I think what makes Canada great is... Maritimers
!!! Actually, East Coasters... gotta get my Newfoundland Neighbours in there too! Their laid back ways and friendliness are contagious.
It's late, I'm a little punchy, but here's a shout out to the rest of you as well... soooo
Quebec: Old Québec City, the language, poutine, maple syrup, and The Habs (before you Hab haters jump in - ya gotta admit - incredible history and accomplishments)
Ontario: my adopted province, the diversity of people, small towns, The Leafs, The Senators, the 5 Apple Stores within a 40 minutes drive of each other
For the rest, I've gotta go with what I've read/heard as I've never been...
Manitoba: home province of Jonathan Toews (leading my Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup in almost 50 years), The Royal Winnipeg Ballet (oldest in Canada apparently), The Royal Canadian Mint
Saskatchewan: best wheat in the world, farmland to feed the rest of us, provincial motto: "Multis e gentibis vires" (From many peoples, strength)
Alberta: Oil capital of Canada (which helps "fuel" the rest of our industries), The Calgary Stampede, Banff, Jasper - never been, hear both are incredible, The Oilers, The Flames, and oh almost forgot - Dinosaurs
British Columbia: Terry Fox, Pacific Redwoods, an amazing 2010 Olympics, The Beachcombers, and some of the best salmon I've ever eaten, The Canucks (If Chicago Can't win the Stanley Cup this year I hope you do)
The Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut (sorry to put you together, but hey - I put the whole East Coast together): Farley Mowat, The Gold Rush, Polar Bears, The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service (The Bard of The Yukon)
I recently discovered that the name Nunavut means "our land" and I think that this best sums up what makes Canada great. I was born in Charlottetown PEI - "The Cradle of Confederation". When I think of the rest of Canada, it's always as "our Alberta", "our New Brunswick", etc. PEI will always be "my home province", but I like to think that the rest of you look at PEI as "our PEI"... Canada is "ours", Like anything valuable that belongs to us, we should cherish it, look after it, and try to keep it in the best shape we can.
Cheers,
Spudmac