(Post by Sophie Gold)
If flying saucers would never land in Lucca, then why, for crying out loud, would they choose Toronto . . . or Winnipeg . . . or Gandor . . . or Halifax . . . or Victoria . . . or Quebec City . . . or even Vulcan (yes, Vulcan, Alberta is a real place)?
Since our class discussion on Kerr’s satirical short story “The Alien Invasion as Seen in the Twitter Stream” (2012), I have been curious about the role of Canada in both the depiction and production of science fiction. To be fair, most of this interest is the result of excitement at the mention of Canada, a country often neglected in mainstream (ie American) cinema and literature, regardless of the uncomplimentary image of Canada that Kerr perpetuates. But, despite my instinct as a Canadian to defend my homeland against protestations of its irrelevance and obscurity, he does raise valid points. Why should Canada, a country known by most for its accent, weed laws, hockey teams, maple syrup exportation and comparatively high taxes, be of any interest to intergalactic intelligent life intending to contact or colonize Earth?
The following is a not-quite comprehensive list of why, at least in my admittedly-biased opinion, aliens might consider Canada as a prime location for first-contact:
- According to The Canada Guide, over 80% of Canada is currently uninhabited, with most of our population living in a handful of large cities near the Canada – US border. This is, in part, the result of our unique, diverse, and sometimes unforgiving geography as a country full of mountains, prairies, valleys, islands and tundra. Put simply, there’s a large chunk of Canada, such as the archipelago of islands in the extreme north, where humans cannot successfully live. However, if the alien life forms that choose to visit our planet possess the technologies, metabolisms and/or strategies to survive in such extreme conditions, what can stop them from laying claim to this physically uninhabitable land? Seems like a quick and effective strategy to establish alien territory on Earth if you ask me.
- To quote AE, an online database of Canadian Science fiction, “Canada, like space, is a cold and lonely place”. Although I am inclined to disagree with this statement, it holds some truth, especially during the long winter and for those who don’t live in the big cities near the border. Although there is a wide variety of motivations for alien contact with Earth, assuming they are not fleeing danger or destruction on their home planets, this could actually be an advantage. If Canada is so similar to space, perhaps the aliens won’t get homesick?
- Over the years, Canada has established a reputation for the politeness of its citizens. Even Canadarm, the robotic arm created by the Canadian Space Agency for NASA and the ISS, greets incoming aliens with a big, friendly wave. This stereotype, although not always true, could be immensely beneficial to aliens hoping to invade Earth. First of all, we’d probably let them. Second of all, no other countries would see it coming. Starting their conquest of the planet in Canada effectively provides them with a built-in element of surprise.
- Maybe their technology depends on the energy produced via the combustion of a high-sugar viscous liquid. . . like maple syrup. –Sophie Gold