local Policing: In the U.S., police forces are highly decentralized, with local police departments, sheriffs, and state police operating separately from federal agencies like the FBI. In Canada, many regions are policed by the RCMP, a federal force that operates in multiple provinces​
  Michael Dyck | Criminal Law
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• Gun Control: In the U.S., gun ownership is widespread due to the Second Amendment. In contrast, Canadian gun laws are much stricter, and gun ownership is less common. This difference in gun culture leads to differing approaches in policing, with Canadian police less likely to encounter armed suspects compared to their American counterparts.

• American Gun Culture in Media: American movies and TV shows often glorify gun use, which can influence perceptions in Canada. However, Canadian gun control laws reflect a more cautious approach to firearms, aiming to prevent violence and promote public safety.

6. Economic Influence: Black Friday and Other American Consumer Trends

American consumer culture, especially through events like Black Friday, has significantly impacted Canadian shopping habits.

• Black Friday: Originally an American shopping tradition tied to U.S. Thanksgiving, Black Friday has now become a major shopping event in Canada. Canadian retailers, influenced by their U.S. counterparts, now offer big discounts and promotions on the same day​
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• Fast Food Chains: American fast food giants like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and KFC have shaped eating habits in Canada, influencing both the availability and the types of fast food Canadians consume.

• Consumerism and Media: American advertising strategies, including aggressive sales and marketing, have influenced Canadian consumer behavior, leading to increased spending around American shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.