Los Angeles-based Canadian writer Linda Massarella posted a list of the 10 most influential Canadians in the United States in 2009, and Canadian of the Week fully endorses it.

Massarella kept her list to what she called “those who are most boldly Canadian, who exude Canadian-ness in their speech and actions, who when interviewed say, ‘I’m from Canada,’ and give as much time to their homeland as to their adopted town.”

Coming in first was Luc Robitaille, the former left winger-turned team president of the Los Angeles Kings. As an L.A. native now living on the east cosat, and former Kings’ season ticket holder, I love this choice. I just worry that it’s a little too insider-y, but big points for sticking to the national sport and honoring a man who has made hockey successful in L.A. for nearly three decades.

Also making the list were recent Canadian of the Week picks James Cameron and William Shatner.

Check out of the full story here.

It was only a matter of time before The Shat was named Canadian of the Week.

The Montreal native has entertained us in some form or another for more than half a century, and in a revealing and fascinating interview with GQ this month, William Shatner opens our eyes to what makes Shatner SHATNER.

In the article, he opens up about giving in and joining the joke that had become of his career after years of trying to be taken seriously as an actor.

Unsuccessful at shedding the Capt. James T. Kirk aura, Shatner bought into it and embraced the Trekkies, and also developed his own aura in the form of an eccentric and dramatic spoken wordsmith who has taken on Priceline commercials and, more recently, Sarah Palin speeches.

And now, at age 78, Shatner is hotter than ever.

You’ll have to get your hands on a copy of GQ to read the full article, but to hear some audio excerpts of the interview, click here.

Photo: BIO