The Levy’s main concept for the show was to show a town that was without prejudice - an aspirational perspective to make more palpable what it could be like if there wasn’t strong undercurrents of ideologies like racism and homophobia.

The Levys were following an uniquely Canadian comedy tradition about not punching down people in small towns. If Schitt’s Creek had been American there would be a strong chance that there would have been homophobic character who becomes the butt of the joke, who’s there to make the audience go “Haha, stupid hick.”

Dan Levy said in an interview with Vulture:

“I have no patience for homophobia,” he explained. “As a result, it’s been amazing to take that into the show. We show love and tolerance. If you put something like that out of the equation, you’re saying that doesn’t exist and shouldn’t exist.” As a sign of validation, Levy, who created the sitcom with his father, Eugene Levy, received many letters from viewers who specifically mentioned how the lack of prejudice against the couple made them do some self-reflection. “The letters we’ve been receiving are from people who realized their beliefs were biased or homophobic or bigoted, and we created a space where love and acceptance is paramount,” he said. “We’ve watched the growth and comfort of people who outwardly live their lives and aren’t being feared of being targeted. And it has a ripple effect into people’s homes.”

If the Levys had gone the way of punching down onto small town people, I don’t think Schitts Creek would have been as effective in getting people to re-evaluate the beliefs.

Isaac Cabe’s article As ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Ends, Let’s Appreciate Some Canadian Comedy, Eh? really highlights this uniquely Canadian comedy tradition.