I'm never sure what threads are snark or serious.

Is St. Joseph really the patron saint of Canada? I heard of Canada {mostly from "Canada Dry Gingerale". But I didn't know that Canada had a patron saint.

And-probably since I'm not Catholic, I had never heard of St. Joseph Day. But thanks to the wonder of Google, here's what I found:

"St. Joseph's Day is a Roman Catholic feast day commemorating the life of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

CELEBRATION
Those with strong religious associations, often those of southern Italian descent, typically celebrate St. Joseph's Day.

Those who visit a St. Joseph's table, often receive gifts of fava beans and breads. Fava beans play an integral part of the celebration because this was the food that saved the Sicilians from starvation. The bean is said to bring good luck, and it is believed that if the St. Joseph's bread is kept in the home, the family will never starve.

HISTORY
During a famine in Sicily, when food was scarce and many people were starving, the poor people had only their faith to rely on. St. Joseph was known as the protector of the Holy Family; thus, Italians with strong family relationships prayed for St. Joseph to intercede for them, in an effort to ensure successful crops. Their prayers were answered, and the famine came to an end. In gratitude, people promised to make annual offerings of their most precious possession –food – in St. Joseph's honor.

TRENDS
• Catholics prepare "St. Joseph Tables," set to honor St. Joseph. They are filled with beautiful and often elaborate foods, including meatless dishes such as stuffed artichokes, pasta and fish, as well as breads, cookies, pastries, cakes and other delicacies.

• St. Joseph Tables are placed in both churches and homes. Each table is blessed by a priest and presided over by a statue of St. Joseph. A stalk of lily blossoms, votive candles and a lace tablecloth are typically used to decorate the feast table.

• Notices are posted in newspapers and in other media inviting the public to view and partake of the traditional meal of pasta Milanese. Participants often leave donations at the table.

• Special groups such as orphans, the elderly or the homeless are invited to share in the feast. At the end of St. Joseph's Day, leftover food is sold or given away, and any money earned is donated to the poor."

Source:
http://pressroom.hallmark.com/st_josephs_day.html

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This same website said that in some countries St. Joseph Day-March 19th-is a national holiday. Is it a national holiday in Canada?
And why is St. Joseph the patron saint of Canada? Are there alot of Italians in Canada?

I mean no disrepect. These are serious questions and not snark.