Editorial: Leave it to polar bear?

Choosing the polar bear over the beaver for Canada’s national symbol might be the sexy thing to do.

But the idea, proposed by Con¬servative Senator Nicole Eaton, who referred to the beaver as a “dentally defective rat”is a slap in the face to Canadian history.

It’s particularly offensive in North-western Ontario, where the beaver trade is rooted in our economic past. It helped forge the first relations between First Nations people and European settlers.

Polar bears may be majestic creatures, worthy of saving, but they’re found only in Canada’s north.

Beavers can be found in every province and territory, as far north as the mouth of the MacKenzie River on the Arctic Ocean, as far south as Mexico.

The largest rodent in North America, the animal, according to Hinterland Who’s Who, has influenced the history of Canada more than any other animal

They’re also resilient. Hunted to near extinction, at the fur-trade peak more than 200,000 pelts were sold in Europe. But over the last decade, thanks to conservation efforts, they’ve rebounded into a healthy population again.

Polar bears and humans do not mix well. Just ask the folks in Churchill, Man.

It’s rather ironic a Conservative is looking to protect the polar bear, given the party’s track record on global warming issues.
If we’re going to do away with national symbols, let’s start with the senate first.