ABSTRACT
Traditional Canadian identity conceptions, underpinned by legends of the War of 1812, benevolent mounties or the golden era of Canadian diplomacy under Lester Pearson, foster pride in the country's multiculturalism, its openness towards immigration, its strong involvement in multilateral institutions and its expertise in peacekeeping. The strongest opposition party was the Canadian Alliance with 66 seats followed by the Bloc Qubcois with 33 to 38 seats, the centre-left New Democratic Party with 13 seats and the Progressive Conservatives with 12 seats. In December 2003 the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives merged to form the Conservative Party of Canada. The resonance from Parliament, the media and public opinion also reflected a certain indeterminacy of what constitutes an appropriately Canadian response which 9/11 appears to have prompted to many Canadians. The Canadian government indeed acted with relative restraint in its securitisation process leading to enhanced domestic counterterrorism legislation, especially in comparison to the parallel processes in Australia and the UK.
