Should the beaver be replaced as Canada's national symbol?

A Conservative senator wants to replace the beaver - which she calls a "dentally defective rat" and a "toothy tyrant" - as Canada's national symbol with the more "majestic" polar bear.

The beaver has been Canada's national emblem because of its involuntary role in founding the country. (Alex Pajunas/Associated Press)Sen. Nicole Eaton says the polar bear is Canada's "most majestic and splendid mammal," and a powerful symbol in the lives of aboriginal peoples in the North.

"A country's symbols are not constant and can change over time as long as they reflect the ethos of the people and the spirit of the nation," Eaton told her Senate colleagues Thursday. "The polar bear, with its strength, courage, resourcefulness and dignity is perfect for the part."

Parliament made the beaver an official emblem of Canada in 1975. In heraldry, it's considered a symbol of industry and it appears in the coats of arms of many engineering schools. The beaver also played an important role in the history of Canada: its pelts fueled the fur trade that spurred exploration of Canada's wilderness.

Should the polar bear replace the beaver as Canada's national animal? Or would you prefer to see a different animal represent the country? Let us know what you think.



(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)