Round 5: How do you get from...

First World War

The First World War (1914–18) was the bloodiest conflict in Canadian history, taking the lives of over 60,000 Canadians. It erased romantic notions of war, introduced human slaughter on a massive scale and instilled a fear of foreign military involvement that would last until the Second World War. Yet, the great achievements of Canadian soldiers on battlefields such as Ypres and Vimy ignited a sense of national pride and a confidence that Canada could stand on its own on the world stage, separate from the British Empire.

One battle that became particularly symbolic of the often futile violence of the First World War took place at Passchendaele ridge in Belgium. The feature film Passchendaele (2008) was based on the experiences of one Canadian soldier in that battle — the grandfather of actor, writer and director Paul Gross.

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Paul Gross

Paul Gross achieved international celebrity for his role as RCMP Constable Benton Fraser in the comedy-drama Due South (1994–99), about a Mountie in Chicago. The show was the first Canadian-produced TV series to become a hit on American prime time; however, CBS cancelled the show in the United States after its second season. Gross helped resurrect Due South in Canada as executive producer and head writer. He won a 1998 Gemini Award for best writing in a dramatic series for his work on the program.

As an inside joke for Canadian viewers, Constable Fraser’s K-9 sidekick — a husky-wolf mix — was named Diefenbaker, after Canada's 13th prime minister.

John Diefenbaker

Prime minister from 1957 to 1963, John Diefenbaker was a supporter of civil rights. In 1960, he championed the Canadian Bill of Rights and the extension of the vote to First Nations people. A charismatic and popular speaker, Diefenbaker could also be a divisive force within the Progressive Conservative Party, which he led from 1956 to 1967. Moreover, he was criticized for his indecision concerning nuclear missiles on Canadian soil and for his cancellation of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) Avro Arrow project.

One of Diefenbaker’s accomplishments as prime minister was committing Canada to an integrated air defence system with the United States, which became known as NORAD (North American Air Defence Command). Another Canadian who was committed to Canada’s air defence was John McCurdy, who served as Canada’s assistant director of aircraft production during the Second World War.

Snowbirds

The Snowbirds (431 Air Demonstration Squadron) are among the world’s best in precision formation aerobatics. The squadron is comprised of 11 CT-114 Tutor jets and piloted by serving members of the RCAF. On 11 July 1971, North America's largest one-day air show took place in Moose Jaw. Dubbed the "Saskatchewan Homecoming Airshow," its feature attraction was a team called, for the first time, the Snowbirds — a name that was adopted following a competition among local elementary school children.

“Snowbird” is also a song written by Gene MacLellan. It became a worldwide hit when it was popularized by Anne Murray.

Anne Murray

After recording with Arc Records, Anne Murray was signed by Capitol Records and released the album This Way Is My Way in 1969. “Snowbird,” a track from that album, was released as a single in the summer of 1970 and rocketed up the charts, topping the adult contemporary and country charts in Canada and reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record was certified gold in the US for selling more than one million copies. “Snowbird” was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003.

With 24 wins from 52 nominations, Murray is the most awarded artist in the history of the Juno Awards. Her massive crossover success spanned both the pop and country charts, and foreshadowed the careers of k.d. lang and Shania Twain. The winner of several Grammy Awards and an inductee into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (1993), Murray was made a Companion of the Order of Canada (1985) and a Member of the Order of Nova Scotia (2002).