Canada

If 1990 was a bitter year for Canada, 1991 promises to be an ugly one. Canada's traditional lack of a strong national identity has come home to haunt the country with a vengeance.For Quebecers, especially, provincial loyalty far outweighs any they may feel toward the country as a whole. Now they are feeling their provincial oats and are in a constant state of demand and threat. Much of the rest of the country is tired of the Quebec posture and is mumbling, "Go already." But having Quebec break from confederation is not a solution, but a source of worse problems.

Sorry, we can't be nationalistic about this, but the best thing that could happen to America's greatest game, baseball, is for the Toronto Blue Jays to win the World Series. The sport would be elevated to a higher level of prestige and acceptability. And, with it, too, would come an enormous element of goodwill.Baseball aside, Canada has been our country's closest friend. Diplomatically, socially, politically and economically. There's equal access, going and coming, to what is an almost invisible border between the two nations.

TWO recent events, one unfortunate and one exciting, seemingly unrelated.But maybe not.For through the second, exciting event comes the potential for neutralizing the unfortunateness of the first, and also for correcting one of America's great mistakes.The first event was the regrettable success of the Toronto Blue Jays against the Philadelphia Phillies. And why did so many find this regrettable? Let's be honest. It isn't just that the Blue Jays are bland. Nor is it just that they play in a carpeted mausoleum.

MERIBEL, France -- Eric Lindros, the strapping sensation who withheld his superior skills from the NHL, flashed them at the Winter Olympics with two goals and an assist, sparking Canada to a 6-1 win over Switzerland yesterday."

MONTREAL - So, did you hear that Canada is finally granting the vote to citizens of Irish ancestry? And that diabetics in this realm of permafrost can take heart that legalization of insulin appears just around the corner? And the country's public school system is expanding to offer ninth grade? That's the good news. On the downside, it's doubtful that Canada will find the moral fiber to end its unhappy custom of stranding old folk in the Arctic to cut social security costs. And global warming poses a threat to the national Parliament building - constructed, as everyone knows, of ice bricks in the form of a giant igloo.

PERTH, Australia - Doug Shanahan scored four goals and the United States overcame a two-goal halftime deficit to defeat Canada, 18-15, yesterday for the 2002 International Lacrosse Federation world championship. The Americans have now won six consecutive ILF titles since losing to Canada in the 1978 title game. The Canadians took a 9-7 halftime lead, but then the United States outscored Canada - which got four goals each from John Grant Jr. and Tracey Kelusky - 6-1 to take a 13-10 lead entering the final quarter.

MONTREAL -- In just two weeks, the predominantly French-speaking inhabitants of Quebec will vent their frustration and fury at the rest of Canada in provincial elections that may mark the beginning of the end for the 127-year-old confederation of 10 provinces.There is little doubt about the outcome of the Sept. 12 elections for the provincial parliament, known as the National Assembly. Every poll, nearly every pundit and most foreign diplomatic observers predict that Quebecers will give the staunchly federalist Liberal Party the heave-ho and return the secessionist Parti Quebecois to power after nine years in the political wilderness.

Clint Peay's goal against Canada Thursday helped the United States under-20 soccer team advance to the 1993 under-20 World Cup, to be played next summer in Australia.Peay, a former Oakland Mills High School player, tied the game against Canada, 1-1, scoring on a volley off a corner kick in the 49th minute.The U.S. team went on to beat Canada, 2-1, in that final championship-round game, giving it an overall 5-1 record in the North and Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation qualifying tournament, held in British Columbia.

TORONTO -- Under strong U.S. trade pressure, the Canadian government announced yesterday that it would end discrimination against imports of foreign beer over the next three years, which could be a boost to the G. Heileman Brewing Co. brewery in Halethorpe.The confrontation between the United States and Canada over beer sales is one of several trade disputes that has had the two North American partners accusing each other of protectionist ways recently. Other battles are being fought over lumber and automobiles.

MANCHESTER, England -- Coach Tony Seaman called it "another day at the office," but the United States' 16-10 victory over Canada yesterday in round-robin play at the World Lacrosse Championships clearly established the Americans as the team to beat.The defending champion Americans (2-0) won with a dominating second quarter in which they outscored Canada 7-0 -- with each goal scored by a different player -- to take a 12-4 lead at the half.Only four players scored for Canada (1-1). Three goals from Paul Gait kept the score close in the first quarter, and two goals each from Paul and Gary Gait fueled a five-goal rally in the fourth.