Jodeman's Oh Canada

Made in Canada October, 1995 - With the 1995 Referendum right around the corner, everywhere you looked, there were flags.. Red/white flags.. blue/white flags.. big flags.. small flags.. huge flags hanging off the sides of buildings. There were as many Fleur de Lys flying as there were Canadian Flags.

The Referendum brought out the patriotism out of large numbers of Quebecers who, until that point, were reluctant to be seen outside with a Canadian Flag for fear of Separatist backlash. There are still many people who want to but are hesitant to fly a Canadian Flag on their balconies on Canada Day for fear of a rock thrown through their windows.

The October 1995 "NO!" rally in Montreal was a day that I truly felt 100% close to the red and white flag. Everywhere I looked, there were flags waving. The entire downtown Montreal core was closed to cars and was overrun with waving flags. While I wasn't able to make it down to the gathering at the Place du Canada, I was able to enjoy the waves of flag waving Canadians overrunning St. Catherine Street in downtown Montreal.

Particular memories of that day include:

    • The Indian Guy wearing a suit of sewn together Canadian & Quebec flags signifying keeping the country together.
    • The huge 2-3 story high flag hanging off the building at Peel St & du Maisonneuve.
    • Large Canada Flag & Quebec Flag hanging off the sides of Le Chateau Champlain Hotel.
    • Another huge Canadian flag being carried down Ste. Catherine St.
    • Thousands upon Thousands of different Ethnic groups gathering together to keep their country together.
    • Spontaneous singing of "Oh Canada!"
    • Busloads of red/white flag waving Canadians from other provinces.
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