On a recent trip to Canada me and my family re-connected with old friends and family. Maybe it's just my friends who live in Canada but I noticed a definite lack of interest in world affairs, an inability to engage in political dialogue (are all Canadians so uninformed about the world around them?)

Is there too much flouride in the water? Are Canadians loathe to express their personal opinions for fear of treading on the 'opinions' of others? Has the liberalism of Canada been accompanied with the fascism of political correctness? to a point where no one actually says anything?

I was disappointed to find that very few Canadians I met were able to engage in conversations that dealt with more than their day to day lives.

obviously this is probably an unfair tarnishing with the same brush, but it was my experience. Has 'tolerance' and 'acceptance' created a population who actually say nothing for fear of offending others? Are canadians that thin skinned?

some are very uncomfortable with what they view as confrontation. They are so keen to not offend that you actually dont know what point they are trying to make at times. This can be especially difficult in the workplace. Others are not so like this..... I have met some very direct Canadians too

A sweeping generalisation as you point out, but pretty much, yes.

I have always found Canada to to be a bit parochial......you can have world turmoil a boiling and the headline of the local paper will read "cyclist chased by bear" ....I was in Calgary when that happened! Canadians really don't like to upset you in general, so will shie away from topics that might get heated.

Pity they didn't think about that before they elected their last PM. More discussion and debate was required. 'S**t don't stink does not in any apply to Canada and its often up to its neck in corruption.

Your point about the media deflecting the public interest towards base and irrelevant stories is much the same here. We have way more tabloid press than Canada could dream of.

Canadians know about America. Ask them about Disney parks or outlet malls and they'll be able to chat all day.

You left out Cuba, Mexico and the DR. Other than that, you are very close to the mark. I do know folk who take an interest in the world but they are generally immigrants, mining execs or military. Most cradles have little interest in anything beyond their own community/street/kitchen table. The same is probably true of many parts of the world.

...including vast tracts of the UK I suspect.

Canada is just like America. There is interest in local news, North American sports and *insert name of vapid reality tv show here*. Understanding or appreciation of the wider world? Not so much.

Received wisdom on this here board is that Canadian politics is boring and not worth concerning onself with. That's true to an extent but recent events with alledgedly crackhead mayors, crooked senators, government denials and general malfeasance have made things a little more interesting of late.

That hasn't been my experience. While it is true that their configurations of education-influence are mainly focused on local and national concerns, I find that ordinary people while ignorant about other countries are very willing and open to learn. In Canada there seems to be a pathological resistance to anything outside the immediate.

Would it be fairer then to say that Canada is just like rural Nebraska?

Even in rural areas, I find the yanks far more secure and open people. Here, there seems to be a fear of anything that's not from their immediate family. And, this concept is even more pronounced at a broader cultural level. imo of course.

The mayor smokes crack. Summer still has not arrived and the Leafs crashed out of the Play Offs spectacularly.

What else is going on in the world?

*sticks head in and groans*

Not gonna enjoy it

One thing I found liberating when we emigrated was the fact that I didn't feel the need to follow UK politics as I didn't live there anymore and as I was a new immigrant to Canada I didn't feel the need to follow Canadian politics either. Maybe your friends are focusing on what really matters - living their lives to the full rather than wasting it talking about boring politics? We spend so much time doing activities as a family out here that I don't have the time or inclination to take an interest in what any politicians have to say. They are all much the same anyway My understanding is that the percentage of people that vote in Canada sits at around 60% compared to the UK where less than 20% turn out so maybe it's more of an Expat thing than a Canadian thing as the Canadians I know seem to be more politically astute than the Brits I know.

How do you know that the Canadians are politically astute if you don't waste your time talking about politics with them?