Image Credit: The Canadian Press

By James Peters

Two & Out

PETERS: Raptors fandom holds a mirror to how a lot of us feel about Canada as a whole

May 31, 2019 | 5:10 AM

THE TORONTO RAPTORS kicked off their first appearance in the NBA Finals the right way Thursday, beating the favoured Golden State Warriors comfortably.

There’s a decent chance the Raptors could bring Canada its first title in the four major sports since 1993.

Seeing fans across Canada react to the Raptors success is a microcosm of regional divisions that are only deepening in our country.

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While there are many fans cheering on Canada’s only NBA team out here in Western Canada, it would be inaccurate to say the nation is behind them.

Just because the Raptors are the only team north of the border doesn’t automatically mean Canadians are on their side.

Many people are commenting that they feel more connection to teams like the Portland Trail Blazers — the closest NBA market to BC geographically.

This is not to mention the nationwide undercurrent of animosity toward the city of Toronto — the so-called Centre of the Universe.

The antipathy toward the Raptors mirrors general antipathy toward eastern Canada in the broader realm.

We here in Western Canada seem more invested in our regional identities than in our national identity, and that has led to separatist movements that have more than a few supporters.

In B.C., some are convinced the Cascadia Bioregion would be a more appropriate political jurisdiction than our current states and provinces. Albertans are in a category unto themselves, but also relate more closely politically and economically to the Prairies, whose residents also rely on what the land gives them for their prosperity.

The priorities of those in Eastern Canada seem far removed from us largely because those places are so far removed from us.

So if we really believe in Canada, we have to ask: ‘What brings us together?’

Travel is one way to come together. It’s hard to hate on Toronto once you’ve been there and experienced what makes its residents love it so much.

But getting behind a common cause is another thing.

National unity may have been strongest during the World Wars of the 20th Century.

It’s pretty strong when our national hockey team is doing well at the Olympics, too.

So maybe rallying behind our one professional basketball team — even if it does have ‘Toronto’ on its jersey — is another good way to come together as a country.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.