Canadian smugness undented by reality

A Globe and Mail article finds that a recent Pew study of attitudes shows that Canada still dwells in the mystical land of Smugistan:

Canadians, on the other hand, are utterly convinced of their popularity, with a breathtaking 94 per cent believing Canada is popular with others and only 4 per cent believing it is not liked.

Among developed countries, only the Dutch at 83 per cent, come anywhere close to Canadians in their conviction that they are beloved in the world.

But Canada doesn't win the sweepstakes as the world's leading land of opportunity. Asked where a young person should emigrate to in order to "lead a good life," Australia was picked by respondents in four countries, including Britain, the Netherlands, Germany and Canada. Canada was chosen as the leading land of opportunity in three countries — France, the United States and China. Two countries picked Britain and Germany.

Of course, even a bastion of self-regard sometimes has opinions about the world outside:

Canadians' views of American personal attributes are more negative than residents of any other traditional U.S. ally.

While 77 per cent of Canadians surveyed believe Americans are hard-working and 76 per cent believe they're inventive, 62 per cent say Americans are greedy and 64 per cent believe they are violent.

Hat tip to SOMNIA.