Beaver vs. Polar Bear as the Canadian National Emblem...a Very Short Debate
72The Beaver "A Dentally Challenged Rodent"?
That is what a Canadian Senator appointed to our Parliament called our national emblem. As a Canadian, I think that is derogatory. Apparently, it is widely reported, the good senator also went on to call the little critter a "19th century has-been". Well, I never!
She wants to modernize and revamp our national emblem, the beaver and make the polar bear our "new" national emblem.
Okay, eh, that industrious buck-toothed "rodent" is responsible for preserving the natural habitats of our wildlife through it's habit of damming streams and maintaining complex ecosystems. In other words, the beaver is a "green" emblem... "19th century has-been"...I beg to differ. Speaking of "has-been"...it is ironic that the polar bear is flirting with extinction!
The beaver was the reason fur traders mapped the great Canadian frontier. The valuable pelts of this animal, which were the "height of fashion in Europe", created the fur trade, which in turn created wealthy fur traders and the iconic Hudson's Bay Company, which created a stampede to settle Canada. Millions of beavers gave up their lives to create the Canadian identity. That should be worth something!
Beaver vs. Polar Bear
According to Senator Nicole Eaton, the polar bear is more representative of Canada.
She would have the beaver replaced as the national emblem by the polar bear. This has created a controversy. Canadians, normally quiet have been responding on blogs and providing reasons why we should keep the beaver as our icon.
We love that funny looking rodent that has teeth that keep growing and has a funny leather paddle for a tail. It is an animal given to engineering feats... building dams, creating ponds and a huge houses for their families to winter in. It is a regular little lumberjack, that can fell large trees without getting caught under them.
Is this Even an Issue?
While a few commenters have said that a polar bear might be okay, it seems like the beaver is the favorite. Why one of our politicians has decided to even consider replacing the beaver is beyond me.
Are there not more pressing issues than trying to get a “cuter” national symbol?
Yeh, the polar bear is cuter, but we are not the only country to have polar bears! Pulleeze!!! Besides Coca-Cola already has the cute polar bears as it's emblem.
So the beaver is not so cool. Big deal. The beaver is a Canadian icon…the polar bear is not. Polar bears only range on the fringes of Canada. Polar bears are an endangered species.
One commentator even said a more appropriate symbol instead of a polar bear would be the….blackfly Yep, we have a lot of those...only in spring though...LOL...Canadians!
What about the moose?
The Debate was a No Brainer...
In the time it took,, from the moment I heard about this today; to being motivated to write about saving the beaver as a Canadian emblem; checking the details and finally writing this Hub; it was debated in the Senate and the beaver was voted worthy of retaining it`s place as the Canadian Emblem. Thank goodness, for democracy...Whew!
I haven't seen that in any blogs yet...but you heard it here first!
I am adding a short poll for convenience below... an informal poll to see what people think...
Have Your Say...
Which emblem would you pick?
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- Funny (3)
- Awesome (1)
- Beautiful
- Interesting (1)
CommentsLoading...
Go Beavers Go!!! Don't take that literally, as I meant it as a cheer to keep the beavers.
Hi Rochelle! You don't have to be Canadian to weigh in. Indeed, the loon is iconic Canadian and of course we have the Canada Goose... lot of choices really...but I like the beaver just fine!
Thanks for your opinion! Cheers!
Hi Susan! The National emblem applauds your support! We don't want our emblem messed with!
Thanks for commenting! Cheers!
If you threaten a beaver, it builds a dam and a bridge.
Threaten a polar bear and you are soon meat for its fridge.
I vote for the beaver, Scribener.
As the song says "Two beavers are better than one"
I find it a silly thing to have been brought up right now.
you are right! This debate was a very unpatriotic issue to bring up in the first place.
The polar bear is only found in a few locations in Canada and are on other continents as well...it does not make sense as the Polar Bear is not unique to us...Canadians. The hard working beaver, who never gives up by the way (just ask any farmer across this country who has done war with them!) is (I believe) in most of our provinces country wide!
The Beaver says Canada!
And I'm proud of him. I don't think we should change something just for the sake of changing...Not Everything NEEDS updating! Thanks for posting this, even if it did get my ire up. Blessings to you Ulrike Grace
Hooray for the Beaver. Changes is good, but not this time...What for? And if the Beaver had lost, he might have said "DAMN IT"! Fun, Educational, Read, Scribenet.
Keep the Beaver!
drbj, uninvited writer,Ulrike Grace, b. Malin and darc....
Yay.....beavers need all the support they can get
Thanks for your comments! Cheers!
i think the beavers should stay just like they have for the last decade
Thank you, Tommy for your input. The majority seem to agree! Cheers!
Hi All - I posted a pro-Beaver Blog at OhCanadiana.com - check it out! :)
TrueNorthSource...love your photo of our National Emblem...I think he/she is much cuter than the polar bear!
Rochelle Frank 6 months ago
I'm not Canadian, so this doesn't count, but aren't Polar Bears endangered? Perhaps on the edge of extinction? What would that do for national pride? I don't think they are necessarily cuter than beavers. What about the loon? Don't you have those on some money already?