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Top 10 Fictional Canadians for Canada Day

By Corey Atad | Lists | July 1, 2014 |

By Corey Atad | Lists | July 1, 2014 |


I know all you Americans are going to have your day to celebrate later this week, but today is July 1st, and that means only one thing: Canada Day! That’s right, today is the day that we celebrate the confederation of Canada on July 1st, 1867, with the enactment of the British North America Act. Our beautiful country is 147 years old and doesn’t look a day over 136.

To commemorate this wonderful occasion I thought it fitting to put together a list of The Top 10 Fiction Canadians. These are the Canadian characters from books, TV shows, movies and comics that make us proud. So without further ado…

The Top 10 Fictional Canadians

10. Danny Baker - 30 Rock

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As you’ll soon see in this list, we Canadians love us some self-depricating humour. And yes, that’s “humour” spelled with a “u.” Danny Baker was a short-lived character on 30 Rock, but he left an impression with his pronunciation of works like “about” and “out.” He’s also super good looking in that plaid shirt, and that’s got to count for something.

9. The Cross-Dressing Lumberjack - Monty Python’s Flying Circus

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Okay, fine, there’s not much to this “Canadian” character except a series of stereotypes, but those stereotypes are hilarious, and the song is catchy as hell:

You really can’t argue with that kind of brilliance, and Michael Palin makes for a great honourary Canadian. Again, that’s “honourary” with a “u.”

8. Seth Bullock - Deadwood

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Going the sexy route again with this one. I mean really, Timothy Olyphant playing a Canadian? And a Canadian in the Old West? And a U.S. Marshal? Obviously amazing. A great Canadian character, no question. (Though not technically fictional.)

7. Scott Pilgrim - Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

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Scott Pilgrim is one of the best comic characters I’ve ever read, and the fact that he’s Canadian only helps matters. He’s the ultimate Toronto slacker hipster. Completely relatable, even scarily so. He’s also a very realistic Canadian in that his Canadian-ness certainly defines him, but it’s not commented on too much. Bonus points for casting a Torontonian (Michael Cera) to play him in the movie.

6. Alison Hendrix - Orphan Black

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I suppose I could’ve put all of the clones from Orphan Black on here, or Tatiana Maslany, an actress so talented I sometimes think she must be a fictional creation herself. But no. Let’s get real. Alison is the best character on the show by a mile. Only Felix comes close, and it’s no wonder that the great dream is of an Alison/Felix spin-off.

5. Bob and Doug McKenzie - SCTV

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There’s embracing stereotypes and then there’s embracing stereotypes. Bob and his brother Doug are the ultimate Canadians. Working class, goofy drunks who call each other hosers and sing about the Great White North while wearing toques and plaid? Perfect. Their movie wasn’t all that great, but the sketches on SCTV remain a cherished part of the Canadian heritage.

4. Robin “Sparkles” Scherbatsky - How I Met Your Mother

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She’s the butt of so many Canada jokes on How I Met Your Mother, but she holds a special place in my heart. The Robin Sparkles video for “Let’s Go to the Mall” is still one of the greatest things to ever fictionally come out of Canada. It’s even got a Brian “Father of Ben” Mulroney reference!

Robin also taught Americans about Tim Hortons and other important pieces of Canadiana. Basically, she was doing God’s work on U.S. television.

3. Terrence and Phillip - South Park

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Fart jokes. Canadians love them. It’s a fact. Need I say more?

2. Wolverine - X-Men

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The most badass Canadian ever. He’s practically immortal. He’s got claws that come out of his fists. He’s been a comic book star for decades and a movie star played by a constantly shirtless Hugh Jackman for more than a decade now, and we couldn’t be more proud. How many Canadian characters do you know who get to headline several blockbuster action films? Worlverine has got it all. There really aren’t many better fictional Canadians out there. In fact, there’s only one …

1. Anne Shirley - Anne of Green Gables

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Anne Shirley, the loveable redhead from PEI (that’s a Canadian province), is a stalwart of Canadian culture. She’s been entertaining children and families around the world for more than a century, ever since debuting in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel. She’s plucky and kind, silly and smart, bubbly and fun, and her adventures in growing up have inspired millions of people. Anne of Green Gables is the Canadian we all aspire to be, and for that alone she deserves the No. 1 spot.


You can follow Corey Atad on Twitter, or listen to his Mad Men podcast, Not Great, Pod!