Canada motto ignores the Arctic Ocean

Speaking of slogans, some MPs in northern Canada feel that the country’s motto, “From sea to sea,” referring to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is misleading and should be altered to reflect Canada’s third coast on the Arctic Ocean. They want the line tweaked to “From sea to sea to sea.” “I really do think this is something Canadians can rally around,” says one of the politicians, who may be overstating it. We thought this was a purely symbolic notion, but then we read that Canada’s prime minister actually has promised to spend $5.3 billion over five years to defend Canada’s northern waters against possible sovereignty claims by Americans, Russians and Danes. “From sea to sea to sea” may sound silly, but maybe it will save Canada from being invaded from the north.

—Posted by Tim Nudd

March 13, 2006 | Permalink