Citizen Bytes

Well said, and it's about time we started to hear from Canadians working and studying abroad. My parents too lived and worked overseas, in England, and in Indonesia. It never, ever occurred to me that their loyalty to their country would ever be called into question because of it.

If anything - they came home and raved about Canada, and understood Canada more for having seen it from a distance, and getting the outside perspective; not only on how domestic affairs are run, but on what Canada's role in the world is.

Good column. Write more.

Dear JanaLee,

Why don't you grow up and let Iggy deal with his problem.

You are such a snob, I bet you think you are better than us.

Will you be running for PM and heading back to teach at Oxford should you not win?

Do you tell people in England that you are actually a British national (when no Canadians are looking) to suit your immediate, or long-term purposes?

You seem to suffer from the same Hollywood disease that has afflicted so many actors and actresses; you want to be taken seriously on many different issues and have been granted whitespace by the socialist media to do so, yet for all your university education, you don't seem to appreciate critical Western thought being applied to your rhetoric.

I don't believe anyone's questioning your patriotism and certainly no one would stop you from running for office. Just be prepared to answer some tough questions if you want to pull an Ignatieff.

It's a bit different for a person to be out of their home country to travel and attend university, then for a person who's been out of country for almost 30 years and applying for the top position of Prime Minister!

That's awesome that you wear the Canadian flag proudly on your backpack when out of the country.
So you don't do what Mr. Ignatieff did and pretend your were British (as in MY adopted country) or claiming to be American (as in it's MY country as much as it is yours).
Canadians abroad make us proud if they admit they are from the colonies and are not ashamed of the fact.
Also, the years you are away from Canada you may miss out on understanding the country you love don't you think?

So stay there and mature a little.

I have no problem with someone studing overseas for a number of years and coming back to Canada to offer his or her services, knowledge or expertise.

I do, however, have a problem with someone who has been absent for 34 years and is appointed party leader without any vote, and then claims he loves this country and wants to be prime minister.

Why did he choose to live and work outside of our great country for so long and now suddenly wants to lead it?

The word "opportunist" comes to mind.

Missing the point a little bit. This commentary is neglecting the other messages in the ad and misconstruing what is meant by Michael Ignatieff leaving Canada. It clearly did not scrutinize Michael Ignatieff merely for having left Canada but for genuinely being more interested in anything that holds an opportunity for himself rather than in what is best for Canada. The ad is saying that he is only interested in Canada at the moment because this holds for him the greatest opportunity for self-advancement. It claims that he is a careerist rather than an idealist. Whether these things are entirely accurate will have to be seen.

There is also nothing wrong with spending time and money in order to get your message across to Canadians, as the Conservatives have done by issuing this ad. All political parties do it, so by calling it wrong in this instance one would have to maintain that all the parties are acting inappropriately when they create ad campaigns. It should not be seen as a waste or an attack but as promoting your point of view. How can there be anything wrong with standing up for what one believes?

This was a very well written letter with some witty sarcasm and a scathing attack on the attack ads recently put out by the Conservative Party of Canada. Unfortunately, I think it really misses the point.

If Mr. Ignatieff had indeed been unfurling his flag on Canada day, or had he been sporting patches on his backpack, or even had he been supporting Canadian interests from abroad, I would easily grant the point to this very eloquent writer. However, as has been shown in much more effective ways than the attack ads, Mr. Ignatieff did not do any of those things. He appears to be very opportunistic, and the heart of the concerns in the ads are still relevant.

While I could wish that the concerns were put forward in a more effective and mature manner, I cannot help but agree with the sentiments behind them.

I hope the rest of my fellow loyal Canadians both at home and abroad are able to see through both the mistake of the inept marketing company working for the conservatives, and the better veiled but incorrect intellectual defenses of the liberals.

Our country does need to honour and respect our loyal countrymen abroad, but the top position in our government is not a trophy for an opportunists wall.

Here's the difference, JanaLee. In your letter you refer to "we Canadians" while you are outside of the country. Michael Ignatieff referred to "we Americans" when living outside the country.

Is that a difference that is too hard for you to follow?

Fantastic letter. Having recently completed a Master's degree in the United Kingdom, I find the criticism of Mr. Ignatieff very disappointing. Does his time abroad not offer a richness and perspective that can enrich his leadership in Canada? Does his international stature and respect not provide him with tools to lead our country in a way that can better involve itself in a complicated world?

I think you have captured the perspective of many people. Thank you

You missed the context of the ad. You are worried about how you will be received in Canada once you return home. Are you planning on staying over there for 30+ years, until you have an invite to come back and be PM? While you are away, I suppose you would like me to pay MY full Canadian share of taxes here at home right?

You are better off studying abroad while Stephen Harper is in charge...nasty neo-con.

Ar you going to be gone for over 30 years???

Why, then, are our current leaders talking about spending money on advertising campaigns to attack each other?

It's called party politics Ms. Chernesky. You are not likely to see this happen in Saudi Arabia where there is no political life. But here in Canada, when you see political parties attacking each others, it is a sign of health: healthy democracy.

What the writer of this piece fails to see is that the point of these commercials is not that Ignatieff left the country for a period of time, it's what he said while he was gone. This writer seems to care deeply about Canada and appears to represent us proudly overseas. Ignatieff, however, appeared to conveniently forget where he came from in an attempt to seem more credible with whoever his audience was. Almost as if recognizing that he was Canadian became a liability to him.

Ms. Cherneski,

For someone with a doctorate in politics, you show a remarkable lack of understanding of the political process. When he attacks Ignatieff, Harper does not "speak for Canada", as you imply in your letter.

You should not worry too much about Canada as the collective wisdom of its citizens always prevails.

No Iggy spent 30+ years out of country and wants to lead it. If you want to get an education overseas, that's your prerogative. However, if you chose to spend several decades of your life not living in Canada and not contributing tax-wise to the country (in fact contributing to another country), why should we consider you a Canadian?

If you intend to come back to work and live here (and spend most of your life doing so), you're contributing to society and are not in the same boat as Iggy.

Dear JanaLee, A very clever article. It's not clear, however, if you intend to stay abroad for another 30 or so years, and then expect to be promised the leadership of a political party, aspiring to become Prime Minister of the country you have been 'unfaithful' to. Do you go around England saying, 'We English'? Just wondering.

We, also, have lived abroad. Five years in France many years ago, and lately, another six years. We have been back in Canada less than two years.

Due to the internet, it was easier to keep up with political events this last time than it was during our first junket abroad. But let me tell you, JanaLee, it is NOT the same as living in the country. We had lived in Manitoba for most of our lives, and I kept abreast of provincial news there. I could tell you everything you want to know about Elijah Harper and the Meech Lake accord as it related to Manitoba. Now, after being away from that province for nine years, I have no clue what is going on there politically.

Currently, we are living in Sask., and have for the past two years. Having not lived here before, I feel totally out of the loop (but learning some) politically speaking. I don't know the players, nor the intricacies of the politcal events. I had never heard of Lingenfelter (I think that's his name) and what he had done when he was on the government side in parliament. But the people who have lived here for most of their lives, know all about his political life and policies.

I could go on... but just to let you know, my dear, that one does not KNOW the country if you have been away for 34 years as one would having lived, worked, paid taxes, and been involved in Canadian life during those 34 years.

Cheers,

Iggy claimed to be the citizen of another country (USA) and decided to become prime minister of Canada after spending most of his life outside our country. I see a problem with either of those situations.

Well said.

I am not a Rhodes scholar and yet I agree with all you have to say. This is Canada and let's keep it an open society as is or further improve. We have enough drama to watch just south of us!

Having worked in Europe for 10 years all I can say is that leaving for awhile is the best way to broaden one's horizons and have life experiences not possible by remaining in one's country of origin. Anyone who'd accuse me of being "less Canadian" for this better be prepared to physically defend themselves.
Harper and his attack pit bulls can keep their heads in the (tar)-sand.

AMEN : I hope our Prime Minister and Members of Parliement read this letter and cease to place attack ads on Television as we voters will remember what they are doing come next election.

Please do not confuse the "governing party's" ad campaign with the reality of how most Canadian's view our young educated people. I too went to another country for university and came back to came back to serve Canada which has made me more grateful for what we have and can offer the world. For me it is about balance and perspective. There is nothing like being away from Canada to help you truly appreciate what we have - those who would deny or denigrate you for this are probably ones who have not had the experience and do not understand the value in it. Never let anyone make you feel less of a Canadian because you don't happen to fit their "ideal".

Now it's time to come back to Canada not thinking you've learned it all but to start learning the important things. It's now time to learn about Canadians and Canada. Yes, there are other things to learn outside Canada but there is a vast and wonderfull quality of thought and life right here at home. We have our own way of thinking and doing things and that what makes us great - quietly. Don't think it's necessary to change Canada to be like the rest of the world, in fact it's just might be better to change the rest of the world to be more like us. Born here and 27 countires later back home, and I like it here.

Sure, and why not just let Iggy be PM while living in Britian? Canadian PM's need to understand Canadian culture, and you can not learn our culture while living abroad. Living abroad for a period of time shouldn't disqualify anyone from public office, but it sure should be a consideration amongst voters. Does the author also have a problem with the fact that she would have to renounce her Canadian citizenship to receive a British peerage?

Amen! I too am worried about about Canada (and myself). While currently affiliated with a Canadian university I have (and will in the future) spent large periods of time outside of the country developing my skills (Physics) and knowledge.

Once finished at my current university I may find myself working for a university in any number of places, from Canada, the US, Europe, Japan... the list goes on. Will I be branded less Canadian because of this?

If you are truly Canadian, then would not the current government also be "your" government?
Did you NOT exercise your Canadian rights by voting in the last election as other Canadians abroad did or has your time abroad turned you into one of those "Canadians of convenience"? Just my two cents as a home-grown and CURRENT Canadian.

If you plan to seek the job of Canadian Prime Minister some day, I would suggest you not spend the vast majority of your adult life outside of Canada.

Other than that, stay away or come back as you wish. Doesn't bother me any.

Ms. Cherneski,

We will certainly not criticize you for returning to your native land to apply your skills and knowledge. Those who would do so are unreasonable and closed minded.

Neither would we criticize Mr. Ignatieff for returning to do so--if he had done so with pure intentions. Instead, after being publicly quoted saying things like "the only thing I miss about Canada is Algonquin park" and coming back to an all but guaranteed spot in the House of Commons (I don't know too many people who would turn down that job), I think it's perfectly understandable why the Canadian public would have a rather suspicious view of Mr. Ignatieff.

What more, he has recently published a book meant to be a grand memoir of his genealogical Canadian roots. To say that he missed the boat by painting himself as a grand Canadian nationalist following in the footsteps of his forefathers would be a gross understatement. Without a doubt, his uncle George would be rolling over in his grave after reading the collection of grandiose, well-spun rhetoric that "True, Patriot Love" really is.

I do not begrudge any Canadian who travels, works, or studies overseas--I think it is part of our Canadian heritage to embrace and learn from other cultures around the globe. All I ask is that upon returning, they retain the age-old Canadian trademarks of humility, honesty, and respect for our history. That, Mr. Ignatieff has not done.

Well said----I couldn't agree more! Right now my two children (in their early twenties) are on a "Euro Trip", seeing and discovering things that they would never experience at home. It sure doesn't mean that they have left home in their hearts. I know they will be richer for the experience and also have a new appreciation for our great country called Canada when they return home. I think it is great that Mr. Ignatieff has that experience of living in other countries. It gives him a better understanding of the world outside our borders and therefore he can deal with things in a constructive way. Miss Cherneski, you are not unfaithful to Canada by studying abroad and you are welcome home anytime.

The conservatives were going to find something to attack Ignatieff on. They chose to attack his expatriate experience in English and his non-quebequois accent in French (apparently, I have only seen reports on the ads). We could read the tea leaves to see what this says about the conservatives who chose the angle on this campaign.

What worries me is that something in our democracy could be rewarding this kind of behaviour. Watching our leaders bash each other in the media doesn't strike me as a very good way to elect our representatives. How can we structure our governing processes to discourage these kinds of attacks and encourage civility and respect?

Bravo young lady! You have made excellent points. I, too, had been feeling uncomfortable about Mr. Ignatieff's time out of the country and now seeking to lead our country, but you have opened my eyes about the actual benefits of having someone like him with his expansive world experience leading Canada. It is a unique opportunity we have to make this man our Prime Minister. It will be interesting to see if Canadians will be smart enough to take advantage of this man's potential dynamic leadership ability.

While you are brave to write such a meandering defense of intellectuals and JR Saul, they are more responsible for the current state of the world than you realize. We need fewer politicians and intellectuals, and I hope your education in Oxford is better than those who studied under Ignatieff in Boston, where he declared his support for the invasion of Iraq, and presumably taught and defended, before infamously rejecting his previous position. it is easy to criticize when you are an "intellectual", who never has to pass legislation, lay off co-workers or any number of the typical day-to-day situations which regular folks do every day, let alone shoulder a weapon as our brave soldiers do in hostile places. It is the intellectuals who march us off to war on foreign and hostile soil, to protect this globalization you seem so proud of.

The internationalist argument is outdated, as the credit crisis in the US banking industry exposed the entire world to an economic recession. Kyoto is dead, pandemics are common, and Islamic terrorism is everywhere.

Making your home a better place is where the world is at now. There is a noble morality in trying to improve conditions where you live. if you are up for a challenge, I suggest you study the Canadian Government's new proposals for Foreign Aid and write about that.

I will add this: The Mayor of Cape Town, South Africa addressed a group of Rhodies and made a very important point: Cecil Rhodes extracted a good deal of wealth from the Kimberley mine and directly influenced their lives by providing the opportunity to study at Oxford. She then challenged them to make good on Rhodes' faith in them by giving something back to South Africa. A black woman admonishing a bunch of older white gentlemen - who poopoo'ed her uppity suggestion. Who is right?

Good luck in the future.

PS Cosmopolitan people don't drink Molson's or wave Canadian flags on foreign soil. And only Americans wear the Maple Leaf on their backpacks, Canadians, you know, "communicate"!

Oh, puhLEASE! Why are so many people projecting their own twists to what was really being said? At no point did these "attack ads" hold anything against Canadians who live outside of Canada in general.

Ignatieff didn't just live outside Canada; he stopped identifying himself as Canadian. He was quite open about the fact that he didn't intend to come back. Then, suddenly he comes back to run for Liberal leader and wants to be PM? If he looses, he's already said he is unlikely to stay. MI has NO loyalty to Canada.

I don't care if was Wayne Gretzky who decided to come back to Canada and immediately run for leadership of a political party, expecting to become PM. It still wouldn't be right.

I for one, JanaLee, would not be worried what others would think of you for travelling and studying abroad. Sad truth is vast majority don't take the time to think and those that throw slander have issues. Working and studying abroad is not new in Canada or elsewhere. I have done it myself and would recommend it to any citizen of the world.

Why do we fight with attack ads or go on the defensive once a new party is in the lead? Attacks ads, like the Conservatives advantageously used against Dion shortly after he was elected leader of the Liberals and now talk of using against Ignatieff are rather low in my opinion. Totally self serving. It seems to take the light off the one in power who should be held accountable to the people - rather than he calling the shots and proroguing the people's parliament. People are sometimes much like the Ukrainian easter egg (pysanky): it looks great on the outside but get below the shell and it smells rotten. How long can one fool others? Canadians put up with lots before they make change. It frustrates us to no end but it seems to be our way.

We Canadians are a funny lot when it comes to our politics and national pride. Our political system and semantics appears rather dull and gentile. We tend to thrive politically on a local and provincial level. Maybe it's the size of our country and sparse population. Most times we wear our national pride in our wallet and not on our lapels. We're less boisterous about this than our neighbours to the south. We are proud of being Canadian when we travel the world - especially when we bump into our fellow citizens. We are not shy about our love for this country but we do show it in our Canadian way. As witnessed on "Highway of Heroes" we take great pride in our troops, even if we don't agree with them being in Afghanistan.

Why do we pull each other down rather raise one another up? It actually takes less energy and resources to do the later. One might argue that's just democracy in action. I'm not naive and suspect there are probably mischievous reasons going on behind closed doors why we continue to be negative. Human nature? I like the saying "It's hard to soar with the eagles if you're surrounded by turkeys." We all have to make choices. Your letter is enthusiastic and makes brilliant sense. No apologies needed.

how about you go and study for 30+ more years and get back to us.

Ms. Cherneski,

Please keep in mind that "Canada" has not turned on anybody. Our hateful PM has decided to attack Mr. Ignatieff personally rather than debate ideas. When you come home, we'll welcome you with open arms. I make no such promises for our leader.

The difference, my dear, is that Mr. Ignatieff didn't 'unfurl flags in trafalgar square on Canada day' - in fact, he had a rather unfortunate pronoun problem. One that involved him using the word 'we', as in, 'we Americans'. So while you lament a political party spending money to attack another (the horror! That has *never* happened before!), other Canadians have justifiable distrust of the motivations and character of a particular ex-patriot (one who wants to become leader of our country). Your roundabout piece condemning legitimate criticisms from Canadians (in a rather disingenuous manner - you either lack the courage to be more open with your motivations for your letter or the justification) is little more than a fluff piece asking Canadians to ignore a giant elephant in the room - namely, that Michael Ignatieff has spent 30 years publicly self-identifying himself a citizen of a different nation.

My sentiments exactly.

A fellow Canadian.... studying abroad

I don't disagree with the author's position that there is a whiff of parochial anti-intellectualism in the anti-Ignatieff ads that have popped up recently, but the self-important and condescending airs put on by this work do nothing to advance her thesis. Perhaps she should have written an 'open letter' that didn't have the pretension to imagine itself to be more erudite than it is - this is the way to making one's point properly.

The point is apt (if obvious - does anyone, even Conservative propagandists, really believe that education, internationalism or foreign travel are categorically wasteful, harmful or 'un-Canadian'?) but the author's flowery and extravagant language here creates an unintended caricature of her point.

She is still right, amateurish and pretentious though she may be.

So are you planning on being out of Canada for a couple of decades?
If so I will call you unfaithful to this great country.

Bravo JanaLee !!

As a fellow Canadian, I congratulate you for expressing your sentiments so well on behalf of all Canadians that venture beyond our borders.
We travel the world to broaden our horizons, while also acting as good-will ambassadors for our beloved country. Understanding other cultures by living in their communities adds to our country's reputation as a peaceful nation and an honest trading partner. Our Government should encourage and support this effort, instead of belittling those attemps.

Thank you.. or should I say GRACIAS (as I'm travelling South America trying, and failing, to avoid the multitude of other Canadians gaining experiences abroad to bring home). It's about time the folks back home got to hear from us unpatriot canucks travelling the globe, spending days in far flung places dreaming of sugar shacks while explaining to locals how to unstick your tongue from a ski life (even though of course this has never actually happened to any of us..), and learning - as you can only do from abroad - just what it means to be Canadian, just how differently we think, just how much we don't realis/ze there's now where else we truely fit-in.. as much as we will try.. as much as I am stunned that my 'traditional' english friends in London can't for the life of them understand why I enjoy wandering the Jamaican markets of Brixton in south London.. so I am reminded we truely look at the world differently. And thank god we get out of our country enough to be able to realise it. And I can only hope the country I feel so acutely 'more' from now will welcome me back.. as a Canadian, and, dare I say it, one who is now MORE Canadian!

Thank you for this column, which symetrically reflects my experience as a French working in Canada (and paying all my taxes in Canada without voting rights). I was offended by the CON ad about Ignatieff's background: I may have a Parisian accent like him (!) but I hope to become a Canadian citizen too one day: I really love the Canadian view on life, and I hope I'm contributing to Canadian research with my PhD. Will I be a second-class citizen for having spent thrity years in France?

well said my daughter studied outside of canada and may work elsewhere too and who knows maybe someday she will want to be pm should she not be because of her previous empoyment. i don t think so she may be the best p m we ever had

I spent 17 years outside of Canada and traveled extensively, it really opened my eyes to what goes on in the world.

You can't believe the differences and yet at the same time the commonality we all share.

At the end of the day we are all striving to find a way to live in a decent environment.

I have always had the view that the Government should financially sponsor a program that would support young minds willing to travel and see first hand the REAL world.

World experience is not a bad thing.

Thank you Ms. Cherneski for a very well-written article. I also have been an intensely proud Canadian while traveling abroad, but unfortunately that enthusiasm has faded since my return. I am convinced that the Canada I used to believe in no longer exists except as a traveler's myth.

Sorry, but someone who sports a Canadian flag patch on their backpack is the farthest thing from the political idea of a cosmopolitan. I don't completely agree with the attacks on Ignatieff but I think many of the posters here are right in stating the author has missed the point of the ads.
At the same time, as a current expat Canadian I find it disturbing someone spending time in any European country would go out of their way to drink the wretched swill that Molson calls beer. Maybe something to be said for a bit of cosmopolitanism now and then? When in Rome....

As a member of the miltary who has spent many years outside of Canada either on operations or a posting, I would say well done to this article. There is more to Canada and Canadians than being some pre-defined expectation for an election. My immigrant grandparents would agree I am sure. It takes a lot of courage to stand by your principles. Well done JanaLee Cherneski, makes me proud to be part of an organization that allows you to do so.

Brian Nelson

A lot of tin foil hat wearing nutjobs on these boards. Everything is some sort of socialist conspiracy with the CBC. It gets tiresome.

She misses the point entirely. She is away to study abroad, representing us well. Ignatieff chose to stay away for more than 30 years! Ignatieff has spent more time out of Canada than in it..thats the issue. We are all free to leave the country, but if you expect Canadians to put their trust in someone who has stated that if he is not successful in his short Canadian political career, he will return to Harvard, then you are absurd. Canadians aren't that stupid.

Dear JanaLee,

Thank you for your letter to Canada.

It's clear that you have great understanding of Candaian values, the role that Canada plays on the global stage, and the added value that Canadians bring home from their experiences outside the county.

It's young people such as yourself who will keep our future bright and on the right track. We are going through a bit of a rough patch these days, but we, with contributions from people like yourself, will see our way through.

I wish you every success (not that you need my wishes, you're doing great already).

Keep your vision, and a heartful welcome you home . . . when you are ready. :)

Silly girl used by CBC to prop up Liberals, I say to you....
At some point when you become older, you will look back and cringe at how silly you were and despise the Liberals for exploitng your naivety for their sleezy opportunism and lust for power at any (anyone else's) cost.

It happened to me.

This is pretentious tripe - and it has "agenda" written all over it.

Pure political manipulation.

BLECH.

JanaLee,

I think the only way you will be coming back to this country after you receive your doctorate is if you are unable to find a position anywhere else in the Western World. I vote Liberal, but I agree that Ignatieff is probably not the man for the job. Despite an impressive resume, he is likely out of touch with this country. If you want to lead the people, you must be a part of them. Why do academics always think they know what's best? History is bloated with examples that disprove this misguided and arrogant attitude.

Didn't Margaret Thatcher attend Oxford?

As a Canadian who has lived in London for 24+ years, I watched Ignatieff on TV many times, read his columns in magazines and newspapers - and always knew he was Canadian - he dropped in enough stories about his background and his family in Canada that it was pretty obvious, he didn't have to shout it from the rooftops or wear a maple leaf pin 24 hours a day.

I felt proud that such a highly intelligent and cultured man represented Canada so well. I do voluntary work for a UK charity called The Maple Leaf Trust. We raise money for needy Canadian veterans who chose to stay in the UK after WWII...just because they chose to stay here doesn't mean they are less Canadian. We also raise money for truly exceptional students who come to the UK to do postgraduate study and who are fantastic ambassadors for Canada - just as Ignatieff was.

It's all about protecting the past...promoting the future of Canadians - even here in the UK. If I return to Canada now (with my British husband) will I not still be a true Canadian? Will I hear the same criticisms if I choose to offer my services in my Canadian community? I don't vote in Canada so I'm politically neutral - but I'm sorry to read so many small-minded comments.

Sorry to contradict but if you want to be our leader, don't you think you should spend some time at home to learn about our issues and show some commitment so the country you want to lead??

Otherwise why don't we just open up our country's leadership position to anyone?

Is this a big deal?? YOU BET IT IS!!

Sorry, I'm having a hard time trying to pin down exactly what Ms. Cherneski is saying. I have travelled as well, not as a Rhodes Scholar or to Old Europe but rather to Asia (Japan, Korea). She seems to be defending the 'elite', or the well-travelled Canadians as somehow being much more cultured and worldly.

Also, inserting '...like Mr. Ignatieff' to show that she is utterly despondent over the attack ads that point out just how much time he has spent in America. Ms. Cherneski, yours is not the first generation of Canadians who have somehow managed to travel, spare the haughty tone.The Liberal Party IS the establishment.

They always were. Maybe if we were more 'cosmopolitan', we would not elect them to lead. I know you are justifiably proud of being a Rhodes scholar, like something that you try to always bring up in conversation or in 'open letters' to the CBC, and that's fine. You are speaking for the establishment, which makes you incredibly conservative.

This is an excellent article as Canada should have an open border policy. If you want to be Canadian, no one should prevent you from having to live in the country. I received my Canadian citizenship and after one year moved back to my country of origin. I now pay the required CPP and return for medical checkups and to see family but it will be great for me and my family once I am retired. I can put a couple of thousand towards CPP a year and then after I retire, a check will be sent to me until I pass (30-40 years of collecting).

Just because you don't live in Canada and maybe spent most of your live outside of Canada makes you no less of a Canadian.

I can't wait for the Liberals to get into power then the rest of my family can come to Canada for the great benefits. Canada rocks.

Thank you for a great perspective. Indeed it is the red neck mentality of the Harper Conservatives (not all of us on the East side of the Rockies are Harper Conservatives) does reject any thinking that is not of the NeoCon persuasion. They fear it threatens the "Canadian way of life" - whatever that is. I just came back from the Wet Coast and was indeed surprised to find myself the visible minority while shopping in Richmond. We are a mosaic of cultures that hopefully will blend into a new Canadian identify.

Rhodes scholar please come back, this country needs people with a global perspective.

Indeed when I traveled overseas, I proudly join other Canadians to celebrate Canada Day in Trafalgar Square, Edinburgh castle, Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, or even New Year's Day in Mazatlan with fellow Canadian travelers or even ex-pats. And when we sing Oh, Canada - tears come to our eyes. I'm sure you can relate......

Has anybody asked why people come back after the many years they had been gone?
I just moved back to Canada after 16 years in the U.S. (particularly from Phoenix, Arizona) and I'm so glad that I am back!

The reason for my enthusiastic return is based on personal musings if you care to read on.
Number one, where ever you go to study or live there will always be a inflated pride towards nationalism in your adopted country. The U.S. tops the charts on this idea! Soaking up this national pride from the natives has made me appreciate the Canadian ideals I grew up with as a kid.

Number two, looking inwardly from the outside you see how things are done differently. This has the effect of changing your perception on the world today and it has shown me that Canadians are quite civilized and take a rather active cue from the Europeans other than the Americans. We pay a high tax rate and go through long winters but we have a better standard of living than most countries in the G8 and it shows in our governmental systems across this land.

Number three, living in a different enviromental climate allows one to appreciate Canada's four seasons. Ask any Canadian solider who has served in Dubai or Afghanistan and they will agree!

The phrase "abscense makes the heart grow fonder" is quite relevent to this issue. If someone returns to our country after an extended visit abroad, don't be so harsh with them. They may prove to be even more patriotic to this country than yourself.

What are you rambling on about? Are you delusional? Please, with the use of quotation brackets, tell me how Stephen Harper has insulted you.

Do you really think it's unreasonable to expect our leaders to have spent a significant amount of time in Canada.

This essay is a little bit fluffy for my liking.

As others have stated, to compare perhaps five years spent studying abroad to thirty-plus years living and working abroad is not fair. This is an especially unfair comparison unless you plan to run for the most visible public office in the land.

Ignatieff's past abroad is common knowledge and we should be allowed to draw our own conclusions at this point.

I do not mind Michael Ignatieff, nor most of his policies and would likely vote for him in the face of a conservative party that continues classless character attacks whilst proposing no progressive legislation.

As someone who has also studied abroad, I recognize the value of learning to communicate across cultures. But for someone to criticize Ignatieff's commitment to Canada considering the comments he has made and that the majority of his adult life has been spent in other countries is legitimate. Perhaps he should just spend another few years travelling the country and building his Canadian resume before running for Prime Minister.

Good to hear from you Janalee,

I understand what you are saying about Canadians living abroad. However you are not back in Canada to try to lead our country, and plan on leaving again if you fail.

Learning, traveling, and experiencing new things abroad is a good thing. But I personally feel that the leader of our nation should be here for a reason beside taking the highest place in our Government. They should be living here for the sole reason that this is their home, that they care for this country and its people over other places.

You seem to be a Canadian living abroad temporarily. In my opinion Michael is an American of Canadian descent, back in Canada to play his hand.

I will say no to him for that reason. Its unfortunate since he looks like he could be a respectable leader. Oh well.

Excellent work, Ms. Cherneski!

Whatever reasons Michael Ignatieff may or may not have for wanting to become Prime Minister are irrelevant to me. What IS relevant is what he can offer: worldliness, intelligence, open-mindedness to different perspectives, leadership, and VISION, which Canada so desperately needs right now.

Indeed, it is clear that Canada has been regressing on various levels since Harper has been at the helm. He has proven time and time again that his priority is solely to win, at all costs (be it lying, fear-mongering, inciting conflict, etc.). Even if those costs involve the diminishment of what is fundamentally valuable to the moral prosperity of our nation.

Just for the record, I am Canadian-born who has lived 14 years of my 37 in three other countries. I am deeply connected with those other countries and I tend to think of them as 'home', too, on a certain level. I also have a special bond and love for Canada that is unbreakable. I've always tended to think of myself as a 'citizen of the world' on a spiritual level. At the end of the day, God didn't create borders.

I think that Canadians are extremely fortunate to have someone of Ignatieff's caliber as the next possible PM. His experiences, brilliant mind and his ideas will breathe fresh life into our country and make us all proud.

I would have expected a Rhodes Scholar to be able to distinguish between studying abroad for a few of years and pulling an Iggy. Or perhaps she was hoping us commoners would miss that little distinction and go vote Liberal like good little sheep.

...the Rhodes Scholar ....!!!

...the Harvard Intellectual...!!!

This young girl is extremely naive, confused, and it appears a tad arrogant...just like Ignatieff. No one cares about your schooling. But I'll make allowances for the fact that she is young.

I've lived and worked overseas for a few years, but I totally 'get it' as to why so many people are SO offended by this man who waltzes into Canada, then waltzes into a riding to collect his 'entitlement'. Just like that. Either the man is totally arrogant and egotistical, or a complete simpleton and just doesn't care, or understand as to why so many people find him so, so offensive. The man has not returned to Canada for Canada. He has returned to Canada for a nice hefty pension on the backs of Canadian taxpayer, and some material for his long-winded auto-biography.

Sometimes you are most Canadian when not in Canada (and representing it, plus missing it).

Where we live or work does not matter. We all have our roles and responsibilities to fulfil. What matter is what you do for Canada.

Hi JanaLee:

I can't believe someone called you a snob! To that person: get used to it, and maybe get on a plane for the first time and leave the confines of N.America (Mexico doesn't count). The world is big, and citizenship is really just a figment of our imagination like borders drawn onto a map.

I congratulate you JanaLee on leaving and pursuing higher education elsewhere. come back when you feel like it, and travel more if that's what your heart tells you. I really don't care if our Prime Minister was born here, lived here or overseas. All I want is a competent person who will rise to the occasion and be a leader. Mr. Ignattief should not be dismissed simply because the guy didn't live here for a while. I rather have him, than some person who has lived in Canada all his life and gets elected based on the merits of his father, rather than his own accomplishments and experiences.

I think traveling and living abroad really provide some unique opportunities and life experiences that Canada simply can't compete with. I can not stand narrow minded Canadians who refuse to try anything beyond mashed potatoes and boiled veggies...seriously the wonderful world of tastes, sounds, voices, beauty, sadness, epiphanies await. Stop doing all inclusive tours and pretend like you have been to a third world, when in fact you just lived in a bubble for the past 7 days, and padded yourselves on the backs for "helping the local economy".

The world is changing, and the only way you are going to find your place is to find where everyone else stand, not from the TV, not from the magazines, but go there/here/everwhere!

Hope all goes well JanaLee!

As a current academic formerly in Britain and now studying in the US, I share your sentiments, JanaLee. The small-minded and insular nature of the Conservative attack ads on Ignatieff is ridiculous.

While like many of the commenters on this page, I am skeptical of Ignatieff's initial "opportunism" (you guys are all over-using this word) in returning to Canada with a Liberal seat in the bag, I do not think that this should defray from his ability to actually do a good job as a leader. He is not only well-versed in political and historical international affairs, he is also articulate and my impression is that he is fairly level-headed (that being said, as Rick Mercer has been complaining, Ignatieff hasn't REALLY shown us much about his policies or abilities yet).

I am shocked and saddened, however, by some of the reactions by commenters on this page to JanaLee's position as a Rhodes scholar abroad. To characterize a traveller and intellectual as someone who has abandoned Canada or who is a "Canadian of convenience" is unbelievably ignorant. Venturing and living outside of Canada is about learning about other cultures (the US is certainly another culture) and about sharing our own culture. It's also about promoting Canada and perpetuating the stereotype of the "friendly Canadian."

I agree with the idea of Canada as a "Metis" civilization. To discuss Canadianness as some kind of homogenous monolith is overly-simplistic; we should be embracing our international flavour and not bashing those who contribute to it. For those overly-patriotic posters here who would criticize Canadians living abroad, I suggest you look beyond your own front porch and think about the kind of perspective you would get on your own homeland if you left it. Things become clearer.

From my understanding if you're abroad for 40 years or more, not contributing to our great and wonderful country, you would not be entitled to collect cpp. But if you have have been abroad for over 30 odd years, you're entitled to run for PM and get the benefits thereof? I am glad that the ad is out there, I certainly wouldn't want to vote for one who has taken an overdue Canadian Sabbatical.

For a moment I thought I was reading something from Obama or Clinton. But from a young Canadian who had already gained enough intellectual maturity from more schooling than most of us and from physically visited more countries than most of us.

If we don't support our brightest, who will we send to represent us to stand up to the Obamas and the Hus. My point is incorrect because Ms Cherneski's point is not to stand up to anybody but to be able to sort out this messy intricacy that is our world and make things work within the framework of global co-operation.

Like Bush's attempt to gain immediate result by using massive "shock and awe" collateral atacks in Iraq and deemed it "mission accomplished", the Conservatives' attempt to use media militarism to end Ignatieff quickly will also come to the same inconclusive failure as what is known as Iraq today.

Ms Cherneski's message is clear. The world today is one gigantic fragile interdependant jigsaw puzzle. Disaccord brings one big pile of mess and harmony will bring one big beautiful picture that is our world.

Canada is a microcosm of that puzzle, like every other country.

From our first prime minister John A MacDonald who was not born in Canada to our next prime minister, from Canadian communists to Canadian greens, we must work together in harmony to make Canada one big beautiful picture.

Janalee Honey,

Let me put this bluntly: Oh, get off the pot!

You completely miss the entire point. Perhaps once you have finished your doctorate, you could go back a redo elementary school because you don't GET what this entire issue surrounding Ignatieff involves, and frankly my dear it's pretty basic. Your youth betrays your logic.

Ignatieff spent his time masquerading as a citizen of the countries he lived in. Get your pretty head out of your arm pit and stick it back in your books.

With love from Canada,

Pam

P.S. Are your parents friends with Mr. Ignatieff. Wouldn't be a stretch. Hope they paid you more than $10 bucks to write.

Also the fact that you mention your credentials at the beginning implies that you know so much more than the rest of us dumb Canadians.

Well said! Canadians, if anything, become more patriotic while overseas. Before I started travelling, I had no idea what it meant to be Canadian, until I could compare myself to others from around the world. At any given time there are 2 million Canadians outside of Canada. Canadians are an international people, and it is now becoming strange to meet someone who hasn't travelled or worked abroad.

Furthermore, Canadians should look for better opportunities for work abroad! I have been living overseas for years now, working in 4 different countries, and the wages, benefits, and experiences are far superior. Maybe if more Canadians did this, Canadian employers would offer better wages, and be more appreciative of the skilled pool of labour in Canada. Companies will pick up and move to another country if the opportunities are better, why not the Canadian employee?

beautiful passionate essay...people from other countries study abroad and there is much one can read into that personal decision...some countries encourage it and leave the door open to those who do to come back and share their experiences and education.
travel...is an education unto itself

just a post it note...maybe the title should have read 'an open letter from one who has traveled'.
with all respect to the female gender!

Another poorly disguised liberal tongue bath from the so called CBC.

Thank the gods that drinks are free in business class! I almost gagged when I read this. I keep telling myself she's only a kid, she'll be reminded of this in ten years and blush. Only problem is, maybe she won't.

It's that closing line that really gets me:

"when I come back to serve you with the knowledge and experience I have gained from afar, will you call me opportunistic and turn on me too? But I worry more for you: once you start rejecting the skills and knowledge of your own citizens where will that leave you, dear Canada?"

Wow! I like me, who do you like? Young lady, when you come back from civilization to this simple and primitive land the only thing I want you serving me is a double-shot vanilla latte, with some of those chocolate covered coffee beans on the side. Come to think of it, that's pretty much all I want from Michael Ignatieff too.

Go to Africa, they need you more than we do. Make a difference and all that. We'll hold things down on the home front until you get back. We got you covered. Let us know how it all works out.

Y'see, kid, I don't know why anyone would leave Canada anyway. Like, we get all the channels here as it is. We get books translated into English...for those that like that kind of stuff. And on the Parliamentary Channel they translate what the speakers that don't know English say for us Canadians.

Y'know, Trudeau (the one who was PM) once suggested that maybe the country was too big for us. So if that is so, then the world is way too big for us.

As you can see, some posters thus far don't like Iggy. They dislike him so much that every single one of them has made a spelling mistake. They are also afraid that if he is PM he won't use our tv to talk to us. He will go to USA and talk on Fox or CNN. That's what they fear.

They also don't like Iggy because they say he is enterprising in taking advantage of his opportunities. They think that such a person should be a Conservative. So they feel hurt. (You've been away, kid, so you likely forget how much 'feeling hurt' is a basic to the Conservative psyche.)

So immerse while you're there kid. We'll be ok. And we'll be here for you when you get back...three years or thirty, do what is best for you in your contribution to the rest of us. If Ronny Scotts in Soho is still there put in a night of that, get to Covent Garden for some matinee opera, see lots of theatre,go to Hyde Park Corner on Sunday mornings. Meet lots of people.
And do your homework!
(Think again, though, about that Tim Horton's stuff. )

What a well written commentary. I really question your motivation - since Ignatieff couldn't afford a real ad campaign in defense of the the Conservative ads, I guess he hired some friends like you to post letters on free websites like CBC.

Very nice!

No one should have to have to hide his/her light under a bushel, but prophets are honoured everywhere except in their own country and among their own people, so it might be better if Iggy did not frighten people so much by his "foreign" experience, which includes the unfortunate Rhodes Scholarship that most of us can only drool and slobber over. We should count ourselves fortunate to have him; and we should be asking ourselves why other parties cannot attract similarly well-qualified people.

You could've just introduced yourself as a student studying abroad, but no, you needed to make sure we all knew you were a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. Well, la-di-da! Who cares?! You're obviously more concerned with flaunting your international achievements and being "worried" from afar, than truly assisting Canada. Spare us.

Your three maple leafs on your back pack are more than Mr.Ignatieff ever did to acknowledge his Canadianism in 34 years outside of the country.
The only thing he missed about Canada was Algonquin Park....and I bet since he's been back he hasn't gone there.
He's such a proud Canadian that he told Americans he was one of them,American.

He came back to Canada not because he desired to,but because he was enticed to return for personal gain.
So if you think Mr.Ignatieff is such a great representative of Canadians who live and work outside of the country,then I'll wish you a great Canadian life, and I'll see you in 34 or so years.

Thank you, JanaLee, for a thought-provoking article. I, too,am embarassed by the attack ads by our governing party. I'm also embarassed by the negative comments posted on this site. Like you, I have travelled to other countries and proudly display the Maple Leaf. When I return to Canada, I realize more than ever how lucky I am to live in this great country, but sad, too,that there are still a few mean, petty folks among us. These are the same people who complain bitterly because they're going to have to show their passports when entering the U.S. Ridiculous! I'm proud to show my Canadian passport wherever I travel, as are many Canadians. Good luck with your studies, JanaLee. And thanks again for writing.

Dear Canada: An open letter from a broad.

It sounds like you would like to have you cake and eat it too.

Why is it that any time someone that knows how to ties their shoes in more than one way happens to do so in public some lunatic must to leap to their feet and start shouting some nonsense about socialism?

Ok, from here on out every time I hear someone make such a silly comment I'm going to Moo at them till their eyes bleed and their ears explode.

Ignatieff has an opportunistic streak, just as the Conservatives have in exploiting this issue. The objectionable aspect of this is the divisiveness, which is what JanaLee is pointing out. If Ignatieff can be slandered, so can she and others who are deemed disloyal. These ads are ugly partisanship that does damage to our social fabric and should not be tolerated. And if the Cons are so concerned about Canada, why don't they make sure that our entire country has energy security before allowing multinational energy companies to use up all the natural gas and export the oil?

Dear JanaLee, A very clever article. It's not clear, however, if you intend to stay abroad for another 30 or so years, and then expect to be promised the leadership of a political party, aspiring to become Prime Minister of the country you have been 'unfaithful' to. Do you go around England saying, 'We English'? Just wondering.

We, also, have lived abroad. Five years in France many years ago, and lately, another six years. We have been back in Canada less than two years.

Due to the internet, it was easier to keep up with political events this last time than it was during our first junket abroad. But let me tell you, JanaLee, it is NOT the same as living in the country. We had lived in Manitoba for most of our lives, and I kept abreast of provincial news there. I could tell you everything you want to know about Elijah Harper and the Meech Lake accord as it related to Manitoba. Now, after being away from that province for nine years, I have no clue what is going on there politically.

Currently, we are living in Sask., and have for the past two years. Having not lived here before, I feel totally out of the loop (but learning some) politically speaking. I don't know the players, nor the intricacies of the politcal events. I had never heard of Lingenfelter (I think that's his name) and what he had done when he was on the government side in parliament. But the people who have lived here for most of their lives, know all about his political life and policies.

I could go on... but just to let you know, my dear, that one does not KNOW the country if you have been away for 34 years as one would having lived, worked, paid taxes, and been involved in Canadian life during those 34 years.

As is typical, I am dismayed by the majority of CBC News comment posters...you need to think a little broader

Hey, Rhodes Scholar,

I agree with you on some things, but this kind of stuff goes over with 'necks like underpants on a constipated senile senior citizen.

Get over yourself. Go out in the real world, talk to actual people. Don't be so precious, and then you might actually be valuable.

I know a lot of people who are too poor to even get out of their own damn postal codes. You, with your education and family backing are studying in England and you get this great credential on your resume. Bully for you.

I'm a total liberal, used to vote for the NDP, until I realized that was a futile exercise of my democratic right to vote.

Go be disappointed all you want. When you start doing something about it where you actually live, I'll listen to you. Otherwise, shut the hell up. Give your Rhodes scholarship to a smart but disadvantaged Indian kid who dropped out of high school because his grandparents who took care of him died and his mom couldn't give a damn because she was abused by the church and the state and she died when he was 12 from cirrhosis and he had to quit school to take care of his younger siblings. Go give your Rhodes scholarship to a 14 year old year old Indian girl who got pregnant and managed to get a secret abortion, and then carried that judgment, that knowledge, around her neck like a millstone until her teacher noticed she wasn't acting like herself for the last two months.

Go drive your parents' Volvo, but don't tell real people struggling with real problems how to deal with the world.

You've got three Canadian flags lovingly sewn onto your backpack? I've got a handfull of parents and grandparents who died because you people steamrolled over us and now make us seem like the bad guys.

Way to go for your good sentiments. I think the french term for this would be "noblesse oblige"

But hey, enjoy your great education and the feeling that you're sitting on the top of the world looking down at everyone who hasn't earned a Rhodes while you are doing nothing to help this country you fled so eagerly from. Clap, clap, clap. Well done.

So, how long does it take for 'Canadianness' to wear off? 1 year, 10 years, 20 years?

Perhaps it evaporates when you stop drinking Canadian beer. Or maybe when you've been away long enough, you stop thinking Canadian. Perhaps we should start measuring brains for 'Canadianness' when people re-enter the country.

Maybe Janalee is only 99% Canadian now. Goodness, with all those trips abroad recently maybe Mr. Harpers 'Canadianness' is wearing off. Maybe he should step down an let someone who hasn't left the country take on the job. You can never be to careful you know.

Oh, and what happens when you step into separatist territory, you know, that place: Quebec. Do you start loosing Canadianness then too? They do want to separate you know, so they must not quite be Canadian.

Oh, dear, I have to go. American Idol is on now.

Bye.

Oh wait, what about all those people who were born somewhere else and then came to Canada? They must be even less Canadian than Iggy. Better watch them too.

OK, shows on. Gotta run...

What a wonderful experience to be an expat. Even if you’re not registered in a prestigious university, you acquire wisdom beyond words. Live; Learn and bring it all back with you girl.

It's funny, I'm just sitting hear listening to Neil Young singing "I'm proud to be living in the USA" and yet, I don't consider him to be any less Canadian.

As a young, up-and-coming academic, Ignatieff did not "owe" Canada anything, and the notion that the duration of his absence has any bearing on his "Canadian-ness" is preposterous, and quite frankly frightening (I live and work abroad). What is the time-limit before one is subjected to this partisan hackery?

Oh, I know you Con supporters will say (and have said) that this type of attack ad is merely a sign of a healthy democracy, but that belies a cynicism that is hard to surpass (suggesting to laid-off workers that the worst economic crisis in decades is a "buying opportunity" for stocks comes pretty close). Argument and debate are integral to a functionaing democracy, but personal attack ads and smear campaigns are a sign of demagoguery at its worst. Thankfully, so far as I've seen, Ignatieff and the Liberals have attacked only Harper's policies; if you can cite examples of Ignatieff using the kind of bilious personal slander we've come to expect from Harper, I'd like to know.

While I agree with the satirical sentiment of the writer's approach and have travelled and studied abroad extensively, I think it's both pathetic and incredibly Canadian of her to point to Tim Horton's and Molson beer as signifiers of national identity and patriotism--companies (one of which is owned by the American Coors corporation) that are perfectly adept at exploiting national identity via advertising to sell you things that are unquestionably bad for you. Is this what we want representing us?

Don't fall for their hegemonic nonsense, especially if your position favours a diversity of national identities.

Just so you know, JanaLee - most British supermarkets stock quite passable maple syrup. For quality try Waitrose. They also do excellent fairtrade bananas from Ecuador.

This is a manipulative and political "letter." With all due respect, I am not sure that her "skills" from England are that valuable--our Canadian universities are perfectly capable of teaching international relations perspectives. These so-called skills are nothing more than opinions that supported with tax dollars, and we might as well have those opinions developed in Canadian universities.

But as others have pointed out, the key point here is that the ad was talking about someone gone from Canada for over 30 years. A Canadian leader should not only have “skills,” but also represent Canadians and have experience being Canadian and being in Canada.

Ignatieff clearly is in Canada solely for the opportunity to run for PM. That is sick, egotistical, and should be called out by conservatives. Hopefully ALL Canadians are smart enough to see that -- but miss Rhodes Scholar clearly is not, and sadly, many likely share her point of view.

Why is this article here? If this was Stephen Harper, would CBC really publish this! I see Iggy is calling in all his chips. Fall for it.

MICHAEL iGNATIEFF WHOSE HE ?

I ONCE VOTED FOR A PRIME MINISTER (,NO FRIEND OF THE CONSERVATIVES,) OR THE NDP FOR THAT MATTER, WHO TOLD HIS SOUTHERN FRIENDS WHERE TO GET OFF WHEN THEY ASKED HIM TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE IRAQ WAR. NOW THATS A PRIME MINISTER WHO WAS NEVER SHU TO SAY THAT HE IS CANADIAN. LONG WAY FROM A JUNIOR MINISTER OF THE NORTHERN AREA HUH?

Well put! I'm a Canadian studying abroad as well at the United World College of the Adriatic in Italy (one a full scholarship provided by the Alberta government I might add) and while in a few short weeks I will be returning back to Canada and will pursue university studies in Canada, I too have felt that many people may turn on me when I return home, that it has been 'snobby' of me to study in Europe.

We need to go abroad to realise just how amazing our nation is, as well as to realise just what kind of world we are apart of. I proudly hang my Canadian flag in my dorm room and for my national week (Native English Speakers Week) the Canadian flag was more prominent with 53 flags in our school building than America and the U.K. combined. I get flack from my classmates for always saying "Back home, in Canada...". I may be abroad. I may choose to move back to Europe at some point. But I will always be proudly and patriotically Canadian.

ARE THERE ANY TAKERS FOR J.CHRETIEN THE TRUE CANADIAN P.M.

There are US folks who need to learn the same lesson. Canada is a fantastic neighbor and I am grateful for all the Canadian folks who have crossed my path and given me another perspective on my country while still in my own backyard.

An awful lot of comments here saying the same thing with suspiciously similar wording. No chance some talking points went out over a certain political party's email list, eh?

The amount of time Ignatieff - or any politician - spent abroad is irrelevant. That he referred to "we Americans" to an American audience in an American topic after years in the country is also hardly indicative of his loyalty - about as much as Harper's Canada-bashing when he was with the National Citizen's Coalition.

And those who say Ignatieff was appointed leader "without a vote" clearly are paying no attention either to Canadian history (all Prime Ministers were selected by MPs until the 1920s), or Canadian news (Ignatieff recently was confirmed in a leadership convention). I've been out of the country for years, and still know that. Yet you're all still just as Canadian as I am, however embarrassing that might be for me.

Criticize the man's ideas, or his policies. Don't criticize him for the stamps on his passport.

"We Canadians abroad who wave our flags from afar on July 1st, who carry our Tim Horton’s mugs, who search out specialty stores that sell maple syrup and Molson beer, clearly must be less patriotic than our peers who stay at home.

For we, like Michael Ignatieff, are now of the world: we have become ‘cosmopolitan.’"

Perhaps for the less than 1% of Canadians who can afford to study at OXFORD and write trite fluff about Tim Horton's and Flag patches.*

I'd suggest that if someone actually had any understanding of their own society, they might have something with more substance to mention about their own culture.

I suppose it might also be apt to mention that this individual is NOT a candidate for Prime Minister.

*(Who puts Canadian flags on their backpacks anymore? Traveling the world and expecting people to love you because you come from Canada is about as arrogant and obnoxious as you can get. It's also an excellent way of being targeted for your wallet.

I don't think most Canadians would take issue with their countrymen studying, working or traveling abroad. It's the intrinsic nature of Canadians to move about and trade with nations all across the world, infact, it was once said Canadian foreign policy is trade policy.

However, what many Canadians may take issue with, is when one of our native sons packs up shop and moves to another country, eschewing our values and identity, and publically denoucing his Canadian identity for his more coveted American one. Then, this vain crow, does come crawling back, and expecting to be welcomed as a leader, as all that is Canadian. This I do take issue with.

The fact that the Liberal party would vote a self-professed American into the leadership shows how far that party has fallen.

Remember, Mr. Ignatieff was Canadian by chance, however he became an American by choice.

I write this as a Canadian who spent 10 years living in the US to return to Canada one year ago.

I've heard it said that nothing makes you appreciate being Canadian more than living in the US, and I can affirm that. I was never an American citizen, nor did I have the desire to be one. Granted, I was there during the Bush years, but there's more to it than that. I am and always will be Canadian.

However, even in that period, one third the time that Mr. Ignatieff was away, I can definitely say the country moved past me. The politics had changed, the economy had changed, and the regional concerns had changed. 30 years is a long time to be away.

Although a conservative by nature, I'm by no means a fan of Mr. Harper. I think he's a devisive opportunist who's more concerned with maintaining power and pursuing his own petty vendettas than doing good for the country. But even a stopped clock is right twice a day, and this is his time.

I think that putting Mr. Ignatieff forward as their leader shows a lack of vision on the part of the Liberal Party, and is a sad statement on the quality of political leadership in this country. None of the parties have a grand vision for this country other then getting and maintaining power.

That's why Meach Lake failed, and nothing has changed since.

Canada's Government! Fomenting emotional anti-intellectuals and ethnocentrics! Their biases no longer just on a secret ballot on voting day, but festering over every talk show and comments section possible. Loyal 'patriots'!
Oh! Canada.
Ads between elections may also stir the majority who do not support these divisive incompetents in power at present.

We are lucky to become Canadians. We are proud to defense the Canadian flag abroad. Yesterday, I was moved by listening to President Obama's speech regarding Guatanamo. What make the USA the most powerful country on Earth is the values it holds in its constitution.
This is why the Conservatives, under PM Stephen Harper, should look onto our Canadian values and open our big arms to include and to welcome Mister Ignatieff, rather than attacking him. He might be our next greatest Prime Minister ever. Welcome back Mister Ignatieff. This land is your land and the past has passed. Your future is also ours. And thanks for coming back.

"Global Village"

A phrase coined by Marshall McLuhan who spent only a few years out of Canada studying and teaching. He returned and spent the remainder of his life teaching at the University of Toronto, spending much of this time as head of his Centre for Culture and Technology.

Mr. McLuhan was a true intellect, of a quality far greater than Michael Ignatieff, intellectual poseur, author of "The Lesser Evil", which touts the reprehensible act of torturing individuals as a justifiable means of gathering information. [Personally I consider the use of torture repugnant]

As to supporting the immoral and illegal “War on Irak”, on the premise of WMD being the major reason for this war, Michael Ignatieff, and all those who supported this catastrophe, was under-informed and misinformed. Weapons of mass destruction in Irak had been eradicated by the Clinton administration in 1998 when, on December 16 and for the subsequent four days, a total of 415 cruise missiles and 600 bombs, dropped on manufacturing facilities, etc., thereby reducing Irak’s efficacy to manufacture WMD.

As I have stated Michael Ignatieff never bothered to apprise himself of the truth concerning WMD – such is the intellect, and I use that term sarcastically in describing Ignatieff’s so-called intellect, of extremely poor decision-making capabilities.

Mr. McLuhan never renounced his Canadian citizenship in pursuit of his own self-serving agenda.

Call me "unfaithful" all you like, (as if the coincidence of my birth is something to warrant faith and patriotism) so long as we are run by an arrogant group of close minded bullies, I will be staying clear of the home and native land.
And for the lot of you ignorant nationalists posting negative responses to this frightfully well written letter, wake up and smell the 21st century.

Take a closer looks at the comments by Chantal, lance, Ed B., Pam, JM, and zilla. No attempt to engage the argument, just personal attacks on the author. This behaviour is taught and reinforced by attack-style politics.

I'm a master's student studying politics as a MUN intern with the Nunatsiavut Government of nothern Labrador. I'll take any opportunity I can to serve people in any town anywhere across Canada in order to learn more about the place and its people.

With that said, JannLee, I hope we don't need a group of rich men to ask you to return to Canada to serve your country and that you do it on your own when you finish school.

And for Dean in Ottawa, Harper is a wannabe neo-con. However I give it to both men for taking such drastic measures in their attempts to lead over 30,000,000 people.

Honestly, I thought Rhodes Scholars were smarter than that. I think you missed the point completely.

The ad does not necessary criticize Ignatieff simply for living abroad, I myself have done so in the past, I believe the point of the ad was to shame Ignatieff for his comments that he made while he was abroad.

Such comments as: claiming the USA to be his country and the various other "treasonous" things he may have said. So don't take it as a knock against all ex-pats, its merely a criticism of one man who seems slightly less grateful of his "home" than you clearly are.

Lets also not forget the fact that its simply ANOTHER political attack ad, and such things are meant to stir controversy in the first place. Thats my interpretation anyway.

Give me a break,
going to school abroad for a little while does not compare to being gone 35 years and running for Prime Minister. In no way does that ad attack your choices or life style. Don't flatter yourself!

A candidate for Prime Minister should spend their whole life in Canada trying to make it better place, someone who spent their lifetime keeping up on Canadian current events, listening to the voices of everyday Canadians needs and wants. Ignatieff clearly has not done that and we will never be short of candidates....next!

(and in no way does this mean I support the conservatives either!)

What a pretentious and arrogant letter.

What is truly ridiculous is the idea that traveling around, "learning" and seeing the "world outside of Canada" actually teaches someone something.

I am sure that as a highly privileged, university educated, white woman who is buying the same backpacking tourist packages as every other "elite intellectual" that you truly understand the nature of the world better than all of us regular people who do not have the funds to lead such a privileged existence or who are unfortunate enough to live in the true depravity that tour guides told you to avoid.

But, what is disconcerting is the value that Ignatieff and his supporters place on cosmopolitanism. Why? because it is inherently unpatriotic.

When a person's primary focus and priorities are on the "global community" and "Canada's place in the world" they can not be on what is best for Canada and it's people. How can they be? The global picture is more important. Right?

The bottom line is that as we continue to place more VALUE (key word) on other countries and their ideas, their ways of life and what is good for them (global community) the more we continue to undermine Canadian values and loose site of what is good for us.

Frankly, It would be nice if the rest of the world had such an unrealistic and unpatriotic view, but they don't and neither should we.

Our MP's and PM should not focus on what is good for the rest of the world, not what is good for Canada and the US, not what is good for Canada and Europe. They need to focus on what is good for Canada.

A well prepared letter, but the parallel is just a little weak! Good luck in your studies and wish you the best of future success!

Roast? Toast? No. More like boast. Silver spoon girl needs to get her feet wet for a while longer.
Nice try though. Articulate. Her parents have paid good money for that, so far.

Congratulations JanaLee..you are in fact MORE Canadian than most of us. By doing well and spending time abroad you are an ambassador for Canada. Yes indeed...Canadians can and do compete successfully at the highest levels on the world stage...and you are proof of that.

Same goes for the Liberal leader...his accomplishments are of the highest order and thus cannot be confined by national boundaries..

To imply that someone is less Canadian because he/she has spent time abroad is just plain silly...about as silly as stating that someone who has never left is somehow more patriotic...

Totally agree on your story. Traveling and living abroad makes you more tolerant and open minded. Most people are just afraid of changes and meeting new people and cultures. Aren't we all world citizens in the end!

Well, a lot of posts from the attack machine.

Is it not funny how the Conservative supporters promote the idea of second class Canadians (the "citizens of convenience" label), but only when it suits them (after all, the nice felon they chartered a plane to go and pick up had been out of the country for many years, but never once was that label applied).

The only reason they can "play to their base" this way, and not suffer the fate of the Republicans is due to the fact we have more choice in this country, and because some voters are more important than others (after all, a Toronto voter is worth less than a Saskatchewan one in terms of MPs).

Great atricle! Never mind the conservative hosers.

I am a proud Canadian and a lot more proud of that fact now than when I left Canada 10 years ago to work. I appreciate more now what Canada represents and what a great country it is than I ever realized before I left.

What I don't miss and am embarrassed to read about are the petty little things you guys now argue about and how you state your opinions like nobody else’s counts.

I am glad to report that unlike what someone might think by reading these posts the "Stereotypical Canadian" still exists, while travelling in Cuba last month I got on a bus and inadvertently stepped on a guys foot, he said "sorry" and quickly moved it, I said "you must be Canadian" and he said "yes, how did you know", end of story.

The negative, narrow-minded comments to this wonderful essay are a true indication of immaturity and ignorance. If this is what is considered 'Canadian', then we have a tough road ahead of us.

People are saying that Ignatieff is 'opportunistic' for running for PM. He has every right to. Just as you and I do. What's stopping anyone from working in politics if they so wish?

Also, is it really necessary for people to attack this author and her work? I think it's great that she does what she does, and she SHOULD be proud for following her dreams!

Seems to me that people are more JEALOUS than anything else. Instead of attacking bright, visionary individuals like Iggy and this author, perhaps you can apply your 'patriotism' to doing something productive towards our society.

Positive contributions and having faith in possiblity is certainly more 'CANADIAN' than condemning the 'audacity' of someone for having the courage to truly follow their aspirations!

Mr. Ignatieff and Ms. Cherneski - you SHOULD be proud of your accomplishments and for living your lives fully. And neither one of you needs to justify it or apologize for it!

At the end of the day, if "Ignatieff the Opportunist" can bring his ideas and energy back to Canada and to the job of PM (or not) making Canada a better country, then good for him. Having someone bring their best to the job for even a short period of time is better than someone bringing their OK game for a lifetime.

Moreover, for all of those people who call Ignatieff an opportunist - lets be honest - this is politics. Everyone in politics is opportunistic. Do you think Harper left politics for a time and then came back because he didn't think he would be Prime Minister? What about Stockwell Day's run for leadership? Or Jack Layton? Or any premier? Or any person who has run in an election?

We are all opportunistic in some fashion. It isn't a bad thing at all.

If only Mr Ignatieff had made video of him seeking Maple syrup in small shop, unfolding the Canadian flag in London or lamenting how he misses this country , we would not have any material for these ads that instead show him he doesn;t care for this country, is more American, meaning USA not "North American". Your very eloquent but miss the point totally. I am glad you are not behaving abroad like he did for close to 30 years.

Thats for your letter. I apologize on behalf of my fellow embittered Canadians who so easily criticized you for your oversea ventures. Clearly they are the ones that Harper is aiming at.

I agree, we are in the midst of one of the worst economies since the twenties and he responds by broadcasting attack ads at a formidable opponent. We need a leader who will focus on this country for the countries well-being in itself. Not a pawn to play whilst he attempts to forge a majority.

What the CP ads say to me is this: How can we consider a person as a leader of Canada if he has not fought long and hard in the mud of Canadian politics?

Our own little pond is unique and experience in other, bigger, ponds is of no value. In fact this experience is a bad thing because it makes you unable to understand life in our world. Which, as we know, is entirely separate from the other waterways of the world (created, de novo, by good ol' Canadian beavers).

And, yes, the target demographic of such ads would consider anybody who claims to be a scholar as a snob. Well-meaning (and well-voiced) as it is, this open letter will, regretably, not open any of the closed minds.

JanaLee Cherneski:

Nice story, but your parallel is a little uneven, I'm afraid.

If, after you finish your studies and you inevitably complete the remainder of your world tour, you return to Canada and live and work here and make a solid contribution to the country, in whatever field you chose, you will no doubt be regarded as a true Canadian with a cosmopolitan background.

If, however, you stay outside the country for 35 years and only return when persuaded by a political party who are convinced that you will not only become leader of that party, but also potentially the next prime minister; then you will be regarded in the same light in which we regard Ignatief. That is as an opportunistic carpet-bagger!

Uugh...

800+ words of Iggy apologist tripe, poorly disguised as patriotic altruism, and soaked in erudite arrogance.

Someone get me a pail. I'm going to be sick...

I think you have a little more growing up to do. Your article makes clear your good education and lack of maturity.

Wow, the amount of bigotry in these comments is astounding! The point being missed by some of the conservative commenters is that the argument against Ignatieff is nothing more than the "why did you leave our small town" argument.

It's pointless and only important to the pure laine bigots that think prejudice is the Canadian way.

Great Article Janalee. Don't let the prejudiced buggers hold you back like they've done to themselves.

Amazing to hear people attacking this letter.

A quote from a previous poster: "What is truly ridiculous is the idea that traveling around, "learning" and seeing the "world outside of Canada" actually teaches someone something."

Awesome. By this poster's standards - and to listen to Conservatives in general, it's best to stay at home and be ignorant.

Let's denigrate people for learning. Let's call people who are cultivated "snobs" and "elitist". Let's all stay at home safe in the comfort that there is NOTHING in the whole wide world better or tastier than a double-double from Tim Hortons! All we need to know is here in Canada! What could ANY of us learn outside of Canada? Now finally this is a vision that inspires me - Thank you Conservative Party of Canada. "Canada's back!" to quote Mr. Harper. How terrific.

I am from a very modest background. You could say that I am from a very poor background, in fact. My parents worked tirelessly to give me every opportunity to see and experience the world. They knew that the ways that they had been taught were not necessarily the "only ways" or the "best ways".

I appreciate Mr. Ignatieff's cultivated background. He's educated, intelligent, well spoken (and thank God not as beligerent as that Mr. Meany Pants Harper). He seems a proper gentleman. I don't care how many years he's spent outside of Canada! It's a good thing.

I travel a lot outside of Canada and trust me, Canada is lovely and all, but we can seriously handle a few "foreign" ideas. We have a lot to give the world, but we have a lot to learn as well. I for one, see this "absentee" Ignatieff thing as a non-issue. It's fodder for ignorant people actually.

It seems that you have missed the point about Mr Ignatieff.

It's not so much that he has worked or studied abroad as the fact that while doing so he renounced his Canadian citizenship and pledged allegiance to other countries.

He called England his adopted country and the USA "my country"

The length of his absence from Canada is also troubling.

I moved west from Montreal 37 years ago. I would be a complete hypocrite if I was to move back to Montreal and pretend to in touch with the community. When people ask me where I'm from, I always say Montreal, and part of me will always be a Montrealer. But after living in MB and SK for the past 37 years, I am really a westerner.

This is my problem with Ignatieff. He and the Liberal party always accuse the Conservatives of having US style policies, while Ignatieff has lived for so long in the US that he has US style thinking.

There is nothing wrong with being cosmopolitan, but that does not describe Mr Ignatieff. Opportunistic does. Just look at how he has become Liberal leader.

At the end of the day, if "Ignatieff the Opportunist" can bring his ideas and energy back to Canada and to the job of PM (or not) making Canada a better country, then good for him. Having someone bring their best to the job for even a short period of time is better than someone bringing their OK game for a lifetime.

Moreover, for all of those people who call Ignatieff an opportunist - lets be honest - this is politics. Everyone in politics is opportunistic.

Do you think Harper left politics for a time and then came back because he didn't think he would be Prime Minister? What about Stockwell Day's run for leadership? Or Jack Layton? Or any premier? Or any person who has run in an election? We are all opportunistic in some fashion. It isn't a bad thing at all.

Yeah, we get it. First of all I am NOT a conservative. Secondly, I don't have any more respect for the CBC for this drivel than I do when CTV pulls similar stunts.

Is there any real unbiased journalism left?

Iggy was gone for 34 years. When he has been back for 34 years, I might consider voting for him.

let's not be so sensitive. i worked abroad for six years and rarely did i put out the message 'look at me, i'm canadian' which i sense is the motive.

i can celebrate being canadian or whatever i want to celebrate by keeping it within. if i did wear a canadian flag patch or a hockey jersey, quite honestly, it was to attract attention and that is selfish.

as for the ads, when you have nothing else to put out, you attack. any new ideas, teeny tories?

For those of you criticising the author for being "privileged" whose parents are paying for some sort of Euro-vacation: you might want to learn what a Rhodes scholarship actually is.

For those of you attacking her for her alleged "pretension" - you're revealing more about your own intellectual insecurities than her faults.

And finally, Ignatieff should be judged only on what his policies will be, not where he worked in the past.

Living abroad - no matter for how long - does not make one disloyal, or less of a Canadian. Becoming a politician after establishing oneself in another career does not make one an opportunist. Like many Canadians, Ignatieff chose to go where he could apply his talents to make the best living for himself.

Harper's ads are appealing the basest, most provincial aspects of the Canadian character - the distrust and envy of success that has consistently driven our most talented citizens abroad to places that they might nourish their talents (Morley Callaghan, Sir William Osler, Stephen Pinker, countless actors, artists and writers).

Canada does not require load, outward declarations of loyalty of her citizens - no daily pledges of allegiance, no maple-leaf lapel pins. We don't even require those idiotic flag-patches on our backpacks, and know that those who wear them are no more patriotic than those that don't.

We are better than that. Harper's campaign would seem to think we are far worse. Judging by many of the comments here, he might not be wrong.

Leave it to the "un-biased" CBC to defend Ignatieff. The simple fact is the Conservatives have no issue with Canadian's working or living abroad. But Ignatieff is running for Prime Minister of Canada. He hasn't been in Canada for 34 years. If he loses the election will he even stay here?

I have to shake my head at the comparison of someone studying abroad to a man that wants to become our leader.

Just a guess but I truly believe if Ignatieff was leading the Conservative party that Canadian's would be screaming that he would want to sell us out to those DREADED Americans.

Hypocritical as usual.

As a proud young Canadian in the UK, I too consider myself an ambassador of the Maple Leaf. I identify with and support the ideas presented by Ms. Cherneski. Instead of griping over the latest batch of smear ads - why not use this piece as an additional insight into what we really want for the future of OUR country?

Working with a group of International educators has opened my eyes to both my own naivete and the ignorance of citizens of other countries. Kid yourselves not, fellow Canuks - your globe mates know less about Canada than even your close-minded view of the rest of the world.

European children are taught of the language barriers in Quebec (that place they speak french); of moose and maple syrup; and that Canada is part of one super continent stretching from Elsmere island to the southern tip of Argentina known as "America".

Meanwhile, I have learned the history of the Crusades from a 15 year-old boys, the stories of Freedom-fighters in the Spanish Revolution from a pot-smoking Spanish kindergarten teacher, and the difficulties of Chinese living abroad in the procurements of a Visa to travel from the UK to France.

I worry that the things I admire most in my country - advanced gay rights, accessible healthcare for all, diverse ethnic communities, and a forward-thinking society - have all but dissapeared in today's cashandcredit-obsessed media circus.

The world will pull through. Canada will pull through. What we need is a leader with a broad scope of knowledge and intellect to ensure that Canada will be a country to be proud of in the future. A county that can be used as an example for school children all over the world.

Who CARES where that leader grew up? Who CARES where they were educated? Who CARES where they paid taxes? These are not the things that make a great leader. Vision, knowledge and hard work make a great leader. Welcome to the real world.

Well stated young lady...and...thank you.

What a brilliant letter.

thank you.

Excellent article/commentary. I don't think that nearly enough people remember that the balance of the population of Canada, and the USA is descended from immigrants from Europe and elsewhere, who were looking for a better life. Like, why die as a result of the potato famine in Ireland, when you can emigrate, and take your fortunes into your own hands?

My parents came here from Britain because they realized that post-war England was promising them a life of hardship and penury even three years after the end of WWII.

We all went back to England in 1961. It was still difficult to find tires for automobiles, and sugar was still ridiculously expensive.

We're not mongrels. We are Canadian, and always will be wherever we live, however temporarily.

Tell it to Harper, sister! Anyone who has even the slightest incling of what's outside outr boarders knows that this country is best appreciated after leaving it for a while. In the case of Canada absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

To have some troglodite like Harper call you a traitor or an elitist for wanting to live outside your own borders just goes to show how small minded and petty he is.

It's high time we get this moron and his uneducated and backward thinking friends the hell out of parliament once and for all.

Nationalism is one of the banes of our society. It creates barriers and hate where there should be none.

I am not voting for Mr. Ignatieff; nor for any Liberal candidate.

However, that said, the recent Tory attack ads were nearly sufficient to change my mind. Were his policies slightly less reprehensible I might have been inclined to vote for my local Liberal candidate just to spite the churls who believe that attack ads targeting a leader are preferable to real debate of issues.

See that's where the tories fall down.

They KNOW that their policies are harmful to our economy, our environment and our nation.

They KNOW that the longer they hold power the more they can enrich their friends at the public trough while providing odious and poorly planned tax cuts.

So they don't WANT to challenge the Liberals on the issues.

Instead they would rather attack Ignatieff for his foreignness.

Bah.

The conservatives have been doing this for years.

They did it with Chretien. They did it again with Martin, Duceppe and now with Ignatieff. The oldest, and foulest, tricks are what these reprobates prefer.

When we next cast votes I will vote for my local NDP candidate. I would encourage others to do likewise as I believe that only the NDP has a viable environmental policy AND a commitment to social welfare.

But if you are one of those who will not vote for the NDP than please, show the Conservatives your displeasure with the foul stench of attack ads.

Vote on REAL ISSUES, not where Ignatieff hung his hat.

There are plently of Canadians who have lived in Canada their whole lives. That doesn't make them patriotic, nor does patriotism mean someone will be a good leader.

What if he has lived overall longer in Canada (in terms of age and total years spent in Canada) than his competition? Does that make him more Canadian? Sadly, because most of us don't know enough about the issues, we have to focus on the person as opposed to their ideas.

It is even worse here in the US. It's all about the person's charisma, behaviour and acting skills vs. concrete plans. What does he want to do? What are his ideas? That's the questions we need to focus on, not whether he has lived in Canada long enough.

I enjoy your sarcasm. The only thing I ask is that you direct your sarcasm to the party who has created these commercials and not to the country in general.

Like a large number of Canadians, I have traveled extensively around the world and I do feel that I have benefited from this. Please, do not group me and our fellow Canadians who have studied, worked, and traveled overseas.

Your vote still counts while you are outside the country, use it during Election Day, I know I will.

Generally I agree that attack ads are not the way to go and that the cult of individualism that Harper has excelled at polluting Canadian politics with ought to be challenged.

I would however say that all this negative tailspin is only possible due to the fact that Canada is a democratic backwater of the western world, a shame given its vast size, diversity in culture, and massive land base, primarily exploited for uncreative, raw export, little value added.

The main point is that our Parliamentary system is outdated and broken, with the first past the post elections that increasingly discount a majority of votes.

That most Canadians don't even question the way we vote, that most don't participate in town halls (that are mainly non-existent) or neighbourhood politcs (ditto last bracket), that 40% don't vote at all, and that people have an adversarial relationship in general to politcs but don't know how to do anything about it, suggests that the stupid debates between Harper and Ignatieff or about them are already a sign of a drowning political discourse. Until people empower themselves by action on the local level, by forming cooperatives and associations, drawing up large petitions to change our electoral system, and by becoming democratically literate, we are left with these dilute and often polarized debate about which doorknob is best suited to open the political door to nowhere. and we continue to gobble the planet at an alarming rate without anyone wishing to step out of the inertia.

Have I missed something? Was another election called while I slept? These ads seem to be befitting of an election year- it's not though right? It hasn't been 3 years yet...

Honestly, I can't say I am here or there on Ignatiff, I didn't vote liberal last year, and I don't really plan to in the next election either.

Although, that doesn't change the fact that unless Ignatiff has a passport from another country, he is nothing less than Canadian. It is hard to be considered a citizen of another country if you don't have the papers backing it. IF he does, than I guess that the issue needs to be addressed whether or not it's acceptable for a PM to be dual or such other related titles. Until than, honestly, what harm could he really bring to this country as PM? It can't get that much worse than a PM who was in denial about us being in a recession and thus did nothing about it before Parliament took their holidays last year.

I've lived abroad, I studied Poli Sci both in this country and abroad (and no, no one is paying for that overseas experience but me and my Student line of credit) and what I can say is that the experience opens your eyes to how the country you love and cherish back home can improve and better itself.

A lot of countries looked to us at one point for ideas in one sector or another but they improved on it while Canada just stands still basking in the glory of the greatness that was. There's always room for improvement (even if you are afraid of change!), having someone that's been overseas and has seen what works and what doesn't, and what could be applied here might bring a breath of fresh air to this country.

I did learn we do have quite a few things right and am very thankful for that, don't get me wrong but no one can say that everything is working out great. There's things in this country that just aren't working for us anymore, we need to admit that.

Some things could use a change, a face lift, an upgrading if you will and who better to do that than someone that has seen how other countries have coped and dealt with things (ie. healthcare, education, welfare), and what clearly would work and wouldn't work here? Someone that's spent "almost all their adult life" in Canada probably doesn't have much knowledge on how australia's post-secondary education plan works, or how Britain's health-care system works , or how Frances's pension system works (on the Aus note, if universities students here knew, guarenteed they would love to have their system implemented here too).

Countries looked to us, and there's no shame in looking at them for ailing systems here. One thing I took away from my experiences overseas is that yes, Canada is great, however- we know it. Thus, change to things that just aren't working doesn't seem to happen like it should.

MAYBE, just maybe, Ignatiff is the type of person we need sitting in the PMO to get done the changes that need to occur to keep this country as great as we know it is- regardless of where you happen to live.

Do I sense a little envy in the comments from those who are poo-pooing this article? All because this woman had the smarts and most of all- the work ethic- to study abroad ?

I guess its so un-canadian so be intelligent, hard working and be able to write.

Political garabage masquerading as commentary

I am Canadian, I was not born here, but when asked I am CANADIAN, I joined the Canadian military at the time of the Gulf War, I did not go to my birth county and join their military, when asked where I am from I proudly say CANADA, if it came down to it i would fight for CANADA before my birth country, does that make me a better Canadian that ignatieff, probably not, but at least I'm honest about it, not like some who try to hide political agenda's in personal commentary.

Just don't begin calling the UK or the US "your country" and then parachute back home to Canada after a generation of "being cosmopolitan" and expect the top executive position in the land without working your way through the system by at least holding a major portfolio like finance for example. Failure to realize Canadians want seasoned veterans at the helm has boggled many a dreamer.

Complaining from abroad about partisan political attacks an others credibility seems oddly provincial especially considering the apparent victim. It is just this sort of head patting Canadians don't get on with.

I too might be quick to judge Michael Ignatieff for being out of the country for 30+ years, except that I too am an academic, and am married to an academic, and so I know first hand that it isn't always easy to get back to Canada after having studied abroad. Why leave in the first place?

The reality is that, for many disciplines, having a PhD from a university outside of Canada makes it easier to get a faculty position at a Canadian university, but it's no guarantee.

This is the case for my husband's discipline, and so we left, hoping to return when he's done. Perhaps Dr. Ignatieff had a similar plan and perhaps it took 30+ years to get back. After a stint at Harvard you can probably get a job anywhere. He did return to teach at the U of T after that. It's not easy to get a position at Harvard or the U of T. They only hire "world class" professors and so it can take a while to demonstrate that you are "world class."

Would having a "world class" PM really be a bad thing for Canada? Perhaps at the time Dr. Ignatieff made the comments about being British or American he really thought he was going to stay in those countries because there were no foreseable opportunities in Canada.

If you've ever lived abroad, you know that being a "foreigner" can be challenging and so sometimes you try to fit into your new surroundings. Maybe he is a careerist and maybe because of the career path he chose it took him a little longer to get back to Canada.

What the people posting negative comments lack, and certainly what the conservatives lack, and what Michael Ignatieff certainly has an abundance of, is perspective.

If someone who self-identifies as an American, who is a former university professor, has an "internationalist/cosmopolitan" outlook (whatever that means), and spent the majority of their adult life abroad can be the Prime Minister, why don't we just elect Obama?

Or rather, Canadians can reject the notion that Canadian citizenship is something to be taken lightly. Perhaps the people, our land, and our communities matter more than high-minded ideals and feelings of entitlement.

In politics, there will always be a place for ideals, but why do we not place priority on our people and their everyday concerns? Are we so afraid to embrace our unique Canadian identity that we hide behind universal ideologies as a substitute for our own insecurities on the reality Canadian multiculturalism?

Just don't begin calling the UK or the US "your country" and then parachute back home to Canada after a generation of "being cosmopolitan" and expect the top executive position in the land without working your way through the system by at least holding a major portfolio like finance for example. Failure to realize Canadians want seasoned veterans at the helm has boggled many a dreamer.

Complaining from abroad about partisan political attacks an others credibility seems oddly provincial especially considering the apparent victim. It is just this sort of head patting Canadians don't get on with.

I can't believe how many people are actually agreeing with these childish attack ads. Don't you all think there are more important things to worry about these days than calling your competitor names?

Who cares, whether Iggy called himself British or American or purple for that matter he is still far more equipped to lead the country than the bumbling, vindictive idiots we have in there now.

Janalee Cherneski is my Canada.Janalee,you write the way I think.You'd make a great Prime Minister unlike the one the minority of people voted for.

When someone who has been out of the country for longer than our young Rhodes scholar has been on earth decides to run for and win leadership of a major Federal Party, is it not fair to speculate on how "in touch" with their native land they truly are ? I don't believe the Liberal party leader was known as much of a flag waver while out of the country. Maybe someone can show me examples of his unwaivering nationalism from abroad. The author seems to be condemming political attack ads as if they somehow represented the mood of the nation as a whole. Somewhere between the suspicions of every man and the rantings of political apponents like Stephen Harper lies the truth.

While I might agree that JanaLee Cherneski writes in a style that lesser-educated people might not recognize as coming from a fellow Canadian, she makes some good points.

But the best point was made by the commenters: that the average commenter is resentful, snobbish (YES!) and unduly envious of other compatriots.

The real criticism of Canada was leveled by those attempting to defend Canada from a pep-talk that was perceived as an attack by ignorant people who can't stop themselves from displaying their ignorance loudly - and proudly.

Oh well. At least we still have JanaLee Cherneski.

Dear Ms. Cherneski: There's a lot of difference between you and Michael Ignatieff - for one, you're better looking! But seriously, Iggy was outside the country for 30+ years and now wants to be Prime Minister!

I agree that cosmopolitanism is a plus, and we should not elect somebody who has never left Bugtussle, but there is a point at which one's absence from Canada might start to have an impact on one's understanding of Canadian problems and the Canadian psyche. Mr. Ignatieff has clearly passed that point.

In your own case, relax and enjoy your time exploring the big world out there. It will make you a better Canadian, able to better appreciate, as you obviously do, the benefits that we are so lucky to have as Canadians. When you want to come home, I am sure you'll find an open door and a welcoming country.

Wow. A lot of posters are missing the point on this one.

At its core, the CP ads against Ignatieff attempt to discount decades of valuable experience abroad as irrelevant in the Canadian political landscape. They hold up his years in academia has a detriment and not an asset. And the fact that he wrote to his audience and subscribed to using the "royal we" as somehow treasonous.

And similar to the McCain campaign in the USA, these CP ads attempt to equate being on of the best in your field as elitist. (Wouldn't you want the best leading your country?)

I have no doubt that Ignatieff has entered politics for personal gain. But how is that any different from any other politician of any other stripe? This ad itself is political opportunism.

Let's face it: the ads appeal to those people who are already loyal to the CP cause. They have the opposite effect to Liberals. But ultimately, a lot of effort is being spent on attack ads during an economic crisis while thousands of Canadians are losing their jobs.

Ms. Cherneski's article will strike a chord with a lot of people who may leave or have left Canada for opportunities that exist abroad.

Why would you come back if you are viewed poorly for leaving in the first place? In the face of this economic crisis, do we really want to be turning away educated, skilled, and experienced expats?

I'm very embarrassed by the ignorance and narrow-mindedness of the majority of commenter’s on here. I’m sure if we were discussing an American like Bill Clinton who was also a Rhodes Scholar and studied abroad the story would definitely not be the same.

At least I can feel better knowing that there are some decent people out in the world representing Canada with brains and talent.

Thank you JanaLee and keep up the great work. You will be welcomed back with open arms by the intelligent people of this country. Also, notice that the negative comments seem to have considerably large amounts of spelling and grammar errors? Hmm.

How sad we are. Many of us seem to need to criticize one of our own for having access to different cultures in their native geography, for becoming a true global citizen.

The last time I checked we are a species unique to this planet, not our nations. Why would we want to hear about life outside our self-imposed borders?

Perhaps because there is life beyond those borders worth experiencing, tasting, living. To those fuming about privilege and Oxford, try finding out what a Rhodes Scholar(kudos by the way) is and what it entails. Attack ads aimed at our own citizens seem not to be enough,from the various responses to this letter we must needs vilify anyone who who takes offense and stands up for themselves.

Shame on us, good on you. Please come back some day and share, thats all I ask.

Knowledge that is horded is a waste bordering on criminal. Welcome home anytime.

Living abroad does not make us any less "Canadian". I certainly don't feel less Canadian. However, living abroad DOES mean you are disconnected from the very critical issues those living in Canada have to deal with on a daily basis.

You can't successfully lead a country you haven't acutely and recently experienced. If I ever return to Canada, my experience living in the UK and most recently in Texas will make me a better citizen but I won't be able to honestly claim the same rights as those who have lived, worked, and contributed to Canada their whole lives.

Why would I? Perhaps Iggy could use the next 30 years to serve Canada in a capacity more fitting his long abscence.

Thank you for writing this! Whenever I post on the CBC and mention that I'm a Canadian living abroad I'm always subjected to calls for me to hand in my passport (no matter what the subject of the article).

To the people criticizing Ignatieff, think about how beneficial it would be for Canada to have a prime minister who is respected and recognized around the world, rather than one who is identified as 'the Canadian' by a process of elimination in G8 pictures.

To those suggesting that Canadians are denying their identity abroad, I can assure you that in the UK this is impossible. As soon as I speak my accent labels me as different. I am then quizzed about my home country. How can publicity for Canada abroad be a bad thing?

As a fellow Canadian studying in the UK, I agree completely with this article. It is completely ridiculous to say that one learns nothing by living in a different culture (as one commenter did), because as anyone who has lived abroad knows, it changes your perceptions on so many things in the world.

It scares me to know that when I return - in just under a month - to my hometown in Southern Ontario, I can be called a snob for having obtained a Masters elsewhere.

The anti-intellectual attitude put forth so often in Canadian media truly astonished me. Why do so many posters seem to detest those academics (Mr. Ignatieff - who happened to be on more than one of my reading lists this year - included) that refuse to fall short of their capabilities?

I would like to think that my time abroad, like the writer of this article's, has only improved me and helped me grow as a human being. Mr. Ignatieff's time abroad, though much longer than mine or Ms. Cherneski's, has given him the international and topical knowledge that will allow him to lead a party effectively and maturely.

JannLee has submitted a very well written and thought out letter. While I am Conservative by nature I am not a supporter of the new Conservative Party.

Mr. Harper is by far the most divisive leader we have ever had. He has his own agenda that I fear we still have not seen in its entirety, and has shown just how opportunistic he is in protecting his job at the expense of the country’s well being and harmony.

When he is defeated he too will move on to greener pastures or hopefully go back to his private life, we could only be so lucky as to have that take him well outside Canada.

"I am partly worried for myself: when I come back to serve you with the knowledge and experience I have gained from afar..." and that's the time you will experience what every new immigrant experiences

. Perhaps the knowledge and experience you gained from afar is not good for Canada, so you have to start from square one and prove yourself - or England is different than Russia, India, Brazil...?

I don't care what your reasons/sob story is for leaving.

If you come back and run for office after 30 years abroad..I'll be saying/supporting EXACTLY what the Conservatives are saying now...

Just because you read a few articles on CBC's website or talk to friends and family at home doesn't mean you a sense for or "paying" for what the rest of us do..

It seems that in the absence of any kind of reasoned thought, the Neo-Cons will resort to attacks on their opponents. Seemingly, just for the hell of it.

I don't personally feel that Ignatieff is any more intellectually-powered than Stephane Dion (I still feel that Dion was treated atrociously by the Liberal party), but he still has a right to the opportunity to follow through on his vision for Canada, regardless of where he spent several decades on foreign soil.

Ben Franklin spent years in England, and adapted many concepts from them in helping to grow his own nation.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It seems that a lot of knowledge is even more dangerous when the liberals/nonneo cons/control freak/academic ilk start with their rationale.

I would like to see the comments from the "academics" if Harper had spent 34 years in the US. Remember Mickey is close to the US because of his "ties" to former colleagues, a desireable trait from a Liberal.

He also wrote in the New York Times that invading Iraq was the right thing to do. Yes going abroad has certainly enlightened Mickey and the Liberals.

Another politically unconscious opinion from a wealthy or at least well off student, who believe herself to be a political citizen of the world, because she could better herself abroad. Congrats on the Rhodes Award but how do your intellectual goals and achievements translate into the betterment of Canadian society ? (ah yes, we learn more about the English through your experience).

This is so lame - and for one thing - there is no suggestion that Canadians operating outside of Canada are less Canadian, unless of course they say "we Americans." Is your worldy opinion of yourself really relevant to the Ignatieff gambit?

What a great piece of journalism. It sparks such a lively exchange of ideas.

In response to some of the responses:
When kennedy said "Ich bin ein Berliner" was he being disloyal to ths USA? Was it rhetoric or just good speachmaking?

When Stephen Harper was in opposition and climbed into bed with the Bloc in order to try and topple the liberals in the midst of the sponsorship scandal or when he prorogued parliament was he being opportunistic and self serving? Or was he doing what he, and most politicians, do and that is whatever it takes to gain and stay in power?

At the end of the day we watch the behaviours of our political leaders and their parties to determine their core values. What we see in our current government is a mean and nasty disposition. What we saw in the Liberals was a manipulative and duplicitous nature.

Neither inspire us to believe that they have integrity at their core. Where will we find that quality in our current leadership cadre?

In South Africa it came from a man who had had been in prison for 27 years. That sure kept him out of the "real world" of national politics. And consider his massive achievements. Perghaps Mr Ignatieffs time away should be viewed as a fertile training ground.

JannaLee you'll be welcome at any time to return to my Canada and bring those clear eyes with you.

I live in London and have a Canadian social circle. None of us have stupid canadian brand coffee mugs or maple leaf patches on our clothes. Canadians can be quite arrogant when they travel.

Living overseas makes me ignonrant of what's happening in Canada. I read the cbc.ca website and perhaps a canadian paper once a week.

I've been here 6 years and have no idea what has happened since I left. Except for the NHL league tables, we don't really pay much attenetion because we all earn our living in pound sterling.

This has to be a joke?

As an immigrant the ad sends chill through my bones. Most immigrants always have our doubts when it comes how conservatives view us. If they portrait somebody who is born here and temporarily left the country, what do they think about the loyalty of those of us born outside of Canada? Would they ever consider us as “equal” Canadian?

How widely this view shared? Where do politicians draw their line when it comes to winning? Do they have to sell their soul to win? Do these conservatives have something they believe in, that they do not cross?

It is politician’s lack of principles and values they stand for that created political apathy. If leaders are willing to destroy each other just to win then no reasonable person would want to get involved.

My observation is that we do not see many smart people in politics. Those cannot compete based on ideas have to use name calling and dirty tricks to scare away intelligent and reasonable people.

The only way to end this is by standing up to these bullies and reclaiming the political forum based on Canadian ideals just like they did in USA. It will take decades for conservatives to revive in that country. Even when they do, they have to change their outlook to politics otherwise, they will never comeback.

Truer words have never been spoken!!

I believe (and someone can correct me if wrong) that our present PM once said in an interview the he likes Canada but doesen't love Canada. Hmmmm True Patriot Love??
don't think so!

I find it truly a sad thing that Canadians, young ones especially, define one of the characteristics of being Canadian is the sporting a Tim Horton’s mug. How pathetic that is. I'd understand it if we had invented donuts or coffee or such, but we didn't. Simply put, Horton's has managed an effective advertising campaign that has duped many naive people into believing this company is a Canadian icon. In case you have forgotten, it's all just for profit.

By the way, British Columbians of my generation (not that old) had never even heard of Tim Horton's back in the 1980's. That hardly constitutes any longevity or "heritage" despite what Tim Hortons would have you believe. Reference the flag on the backpack; it is a well known fact that most Canadians do that in order not to identify themselves as American.

It's a further tragedy that we even define ourselves by who we are not rather than who we are. Sporting three suggests you are triply insecure with who you are. I would prefer to see ourselves as being defined as humble, quiet achievers and that approach does not require any flag waving. It's not being anti-nationalistic, or anti-patriotic, but simply comfortable with who I am (we are).

I suspect you have empathy for Michael Ignatieff purely by dint of the fact you are studying a Phd and you are doing so abroad. I too studied abroad and lived extensively overseas (and in more countries than Ignatieff) and view that experience as beneficial to aspects of being "well rounded".

However, when you become more life experienced, and hopefully more diverse in your types of life experiences (more than Michael Ignatieff anyway), then you might realize that there's far more to life than simply espousing "views" from the afar ivory tower.

Learn to implement and execute ideas in a practical and meaningful way. And in ways that are beneficial to society or the growth of the economy; don't just pontificate them. This is something Michael Ignatieff has failed to grasp despite the fact he's now in his fifties.

Oh, and by the way, before you throw rocks at an allegedly parochial Canada bear in mind that there is not one country in the world that would elect as their leader a person who had recently returned from 30 years living overseas. I challenge you to name even one.

Well said, Janna-Lee!

Please do not confuse the majority of Canadians with the Conservative element who paid for the pot-shots aimed at Michael Ignatieff over his somewhat cosmopolitan history.

Those television spots are politically motivated (obviously) and reflect the aprehension they feel over the appeal Mr.Ignatieff has for the Canadian voters.

Well-written letter with valid and important points.

However, it implies the agenda of promoting interest of an individual. The agenda does not fit the points being raised. Using glorious headings describing global awareness, commmunication, open politics and overall sisterly and brotherly love, to support political aspirations of an individual, who does not support open politics, is not only contradictory, but it offends the intellect of Canadian readers.

What is your interest in writing this letter?

if you think harper is a neo-con you wait for ignatieff. He was a strong supporter of the iraq war and believes that nations such as the US should have forces in the developed world. He believes it is their right to do so in order to save them from themselves. Isn't that imperialistic?

Does that mean he is interested in sending canadian troops where the US troops go? Is he planning to increase canada's military involvement in foreign countries similar to what the US does?

Liberal or not, His ideas are more in line with american ideas, maybe more so than Harper, who although conservative, he is a canadian conservative.

That is the problem with Ignatieff's 30 year absence. Do you really believe that he understand what canadians want. Do your research.

he was not a democratically elected leader of the liberal party, and if he becomes PM liberals will hate him. Just wait and see.

He is more an american democrat than a
canadian liberal.

That is the problem that I believe these ads were trying to highlight.

Dear JanaLee: Attago girl. I am surprised at the number of "anti-Iggy" comments. Must be an organized part two of the cammpaign as with so much of what the Harper mentality is made of.

You are so right. We are part of a bigger world. When we experience this we are the humbler, wiser, more... more... well, "comsopolitan". My daughter has lived in London for 14 years now, married (a Londoner) and is expecting her first child. She can come "home" anytime, will always be a Canadian in her and our hearts.

Personally, I studied in the US. When there "I did as they did" was welcomed and loved it. Yes there was an adjustment going and returning, would be for anyone, but what you bring back is worth it. Welcome home Iggy and I will be voting for you. Harper's principles are very strong. Unfortuantely they are divisive, egomaniacal and ideological. They appeal to the lesser side of the soul. Not my "cup of tea".

We are a great nation,a great people, but not the only great nation or people. So go abroad, stay as long as you must, love and be among those you live with; share, become better, come home and yes, serve your country.

I'm a Canadian living in the US at the moment. When I first got to the US, about 4 years ago, I was shocked to see how many Americans thought that having a lot of education was a defect--that lots of education made one an "elitist" and disconnected a person from the every day lives of less educated hard-working people.

I thought to myself, "Thank God most of my fellow Canadians don't think this way. At least they realize that lots of education is a good thing, and can make one a better person rather than elitist, and position them to get more out of their own every day hard-working lives than they otherwise would have.

How silly for so many Americans to think otherwise--to think of education as a defect that promotes character flaws! Too much Fox News."

But given the comments here, I wonder if I was mistaken about many Canadians. Maybe they can't offer the comfort I thought they gave me. Maybe garbage like Fox News has twisted many Canadian minds too.

Being highly educated doesn't make you an elitist. There are plenty of good, wholesome, hard-working highly-educated people. I know lots of them.

Being highly educated doesn't make it impossible to appreciate the every-day lives of less-educated people. All highly-educated people were once less educated themselves. And lots of them scraped and fought their way through their education, working every-day jobs to pay for it. Lots of them still work these sorts of jobs.

Finally, we must get rid of this silly distinction between academia and "the real world". Maybe enough "real worlders" haven't been in academia recently. If they had, they'd see that academics study...the real world! What a shock.