Please forgive this rant, but sometimes I get the impression from Torontians of non-British heritage that they think we Anglo-Canadians have no culture or traditions. I can assure you, we do! Unfortunately, without a huge pop-culture industry to project it, new-arrivals to Canada often don't see it, especially if they never leave Toronto. My Portuguese -Canadian wife was certainly guilty of this. She assumed that Anglo-Canadians were just like the people they saw on American TV. Whenever I leave Toronto, I get a kick out of seeing and hearing Canadianisms that were so familiar to me as a kid, but that I don't hear so much, expecially since I married into a Portuguese family.
Outside of Toronto, a LOT of people really do talk like Don Cherry! Certainly in my family, they do!
We always had jellied salad at any important meal, as well as sweet pickles in a bowel in the middle of the table (olives are for Italians!)
Bread rolls should be soft and sweet -- NEVER crusty!
Rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream is a classic!
You should always have some squares and cookies in a round tin in the pantry for company (preferably all oat based!)
A church luncheon was a fraud without cream cheese sandwiches, done on crustless bread and then rolled into a spiral.
Our houses were furnished with lots of oak and pine. I didn't see much fancy dark mahogany as a kid. I also remember lots of flower patterns and home-stitched sofa pillows.
And then, of course, there was that "never make a fuss" attitude that pervaded all social interactions. Don't talk too much -- let others speak. Modesty above all! Never act self-important! Fancy clothes and cars are fine for high falootin' movie stars, but not for someone from ....... (insert name of Canadian town.)
Such a sober culture! I can see how it lacks a certain appeal for those used to a little more permissiveness and flare!
But it's our old-Ontario culture and I'm rather fond of it!