After another sleepless night (they are common these days) I stumbled across what may soon be a common commercial on TV these days ( I dunno I don't watch much TV). The premise was "Who is the greatest Canadian".

http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/

Its an idea for a future documentarial show on CBC that will pit the top 10 greatests based on the nominations of the next little while. I haven't made a nomination yet, however. I wanted to get the opinions of this forum first. Perhaps we can cast a forum nomination together.

Who is the greatest Canadian of all time?

Thats a toughy. I really have a hard one on this. I know the most memorable canadians to me. They are the obvious...
-Robert W. Service (the cremation of sam mcgee poem, etc)
-Louis Reil (gotta know Louis if you live in Sk)
-Mackenzie King ( got us through the aftermaths of 2 world wars, talked to his dead dog...)

I think the best way to go about this is to catagorize our answers. So here I go:
Literature:-Robert W Service, L. M. Montgomery, Farley Mowat
Political:-Mackenzie King, Trudeau
Civil Rights/Protest:-Louis Riel
Entertainment: Bryan Adams, Tom Cochrane, Jim Carey, Bob and Doug Mackenzie :D (dave thomas and the other guy whos name i forget), Mike Myers, Alex Trebek
Charity: -Terry Fox
Sports: - Gordie Howe, Patrick Roy, Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hart, Owen Hart
Other:
Noteable Achievments:

As you can see im not entirely well versed on famous canadians. famous canadian moments, yes. But the nominations are on individual canadians. Perhaps this topic will broaden my intellect.

Good luck

if anyone has the time this might help. I found it on the website. Its a list of many many famous canadians

http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/greatcanadians/index.html

For me, the answer is simple. It was Pierre Trudeau. No human has had a greater impact on this nation, in my view, than Pierre Trudeau. His vision of a bilingual, multi-cultural Canada has been implemented everywhere. This vision is now part of our very identity. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a document that is now the cornerstone of our legal system, was also his creation. Unlike our modern leaders, he was a key player on the world stage, with an international personna, looked upon by world leaders for guidance.

His combination of charisma, confidence, and outright arrogance both enthralled us and enraged us.

I think someone said it best when it was once stated that "In Pierre Trudeau, Canada finally has a leader worthy of assassination".

Many people hated Trudeau, others worshipped him. However, in my view, no Canadian has had a greater or more positive impact on the social fabric of this nation.

The Modern Canada we know today, with its tolerance of cultures, almost unquestioned acceptance of Canada's bilingual nature, and flourishing culture of rights is Trudeau's creation.

It is my belief that Canada's culture of tolerance is what makes Canada the envy of the world. It is a culture that evolved thanks mainly to the decisions of Trudeau and his government. (Though, to be truthful, if Lester Pearson had been given the chance, he too might have been an architect of such a Canada as well).

So for me, the answer is Trudeau, hands down. (retreats to his fortified position to await the onslot of angry Albertans)

I believe that the greatest Canadian is an interesting concept to make Canadians aware of all of the famous people who are in fact Canadian. Lots of times we are unaware that a person is in fact Canadian. We often sell ourselves short and think that that person is not a fellow canuck.

Without sounding too sappy, for me the greatest Canadians are my parents. Its true for me they have shaped me as a person and I am who I am because of them.

In fact how can you pick the greatest famous Canadian, there are so many, politicians, musicians, sports stars, teachers, artists etc. etc. etc. they have all shaped our lives in one way or another.

David Suzuki just came to mind....

He may be one of the first loud voices of the coming generation and the choices they make in the world.

hmm, well, in terms of protest poltics, nobody is as influential as Naomi Klein right now. Anti-globalists have all read "NO LOGO". All her articles in the globe and Toronto Star also are widely read by people of poltical stripes. Pierre Berton

Sports, I think alot of people forget about fergie Jenkins. Played for the cubs for years and is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame for all his sucess. Of course though, Gretzky is sure to be in the sports column, nobody has dominated a particular sport the way Gretz has dominated hockey.

In terms of protest/social activism, Naomi Klein could go here as well. Louis Riel is well known, and should get strong consideration. However, there is one person, whom I hate with a passion, but still contributed valuably to social activism in my opinion. Rene Levesque.(I can't believe I just wrote that down for greatest Canadian, oh the irony) It was Levesque who first showed Canadians, that not everything was allright amongst Quebeckers. His determination to get quebec independence showed us the ills of Canadian society, and has created a legacy in Quebec which will last for generations. and b/c I put Levesque on the list, I suppose I should put Manning on the list as well. "The West wants In!" and well Manning did try hard. He may have failed, but utimately, he may have contributed to the merger of Canada's two major conservative parties.

Charitable contributions, both the foxes, Terry and Micheal J. should be given consideration here. Rick Hansen as well. Even Mario Lemieux can easily be put into this category.

I really don't know where to put Peter Gzowski, but he definately deserves to be on the list.

Now, the top Canadian Politically in Canadian History from SS's point of view: Wilfred Laurier, Mackenzie King, Sir John A. Macdonald, Tommy Douglas, J.S. Woodsworth, Tecumseh, Jean Chretien, and finally, Pierre E. Trudeau.

Just my thoughts on Gretest Canadian ever.

Funny you should mention him. I did several papers on Levesque during my undergrad (Poli-Sci Minor). By the end of my research, Levesque was actually a political hero of mine. I admired his integrity, even if I didn't agree with his ultimate goal.

I know I'm not Canadian, but if there's one that stands out for me, it just has to be Bradams. The man is a rock legend.

Does the fact he now makes his year-round home in London, England, have anything to do with your choice? ;)

I was unaware of that. Perhaps an oversight. I actually thought he lived in his native country. Oh well, you learn something new everyday I guess. I'm not that fond of London. It's ok in parts, but tries to accomploish too many things all at once and fails to tend to those issues that need attending to.
But that's a different matter and totally off topic.
Yes - Brian Adams.
The Man himself.
**Rubbish link**

POLITICS:

well, it's sort of a tie. SIr John A. MacDonald for being the first PM (the only conservative politician I like)
and Trudeau. basically the same reasons that bweezy loves him. he's the ballsiest N.A. politician I've ever seen, and he was a visionary taht shaped what maodern Canada IS for us to oooh and ahhh all day at.

SPORTS:

Gretzky. Plain and simple. the man is a legend,

MUSIC:

STOMPIN’ TOM CONNORS 1936-

the hockey song. nuff said


SCIENCE:

ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL 1847-1922

no doubt about it either., his invention (esp. the Telephone) had a huge impact on the way we communicate.

LITERATURE:

I really don't have a favorite canadian writer, but for fame I'd say Margaret Atwood would do just fine.

WAR VET:

BILLY (WILLIAM AVERY) BISHOP 1894-1956

arguably the best fighter pilot for the allies in WWI. shot down 72 planes, won a lot of medals, and was hated by the Germans.

I think there was a newspaper article that said that there would eventually be a "Greatest Person in the World" show (similar to what's happening with "Idol" right now). I don't know if that is just logical deduction, or actually planned. Anyway, I'll try to come up with people not on this thread yet (not necessary "Greatest"):

Wilfrid Laurier, Lester Pearson, Tommy Douglas, Elijah Harper, Thomas D'arcy McGee, J.S. Woodsworth
Doris Anderson, Nellie McClung
Stan Rogers
Issac Brock, Arthur Currie
Northrop Frye, Mordecai Richler
Harry Jerome, Lord Stanley of Preston (hey, he contributed that cup)

Not really sure...

But for Literature, Stephen Leacock and Archibald Lampman come to mind...