Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1614 - Are We Losing Canadian Identity? Culture, Confidence & the American Shadow
From Brian Crombie Radio Hour by NEWSTALK Sauga 960 AM
April 23, 2026 · 56 min
About this episode
A deep conversation about the state of Canadian identity and its relationship with American influence.
In this episode, I’m joined by novelist and essayist Stephen Henighan for a deep, thought-provoking conversation about the state of Canadian identity today. Has it been quietly overshadowed by American influence, or is something more complex unfolding beneath the surface? We explore why many students can name more American cities than Canadian ones, the subtle decline of Canadian books and media, and the growing cultural divide between downtown cores and suburban communities. We also unpack the evolving nature of immigrant identity in Canada and how nationalism itself has shifted over time. Plus, we discuss Henighan’s latest novel The World of After, which examines identity through the lens of Canadians living abroad. This isn’t a surface-level discussion — it’s an honest look at culture, belonging, and whether Canada still knows who it is.
People in this episode
Host: Brian Crombie
Guest: Stephen Henighan
Topics covered
- Canadian identity
- American influence
- cultural divide
- immigrant identity
- nationalism
- literature
Keywords
- Canadian identity
- American influence
- cultural divide
- immigrant identity
- nationalism
- literature
- Stephen Henighan
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The World of After
Places: Canada, American
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