Thanksgiving: Stars and Sports Teams Canadians are Grateful For
Before we whip out our stretchy pants and gobble down some turkey, there’s one more thing to add to our gratitude list: the iconic Canadian celebrities and sports teams that fill our hearts with maple leaf pride. Whether it’s the charm of Ryan Reynolds or the on-court hustle of the Toronto Raptors, Canada isn’t short of national treasures to be thankful for.
In the true Thanksgiving spirit, we surveyed 3,000 Canadians to reveal which homegrown celebrities and sports teams they’re feeling the most grateful for this holiday. From stars like Keanu Reeves and Shania Twain, to powerhouses like the Edmonton Oilers – fresh off their recent Stanley Cup Playoffs run – the results are definitely something to feast your eyes on.
Here’s a taste of the results:
- Stars: Keanu Reeves ranks 1st as the celebrity Canadians are the most thankful for
- Stars: Ryan Reynolds brings home 2nd place, with Jim Carrey following in 3rd place
- Sports: The Toronto Raptors ranks 1st as the sports team Canadians are the most grateful for
- Sports: The Toronto Maple Leafs glide into 2nd place, with the Toronto Blue Jays following in 3rd place
These are the celebrities Canadians are the most grateful for
Keanu Reeves carves out the #1 spot as the celebrity Canadians are the most thankful for nationwide. Raised in Toronto and gracing our screens since the age of 9, he’s starred in over 80 films while building a true Canadian reputation – the embodiment of kindness and generosity. Beyond the silver screen, he’s quietly made a huge impact – establishing a fund for children’s cancer, gifting 7-figure Christmas bonuses to struggling Matrix set workers, and handing out Rolex watches to his stunt teams. Known for treating everyone around him with respect, Keanu Reeves rightfully earned the title of ‘Mr. Nice Guy’ in both Hollywood and Canada. No wonder the nation is grateful for him!
British Columbia’s very own ‘rizz’ master, Ryan Reynolds, swoops into #2 spot with Canadians feeling thankful for this West Coast treasure. With over 67 movies under his belt – ‘Deadpool’, ‘The Proposal’, and ‘Green Lantern’ to name a few – he’s charmed his way into everyone’s hearts on and off the screen. However, it’s not just his wit and charm that has Canadians feeling grateful this Thanksgiving. His generosity has been shown through his countless charitable causes – such as $1M to Food Banks Canada. He’s even been awarded the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in 2021 as a recognition to his philanthropic work and contributions to the culture life of Canada. Now that’s something to raise a toast to.
‘Somebody stop me!’ Laughing his way into the #3 spot, Jim Carrey takes his place in the national rankings with a comedic legacy, leaving us all saying ‘alrighty then’! Starting his stand-up career in Toronto at 15, Jim Carrey quickly became famous for his rubber-face expressions and energetic slapstick humour. From ‘The Truman Show’ to ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ and ‘The Mask’, he’s left Canadians – and the rest of the world – chuckling for decades. You can find Canadians, or Newfoundlanders more specially, giving thanks to the man who never fails to make us laugh.
Rounding out the top 5 national rankings, Edmonton’s very own Michael J. Fox lands in the #4 spot. With a longstanding career, he’s captured hearts worldwide through his film roles and advocacy for Parkinson’s research. Meanwhile, back in London, Ontario, Justin Bieber slides into the #5, proving that ‘Bieber Fever’ still runs strong across the country.
Canada’s MVPs: Sports teams Canadians are grateful for
Slam-dunking their way into #1 spot nationwide, the Toronto Raptors are the MVPs this Thanksgiving. As Canada’s only NBA team, they’ve built a massive, dedicated fan base – even cheered on by A-listers like Drake, The Weeknd, and Snoop Dogg. When they took home the 2019 NBA Championship, the city threw their biggest celebration in history – with 2 million people attending. The Raptors are truly the ‘toast of the court’ this Thanksgiving.
Gliding into #2 spot, the Toronto Maple Leafs are skating into the grateful hearts of Canadians this Thanksgiving. Despite the Edmonton Oilers’ recent Stanley Cup Playoff run, it seems Canadians are showing more gratitude for the Leafs. As one of the oldest and most iconic franchises in the NHL, with 13 Stanley Cup championships under their belts (the #2 most in the league), they’ve earned their seat at the Thanksgiving table.
Staying in the 6ix, the Toronto Blue Jays slide into third base as the most appreciated Canadian sports team this Thanksgiving. Just like the Raptors, they hold the honour of being Canada’s only MLB team, making them a true national treasure. They’ve knocked it out of the ballpark with two AL pennants and two World Series titles, cementing their place in MLB history. Whether it’s a grand slam or a diving catch, the Blue Jays continue to give Canadians something to cheer for each season.
Rounding out the top five national rankings, the Montreal Canadiens take the #4 spot. With a record-setting 24 Stanley Cup championships, they stand as the most successful franchise in NHL history – a true reason for Canadians to be thankful for. Also skating into #5 spot, the Vancouver Canucks follow, capturing the hearts of fans with their grit and determination. With three Canadian NHL teams earning their spot in Canada’s top five gratitude list, it’s clear that hockey truly flows through the veins of the nation’s spirit.
Conclusion
As we gather to celebrate our loved ones and the essence of what makes Canada special this Thanksgiving, it’s clear that cultural icons like Keanu Reeves and powerhouse teams add a little extra flavour to what makes Canada special. These stars and sports teams remind us of the pride and gratitude that makes Canada what it is today.
Methodology
In September 2024, we surveyed 3,000 Canadian residents which Canadian celebrities and major sports teams they’re the most thankful for. The average age of respondents was 35 years old. The representative sample size comprised of 54.3% female, 43% male, 2.1% non-binary, and 0.5% transgender.
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