When you think of Canada, what's the first thing that pops into your mind? Hockey, poutine, lumberjacks, Celine Dion or these attractive people:


Contrary to popular belief, Canadians can be sexy. REALLY sexy. Case in point: the vampiness of Nina Dobrev in her dual roles on 'The Vampire Diaries'; the long-but-not-too-long hair and aloof-but-still-caring nature of Taylor Kitsch's Tim Riggins on 'Friday Night Lights;' the everything of Nathan Fillion on 'Castle.'

In hono(u)r of Canada Day (and in honor of posting pictures of hot actors on our site), check out AOL TV's list of the sexiest Canadians on TV. It's a holiday weekend, you're not doing any real work anyway ...

As Canadians, we are often faced with the embarrassing proposition of either defining our country by the few symbols that are ours alone -- Mounties, beavers, maple leafs -- or leaving it a blur. When travelling or entertaining visitors from abroad, I've struggled to answer their questions about what makes Canada Canada. From food (poutine) to music (Celine Dion) to sports (hockey), the things we're famous for live large in the minds of others, but are only a part of the whole to us.

In some ways it's a lucky thing that we are not even remotely famous for our television shows. It's true that some shows have broken through the border to the U.S. There are Americans who have heard of 'Degrassi' and 'You Can't Do That On Television' and 'Corner Gas', but they are not a defining part of our nation's character -- take that as good or bad. And none of our shows manage to turn around and define Canada either, the way 'Coronation Street' or 'All in the Family', just two examples, have seemed to define the cultures they came from.