"My father passed away from cancer in 1980, the same year as Terry Fox. I was 15. My mother moved our family to British Columbia that summer, which was both astonishing and life changing for my three siblings and me. My awareness of the vastness of our country truly bloomed then.
"We returned to New Brunswick in 1982. I traveled to B.C. on my own in 1983, at age 18, and have made it my home. Many people have asked me over the years, 'Which do you prefer, Eastern or Western Canada?' How could anyone respond to that? We are Canadian – Western Canada is very new and there is no comparison to Eastern Canada, which bears so much history. Both have so much to offer! And the middle and northern provinces have their own charm.
"My husband is first generation Canadian. His parents emigrated from France and he was born in North Vancouver. They moved to Vancouver Island when he was two years old.
"Our six-year-old daughter, Carmen, is Canadian. Her culture is so diverse, which really defines everyone who is Canadian, doesn’t it?
"I for one am proud to be Canadian. On Canada Day, we will attend a parade and festivities to celebrate our heritage and embrace the people who feel as we do, and also the people who may not.
"After all, doesn’t being Canadian define diversity?"
– Dianne Robb, Comox, B.C.
"What makes me Canadian? The question has been posed in many ways.
"What makes me Canadian is the fact that I have been born into a country of compassion, understanding, friendliness and, most of all, loyalty. Loyalty is what Canadians are. Loyal to the fight for freedom that makes our country great.
"Our fight may carry us across the sea or let us make a stand in our own backyard. The fact that we can make this stand is part of what makes us ALL Canadian.
"We are free to live as we wish, in the many diverse cultures within. We are free to fight for the freedoms of others. We are free to roam our beautiful country without danger.
"I am Canadian because I am all of the above. It is that, which makes me unique and proud to be Canadian. I AM CANADIAN and PROUD of it."
– Tracey Stanlake, Exeter, Ontario
"It's very simple, I'm Canadian, and being like that makes me proud because we as Canadians have pride in our free nation and we don't ever ask for much, well may be a Stanley Cup would be nice you know, but that's different. Canada is a country where we practice our beliefs, share our joys and pains and always unite in what we think is right. We take our pride in knowing that our soldiers are fighting for us, and we take pride in knowing that we are a peaceful nation of tolerance and understanding of others. How we support our teams in every sport especially hockey is what brings closer together as a nation as a family. What makes me Canadian is Canada itself, because without it we would be lost. Hail to the Red and White and our Maple Leaf.
"Our country and our nation – O CANADA! – is what I believe in and standing up and singing it with pride and honour makes me feel like I'm a part of something amazing and that's my home, that's my Canada and that's why I AM CANADIAN!!!!"
– Marianthe Grigoropoulos, Laval ,Quebec
"I have studied in top universities of the world and travelled a lot. I have lived in more than 16 countries so far. Canada is a country where I have an identity as a Canadian and I am proud of my country. There is no other land like Canada where all citizens from hundreds of different nations with different cultures and religions live in such a harmony and peace. We are Canadians and we know what it takes to be a Canadian. This country is unique. I will teach my kids to keep it so."
– Alex Noutash, Montreal
"What makes me Canadian is my acceptance and tolerance of others regardless of race, nationality, religion or sex. My ability to look at the multi-cultured population which comprises Canada today and look at those of different origin and religion and not fear them as outsiders but to live beside them as Canadians."
– Tyler Penney, Doha, Qatar
"What makes me a Canadian is not something I can easily translate into words. It is, perhaps, something as simple as the fact that while living abroad I feel compelled to write in to an insignificant tab on my browser window that is inevitably set to Canadian media. It is why my desktop picture is still an image I took whilst camping at Burnt Timber Campground in Alberta some seven years ago. Why I feel like I’m back at home when my mother sends me the latest season of Corner Gas on DVD. Why, when I’m dining out at a restaurant, I worry that I am not giving a decent enough tip … regardless of the service! These few examples barely scratch the surface when attempting to define what it means to me to be from Canada. How does one tell a Canadian how lucky it is to be a Canadian? Simply can’t be done, unless that Canadian has had a multitude of experiences outside of Canada. This is not to say that those who have never left home feel any less love for their country, rather, to define the differences one must be able to understand them. I wish that I could put forth some profound statement that would delve into the hearts of Canadians and instill pride but I cannot. It means something different to each of us, and it is that diversity that will allow Canada to thrive. Find out what it means to you in your heart, and never let that go. For me, today, I’ll be staring at my desktop wishing I were camping."
– Ian G. French, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
"I am originally from the U.S., having been born and brought up there. When I married my husband, who was a Canadian, in 1963, I had no intention of giving up my U.S. citizenship. However, the longer we lived in Canada, the more I realized that this was home to me now. I loved the people, the culture, the scenery and there wasn't one thing about Canada that I could complain about! Therefore, in 1976 I decided to become a Canadian citizen and am very proud that I did. While I still have roots in the U.S. and it is a nice place to visit, I wouldn't give up my life in Canada for anything. Now I have children and grandkids who adore this country too! We are all true Canadians and thankful for it."
– Judy Fulton, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
"Being Canadian is hard to define as it encompasses so many emotions and feelings. I read a text, a while ago, which describes how I feel about my country. This text evokes all the splendour, grandiose venues and strength of Canadians. Here are a few excerpts of that text, author unknown….
'I have walked this land, ridden, driven, flown and paddled across her millions and more millions of miles. I have blasted her rocks, channeled her waterways, survived her snows. I have run my hands over her face, searching out the strengths and beauties and moods of my country. She is rich, wild and potent.
'I came from all over the world and come yet. I came for freedom and brought freedom with me. I came in hope and brought fulfillment. I gave myself in barter for what I sought. In measure as I have made Canada what she is, she has formed me to her own needs. Her breadth and openness have infused me, have given me a firmer step and a farther look in the eye.
'I am not the average Canadian. There are no average Canadians, and this is my country’s glory. It is the surest measure of her freedom to be a nation of individuals, people who are Canadian by nature rather than by decree.
'I am Canadian, and I am deeply myself. For this I give thanks to my country. May she never falter, may she never swagger. May she realize her potential without losing her character. May she have peace, and may she give it. May it always be a proud thing to say : I am Canadian.'
"I give thanks every day to have been born in this magnificent land."
– Linda Roy, Montreal
"Hello. My name is Sarah Alexander, and I am from New Brunswick, Canada. I was born and raised in Canada, and I am so thankful for the kind of life I was able to have there. At present, I am living and working on a one-year ESL teaching contract in South Korea, but I miss Canada terribly. People here in South Korea are, of course, curious as to where I am from, and when I tell them Canada, they always give me a big smile in return. However, many people here are only familiar with the bigger provinces such as Ontario and the western provinces. It makes me proud to, more often than not, introduce them for the first time to the Maritimes, and in particular, New Brunswick.
"I miss the wide-open spaces, the friendliness of everyone I meet, and the red and white Canadian flag. I am so thankful for the freedoms that we enjoy as Canadians, and I am so glad that we have soldiers fighting for those freedoms daily. I am glad that we live in a country of so many opportunities, and that those opportunities are available to everyone.
"The saying is true that a person does not fully appreciate what they have until they leave it, and I can vouch for that. I am more thankful for Canada and my heritage there since I have left and I certainly cannot wait to return to my homeland."
– Sarah Alexander
What do you think makes us Canadian? Send your ideas to feedback@canadianliving.com.
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