Last week, we asked listeners for suggestions for Canada's Most American City. The most persuasive arguments came for Windsor Ontario. Shawn Micallef is a Windsorite and we asked him to drive the argument home.
CBC Radio
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What is the most American city in Canada?
Windsor, Ontario, was the most persuasive answer according to our listeners, whom we asked last week.
And according to writer Shawn Micallef, who was born and raised in Canada's southern-most city, it's the only acceptable contender for Canada's most American city.
"It's this odd part of Ontario that projects into the heart of the midwest" says Micallef, author of the new book Frontier City: Toronto on the Verge of Greatness.
People in Windsor watch Detroit local news as religiously as they watch the CBC or read the newspaper. We used to subscribe to the Windsor Star newspaper as well as the Detroit Free Press. They were both delivered to our house, so we had this on-the-ground knowledge of that city and its suburbs.- Shawn Micallef
Windsor is a city, Micallef says, where everyone usually has their passport on hand because they are very likely to make a quick trip across the border.
It's also a city, he says, where there was once a Canadian Tire that used to display on their wall the number of Detroit Red Wing mud flaps they sold versus Toronto Maple Leafs flaps, and the number was always split basically 50-50.
"The loyalties in Windsor are certainly for sure Canadian, but maybe the spiritual loyalty is split between the two."
Also, Windsor has different CanCon rules from the rest of the country, Micallef says.
Because radio stations in Windsor were struggling to keep their listeners, who were tuning into the Detroit stations to hear the latest American hits, the percentage of Canadian content required has always been a little less than the rest of the country.
"They didn't have to play as much Corey Hart in the '80s as places up the 401 did," Micallef laughs.
Micallef also thinks there are some other things the rest of the country should know about Windsor: it's fun, friendly, and it's actually worth visiting — so don't just passthrough it on your way to the U.S.
"Windsor has always had a good scene that'sbeen in the shadow of Detroit. It's a very friendly place, a good working class town."
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The article discusses the argument that Windsor, Ontario, is considered the most American city in Canada. The case is presented by Shawn Micallef, a Windsorite who emphasizes the city's strong cultural ties and proximity to the United States.
Let's break down the concepts used in the article:
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Windsor, Ontario: A city in Canada situated at its southernmost point, bordering Detroit, Michigan, in the United States. This location creates a unique cultural blend due to its proximity to the U.S.
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Cultural Influence from Detroit: Windsor residents are highly engaged with American culture, particularly from Detroit. They watch Detroit local news, have strong affiliations with Detroit sports teams (Detroit Red Wings), and frequently cross the border.
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Passport Usage: Residents often carry their passports due to the frequent border crossing between Windsor and Detroit, reflecting the close ties and ease of travel between the two cities.
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Media and Entertainment Preferences: Windsor's proximity to Detroit influences its media consumption. Radio stations in Windsor played less Canadian content compared to other parts of Canada to retain listeners who tuned into Detroit stations for American hits.
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Cultural Loyalties: While there's a strong Canadian identity, the cultural allegiance sometimes seems divided between Canada and the U.S., particularly evident in sports team preferences and media consumption.
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Distinct Characteristics: Micallef highlights Windsor as a friendly, working-class town with its own vibrant scene overshadowed by the nearby city of Detroit. He encourages people not to overlook Windsor as merely a pass-through city.
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CanCon Rules: Windsor had different Canadian Content (CanCon) rules due to struggles in retaining listeners. The percentage of mandatory Canadian content on radio stations was lower compared to other parts of the country.
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Cultural Significance: Micallef asserts that Windsor is a worthwhile destination with its unique charm and welcoming atmosphere, urging visitors to explore the city rather than just passing through.
These concepts collectively paint a picture of Windsor as a Canadian city strongly influenced by its close proximity to Detroit, leading to a cultural blend that embraces both Canadian and American elements. The article captures how this proximity has shaped various aspects of Windsor's culture, from media preferences to cross-border lifestyles.
