Study says 85% Online Canucks have Facebook Profiles
According to research group Ipsos Reid's "Social Networking: 2009" poll, Canadians are flocking to social networking sites. In the last 18 months, the percentage of Canucks with a social networking profile has increased from 39% to 56%. This rapid rise in social networking users has Canadian marketers scratching their heads as to how they can best brand in the space. With more than three quarters of those online owning a Facebook profile, it's not surprising that the blue beast is the main topic of discussion in relation to marketing groups. Says report writer Mark Laver, "Online social networks tend to be extremely personal and this thus creates a dilemma for marketers and businesses - how to communicate in a personalized setting without upsetting the target audience."
Nevertheless, while traditional marketers are often met with resistance within the site, political advocates working within Facebook have had resounding success in Canada.
Perhaps most successful is University of Ottawa professor, Michael Geist's, outspoken stance against the introduction of the Canadian DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act). A little over a year ago, Geist launched his Fair Copyright for Canada Facebook Group in the hopes of educating the public about a bill he saw as a "sell out to American pressure". Geist believed that Bill C-60 would have effectively duplicated American copyright legislation and created an unfair imbalance between copyright holders and general consumers. Thousands of Canadians agreed and the Fair Copyright Facebook group gained widespread popularity.
On the day the DMCA was to be voted upon, the Facebook group had more than 25,000 members and Federal Industry Minister Jim Prentice dissolved the legislation in favor of further analysis. While there was no admittance from the Minister that online resistance was the reason, Industry opposition Charlie Angus exclaimed, "They tabled the bill this morning, now 3 hours later he tells me they've got cold feet? Did they just discover Facebook this morning?"
Whether Canadians like it or not, Facebook has changed the landscape of Canadian politics. Geist's Fair Copyright for Canada group currently has more than 89,000 members, and he was named the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Pioneer of 2008. Meanwhile, the Conservative government has promised to reintroduce the DMCA, but no date has been set in legislature. For more on the Geist and the Facebook group, check out the coverage on CBC's The Hour.
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As a Canadian, I am offended at your use of the word Canuck so deliberately. Would you like us to call you Yankees instead of Americans?
I can't believe you're a "Canadian" blogger, as per your bio. It's ok to have Canuck in the title, but not to repeat it in the text.
Guys, guys. I'm a proud Vancouverite AND Canuck (and sometimes but not always, proud Vancouver Canuck fan). I had no idea that our Charter of Rights and Freedoms had a 1 time limit on the use of Canuck in MY blog article. That must be a new section.
It's well known that you Vancouverites are the most self-loathing Canadians amongst us. Just become a part of NorCal already and let the rest of us eat our truck stop donuts in peace.
I guess I'd be a bit miffed if someone called me a Leaf, so it makes sense if you're annoyed to be called a Canuck. On the other hand, the Canucks actually made the playoffs this year.
Wow @Canadaian and @Mike Earl. Now I almost believe in-country Canucks like you deserve the high cell phone costs and books-and-dvds-only amazon for being so suck :)
disclaimer: I'm another cali-Canadian and I appreciate the hometown getting some coverage down here.
I don't know what all the griping is aboot.
Facebook is a great social networking tool to schedule Eugene Levy appreciation parties, flannel fashions shows, flapjack cook-offs, share pictures of mullets, and exchange 'For Better or For Worse' cartoon porn.
@DougMcKenize You left out Albertans and the Quebecios in the self-loathing Canadians classification. What, are you from Toronto?
Albertans? Self-loathing? HA! Oh boo hoo, we have all the oil money and two hockey teams.
Hey, whats the difference between a Canadian and an American?
Nothing.
If my 93 year old grandmother (born and raised in Melville, Saskatchewan, lived most of her live in Vancouver, British Columbia) has a Facebook profile, who are the lazy 15%?
The greatest benefit of Facebook is that it has many groups on the site that you can join. So if you are interested in Chicago Cubs you can research Chicago Cubs in the groups section and you will be able to find friends on there that like the Cubs. This is just one example, I know that you can join groups of your favorite football team, television show, or whatever you want for the most part! If you can't find a group for your interest, you can simply create one!
James
Too bad this good post has drifted into a side conversation, just because you used that offensive/slang word.
Some References from Wikipedia and The Canuck Library:
CANUCK () n. Slang. Canadian [sometimes offensive or patronizing in non-Canadian use]. Origin obscure.
CANUCK: Avoid this offensive term. Consider revising.
"Canuck" (pronounced /kəˈnʌk/) is a slang term for Canadians.
Too bad this good post has drifted into a side conversation, just because you used that offensive/slang word.
Some References from Wikipedia and The Canuck Library:
CANUCK () n. Slang. Canadian [sometimes offensive or patronizing in non-Canadian use]. Origin obscure.
CANUCK: Avoid this offensive term. Consider revising.
"Canuck" (pronounced /kəˈnʌk/) is a slang term for Canadians.
Thanks for the kind words Mike Earl. I'm not going to revise the post, but only because I think that "slang" isn't always "offensive"(especially since I am a Canadian). It's usually just an informal term and in this case, it's affectionately informal. Anyways, language is subjective and I realize that I can't please everyone. Thanks for your comments and for reading.
Hmmm...I didn't know RWW was a slang-friendly publication. I still don't agree with that approach. This term is acceptable between us Canadians, but put in the context you have written it in, it's patronizing and demeaning.
news to me, good to know.
Posted by: Marshall Kirkpatrick
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June 22, 2009 8:36 AM