i've often thought, as i'm apt to do, that this theory is more true in the sense of what is reflected in the national media of each nation. by media i mean not just television and radio because as you will know, basstrap, the popular media of the two nations is largely the same.
rather, i refer to festivals, parades, concert experiences and the like. something like caribana, for instance, is unrivaled in north america. in my experience canada enjoys a much more diversified array of these than our neighbours to the north.
whereas i've many friends from both american or canadian citizenry who have either adopted a north american lifestyle or successfully incorporated the heritage into thier 'new' being. such distinctions are not made along racial, ethnic or cultural lines in large part, as per my experience.
in other words the canadian pride which is derived from our 'mosaiic' is largely a falsehood in my opinion. we are more culturally diverse in our experiences, but nowhere near to the degree we like to advertise.
canadians should pride themselves on being more accepting of many rather than this mosaic design of society.
Cuz Canadian flags plastered all over ones luggage/backpack/etc. are apparently de rigeur for Canucks abroad. 
(not to imply anything about you flag-waving canadians or anything...) Or because I'm not really that patriotic.
)
Then again, I was denied the dubious pleasure of growing up here and benefiting from the public school system.... 
