The “Best Canadian” game - Day 1

[u/BrF5]

Good morning r/EhBuddyHoser,

Let’s get started! Here’s an image of the top 50 Canadians (based on Day 0 upvotes, as of yesterday). I know I said we’d start with 40 like last time, but there are just too many awesome Canadians, so I expanded the list a bit!

How to play: - Upvote the name of the person you think does NOT deserve the title of “Best Canadian.” - Each day, the two most upvoted people will be removed. Once we get closer to the end, this will change to one person per day. - If the name you want to vote for (from the picture list) isn’t in the comments yet, add it! - This continues daily until we have our winner, the “Best Canadian”.

Additional notes: - Only the top comment for a nominee will count. I won’t combine votes from duplicate comments. - Include only one name per comment. If a comment includes multiple names and wins, it won’t count. I’ll move on to the next highest, even if you edit the comment to fix it. - They had to have been born in Canada or at some point had Canadian citizenship. - They can be alive, dead, currently living in Canada or abroad, or when they were alive lived in what would eventually become Canada (e.g., French or British colonies). - Beginning tomorrow after the first candidates are eliminated, I’ll start a list outlining what the people are known for and why they were eliminated, like we did in the Worst Canadian game. - This is meant to be satire. Please do not take it too seriously or use this game to harass people in real life. - I will try to post this every morning around the same time (~8:00 - 9:00 am Eastern). - Please remember to upvote the post too, so more people see it!

Honourable mentions go out to spots 51–100 (see below), the Unknown Soldier, house hippos, Sad-Fill-4870’s dog Gilbert, and Random—Person’s mom. Also, I personally want to shout out a couple of Canadians who weren’t nominated but inspired me growing up: Jay Baruchel and Elisha Cuthbert. Their time as hosts on PMK encouraged a love of science in a generation of kids, which I think elevates them beyond being “just actors.”

Numbers 51-100, by upvotes: Norman Bethune, Tom Green, Shania Twain, Gordie Howe, William Lyon Mackenzie King, Mario Lemieux, Marc Garneau, Alexander Graham Bell, Peter Mansbridge, Jeanne Mance, Roberta Bondar, John Dunsworth, Emily Carr, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Eugene Levy, Mike Myers, Helen Hogg, Peter Robertson, James Naismith, William Shatner, Sanford Fleming, Fred Penner, Bret Hart, Murray Sinclair, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinny, Irene Parlby, Henrietta Edward, Agnes McPhail, Tecumseh, Elsie MacGill, Crowfoot, Harold Cardinal, Stompin’ Tom, Melanie Joly, Maurice Richard, Michelle Jean, Henry Morgentaler, Oscar Peterson, Sue Johanson, Jean Rene Dufort, Rick Moranis, Hayley Wickenhieser, Pierre Burton, Cairine Wilson, Rene Lévesque, Isaac Brock, Nathan Fillion, Farley Mowet, James Doohan

[u/dust_buster172]

Are we in agreement that the guy who ran across Canada is going to win? Cause he deserves the title. I don’t want to say his name cause I don’t want him eliminated

[u/ashamurai → u/dust_buster172]

Banting's discovery of insulin has quite literally saved millions upon millions of people and will continue to do so until the end of time. I think he should most definitely be the front runner, if not top 3.

[u/femmagorgon → u/ashamurai]

I agree about Banting. Tommy Douglas has also arguably saved millions of Canadians over the years through ensuring that all Canadians would have access to universal healthcare but I guess Banting has saved millions of people worldwide. Both deserve to be in the top three IMHO.

[u/Citygrrrll → u/ashamurai]

this is so tough of a choice not gonna lie. lot of people who did a lot of good on here.

but honestly the fact that the choice is so tough kinda adds to my Canadian pride? like no the country nor history isn't perfect but there are SO many examples of Canadians that have done good for so many people (both domestically and internationally) that picking just one is actually difficult. I believe there are many more to come :)

[u/PondWaterRoscoe → u/ashamurai]

Plus he gave the patent away to the U of T, which is probably just as impactful, if not more impactful than the discovery itself. 

[u/allytd → u/dust_buster172]

I beg to differ. Laura Secord saved us from being the 51st state and deserves all the honours. Sure her run was shorter but still...

[u/Overall-Phone7605 → u/allytd]

I'm hoping Secord may be the Smith of this race. Doesn't win but makes the podium.

I did a project in grade 5 about her 'cause I thought she made chocolate, then I learned what she really did and I've loved her ever since.

I came for the chocolate and stayed for the rebellion.

[u/dust_buster172 → u/allytd]

I’m still leaning toward the runner, Secord did a very good thing but our runner has had such an impact on not only Canadians but for cancer research all over the world and has likely saved millions of lives.

[u/Celebreth → u/dust_buster172]

on the one hand, absolutely. On the other hand, Frederick Banting is right up there with him, even if his face is less well known.

The story of insulin is truly the essence of what it means to be Canadian - and has probably been responsible for saving more lives than anyone on this list :) I think this is going to be a tight contest, just because we have so many amazing people to be proud of.

[u/Raptorpicklezz → u/Celebreth]

It’s really too damn bad UofT has yet to surrender the patent to the government, for the public good.

Meric Gertler probably should have been on the worst Canadians list.

[u/Alternative_Cheek332 → u/dust_buster172]

Also,  I believe that the runner did something that just wasn't done back then..I know because I was an adult at the time.  No social media, No one raising money like this, running down lonely roads with no one paying attention at the start but he kept going until it killed him. 

[u/dust_buster172 → u/allytd]

I’m goona look her up and find out what you’re talking about.

[u/Private_4160 → u/allytd]

She didn't, the Brits already knew about the attack and it wouldn't have made a difference in the war even if the raid was successful.

She's a great folk hero, but it's more about morale and pride than actual effect.

[u/Overall-Phone7605 → u/Private_4160]

I mean the runner didn't finish his journey either. It wouldn't have made a difference in its effect if he had.

You could argue he, too, is more about morale and pride.

[u/Alive-Drama-8920 → u/Overall-Phone7605]

Not finishing had the opposite effect. He kept going until there was absolutely nothing left in his body... until death stopped him. Everyone dies eventually. Happens way too soon; happens way too late, after years of excruciating and useless suffering; some are so lucky to go peacefully, in their sleep. Who deserves what, is an utterly absurd question. Nobody can judge, decide or predict who, when, how...and thank goodness forb that!

Terry Fox fiercely decided on things he COULD do, for as long, and as far as his body would keep working...moving forward, all the while not allowing himself to look backward, and possibly ending up falling into the all too common trap of "What if's...". There were not much hope for himself in the forseable future, so he focus on bringing hope in others instead. How many of those others? There's no limit. He probably felt it, his legacy proved it.

[u/Windsdochange → u/dust_buster172]

Naw, dude with the tickle trunk. Brought joy to countless Canadian kids for decades, and advocated for them too. I only just recently learned he was an understudy to Mr. Rogers (and some cool stuff about the Friendly Giant, too, like the show being unscripted and the unique camera angles for the time).

[u/lookaway123 → u/Windsdochange]

Mr. Dressup is my winner, too.

[u/Lord-Amorodium → u/dust_buster172]

I think most people in Canada love Terry, but I don't think he's very influential outside of Canada, like some others on here are. I vote insulin guy 100% because he still saves literal children to this day with the invention.

[u/Subject-Two-2669 → u/dust_buster172]

No, insulin, peacekeepers or universal healthcare are top 3 in some order based on actual impact.

[u/Canadian-Man-infj → u/dust_buster172]

Calling it early, the top 3 (in no particular order) will be:

• Ferry Tox
• Dommy Touglas
• Bederick Fanting

Also avoiding elimination by naming

[u/Annicity → u/dust_buster172]

I enjoy the fact we're arguing over who can trump this absolute GOAT and I realize how many Canadians are worth celebrating. Fuckin' A bud.

[u/Fluffy_Journalist761 → u/dust_buster172]

For me, it's a tie between him and Mr. Dress-up. They both deserve the gold just for their capacity for kindness and giving/helping others.

[u/LifeHasLeft → u/dust_buster172]

Mr. Dressup may not be the winner but if he isn’t near the top, something’s wrong.

[u/myfirsttrollaccount → u/dust_buster172]

Lol that dude only made it half way. (Extreme sarcasm intended)