O Canada Week: Uncover the Rich Tapestry of Canadian History and Culture
Posted on March 6, 2026
by Amy H
The arrival of March augurs many things: March madness brackets. Daylight saving. A bad time for Julius Caesar to make long-term plans. But also, don’t forget that the first week of March is O Canada Week in Toledo, a chance for us to celebrate our neighbo(u)rs to the north. Here are some fantastic books on the history and culture of this beautiful country. And if you’re really that into March madness you’re welcome to create your own Canada Bracket and bet on whether Robertson Davies is favored to defeat poutine in a buzzer-beating overtime.
canada by Diane Lemieux
Think you know Canadians because of their similarities to Americans? Well, think again, eh? This handy little guide takes you to the heart of this diverse nation. It unpacks the key chapters in their history, describes the values that Canadians hold dear, and the attitudes that you are likely to encounter. It introduces you to the people and describes their way of life, at home, work, and play.
america, but better by Chris Cannon
As American elections increasingly resemble a production of CATS performed by actual cats, U.S. citizens are looking for a new leader. That leader is Canada, and they want your vote for president of the United States. Since launching their viral video campaign in January, the Canada Party has been covered around the world, including CNN, BBC, the Huffington Post, and German State Television. America, but Better: the Canada Party Manifesto, balances the doctrine of American exceptionalism with a dose of Canadian humility and common sense to secure Canada as the new leader of the free world, by proxy. Their promises: One gay couple will be allowed to marry for every straight couple that gets divorced. The phrase "job creators" will be changed to "job creationists," and they will be given seven days to actually create some. Corporations will still be people, but if they can't provide a birth certificate they will be legally obligated to care for your lawn. Corners will be installed in the Oval Office, and timeouts given to congressmen who can't play nice. Devoted to restoring America to its former glory, the Canada Party will soon have the whole world chanting, "Yes We Can-ada."
canada
Get ready for a road trip like no other and discover unforgettable drives across Canada that range from 1-day escapes to adventures of a week or more: discover epic ocean views along the Sea to Sky Highway; spot black bears in the remote north of Vancouver Island; and feast on fresh oysters and artisanal pizzas in Newfoundland.
a short history of canada by Desmond Morton
Most of us know bits and pieces of history but would like to be more sure of how it all fits together. The trick is to find a history that is so absorbing you will want to read it from beginning to end. With this book, Desmond Morton, one of Canada’s most noted and highly respected historians, shows how the choices we can make at the dawn of the 21st century have been shaped by history. In one compact and engrossing volume he pulls off the remarkable feat of bringing it all together – from the First Nations before the arrival of the Europeans to the failure of the Charlottetown accord and Jean Chretien’s third term as prime minister. His acute observations on the Diefenbaker era, the effects of the post-war influx of immigrants, the flag debate, the baby boom, the Trudeau years and the constitutional crisis, the Quebec referendum, and the rise of the Canadian Alliance all provide an invaluable background to understanding the way Canada works today.
feast by Lindsay Anderson
In the midst of a camping trip in Squamish, British Columbia, Lindsay Anderson and Dana VanVeller decided they wanted an adventure: a road trip across the entire country, with the purpose of writing about Canada's food, culture, and wealth of compelling characters and their stories. Over 37,000 kilometres later, and toting a "Best Culinary Travel Blog" award from Saveur magazine, Lindsay and Dana have brought together stories, photographs and recipes from across Canada in Feast: Recipes and Stories from a Canadian Road Trip. The authors write about their experiences of trying whale blubber in Nunavut, tying a GoPro to a fishing line in Newfoundland to get a shot of the Atlantic Ocean's "cod highway," and much more. More than 80 contributors--including farmers, grandmothers, First Nations elders, and acclaimed chefs--have shared over 90 of their most beloved regional recipes, with Lindsay and Dana contributing some of their own favourites too. You'll find recipes for all courses from Barley Pancakes, Yukon Cinnamon Buns, and Bannock to Spot Prawn Ceviche, Bison Sausage Rolls, Haida Gwaii Halibut and Maritime Lobster Rolls; and also recipes for preserves, pickles and sauces, and a whole chapter devoted to drinks.
the cambridge companion to canadian literature
This fully revised second edition of The Cambridge Companion to Canadian Literature offers a comprehensive introduction to major writers, genres and topics. For this edition several chapters have been completely rewritten to reflect major developments in Canadian literature since 2004. Surveys of fiction, drama and poetry are complemented by chapters on Aboriginal writing, autobiography, literary criticism, writing by women and the emergence of urban writing. Areas of research that have expanded since the first edition include environmental concerns and questions of sexuality which are freshly explored across several different chapters. A substantial chapter on francophone writing is included. Authors such as Margaret Atwood, noted for her experiments in multiple literary genres, are given full consideration, as is the work of authors who have achieved major recognition, such as Alice Munro, recipient of the Nobel Prize for literature.
ontario & québec
Traverse Ontario & Québec with Lonely Planet's collection of 4 amazing drives. From Toronto to Québec City and beyond, discover small towns and local life. Pick a road trip that works for you, from 1-day escapes to multi-day adventures. Take in diverse landscapes with sparkling lakes, historic towns and city skylines. Fill up on poutine in Québec and relax at Charlevoix.
animation for the people by Charles Solomon
An inside look at the influential and Academy Award–winning animators of the National Film Board of Canada Animation for the People traces the growth of the National Film Board of Canada and its animation artists, highlighting significant films, original visions, and innovative techniques. Through interviews conducted by author Charles Solomon with Board filmmakers and other animation artists, as well as original artwork from the films, readers will discover both the creative process of and the unusual techniques used by this unique brain trust.
canada by Derek Hayes
From the early days of exploration and settlement through the building of a nation to Canada's contribution to the two world wars, this illustrated history of Canada conveys the drama and scope of the nation's past. Through accessible commentary and a wealth of images, readers discover well-known and lesser-known facets of Canadian history, including the story of Canada's first newspaper, the Halifax Gazette; the many railways (besides the Canadian Pacific) that connected people and places; the Canadian bridge that collapsed not once, but twice; and horrific disasters like the Halifax Explosion. He also illuminates the people, the famous, the infamous, and the less well known, from fur traders to politicians, air aces to refugee slaves. From famous images of the country to unknown views of everyday life, here is a visual experience of Canada everyone can enjoy.
colossal canadian failures by Randy Richmond
Did you hear the one about the canal builder who forgot canals need water? The battle where everyone ran away? Or the boat made of ice, and the town that mixed up time? How about the shovel invented for soldiers with a hole in it? Colossal Canadian Failures is a lighthearted look at Canada's unsung heroes the eccentrics, the failures, the misguided, and the just plain overoptimistic who never met an idea they could resist, no matter how crazy. From engineering blunders to business and political failures and more, Colossal Canadian Failures provides a much needed ego boost for anyone who thinks they've said "oops" one too many times.
come from away by Irene Sankoff
This fully illustrated companion volume to the hit Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, featuring the book and lyrics for the first time in print, backstage stories and the real history behind the show's events, character design sketches, and songs that ended up on the cutting room floor. This is the remarkable true story of a small town that welcomed the world. On September 11, 2001, 38 planes and 6,579 passengers were forced to land in the tiny provincial town of Gander, Newfoundland. The local residents opened their arms to the displaced visitors, offering food, shelter, and friendship. In the days that followed, cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.
a traveller's history of canada by Robert Bothwell
This entertaining short history of Canada begins with the first immigrants to arrive well over 15,000 years ago who traveled across a land bridge from Siberia to Alaska. These native cultures saw a succession of Westerners from the early, mainly unsuccessful Viking settlements, to the British and French in later centuries attempting to make life possible on what could be an inhospitable landscape. The European powers brought with them not only a thirst for land but also their own quarrels, which resulted in battles and skirmishes with each other, and with America after its independence. The battles continued into the twentieth century - but only on the cultural and language front between the French and English. The impact of the two world wars and its relationship with its brash neighbor, the U.S., are thoroughly discussed. The book is brought fully up to date with a profile of modern Canada, its successes, present difficulties and a prognosis for the new millennium.
kings of the yukon by Adam Weymouth
Traveling along the Yukon as the salmon migrate, a four-month journey through untrammeled landscape, Adam Weymouth traces the fundamental interconnectedness of people and fish through searing and unforgettable portraits of the individuals he encounters. He offers a powerful, nuanced glimpse into indigenous cultures, and into our ever-complicated relationship with the natural world. Weaving in the rich history of salmon across time as well as the science behind their mysterious life cycle, Kings of the Yukon is extraordinary adventure and nature writing at its most urgent and poetic.
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