Canada is a Country

Photo Credit: Maxime Dore

“To become a country, and truly call ourselves Canada, it means we must become one.”

~ Gord Downie

Gord Downie’s quote struck a chord in my heart. It ignited my passions. He begins with “to come become a country,” yet we are already a country. He says to “truly call ourselves Canada,” yet Canada is our name. He says, “we must become one,” yet Canada is a united country where people live in peace and harmony for the most part, most of the time. Canada is a diverse country built on a solid foundation of equality, justice and tolerance. We celebrated our 159th birthday on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. I am proud to be Canadian and in today’s blog I’m sharing why.

Canada is a country. It has an identity. We are true north strong and free. Canadians are a crazy, beautiful mix of First Nations, Settlers, and Immigrants from all over the world. We are bonded by our true north climate, that forges us into resilient, strong people. Here, we are free to hold different values, opinions and beliefs. We are free to live in different types of communities. Every Canadian benefits from our public education and health systems. We need more resources and could be better, but we have more than many countries offer their citizens and I am proud.

Canada is a country. It strives to solve conflicts with words, not swords, whenever possible. Canadians don’t carry guns as a rule. Police have guns. Military have guns. Hunters have guns. Gangsters have guns. Our neighbours don’t typically have guns in their purses or pant pockets, their cars or nightstands. We don’t use guns as the first response at the first sign of danger. We don’t go to war or threaten other countries with war when our feelings are hurt or to our own selfish purposes. We don’t spend the bulk of our taxes on our military. But when we are called to support other countries that are our allies, we say yes and we serve and I am proud.

Canada is a country. It is diverse and Canadians are free to be who they are. It is a country where every citizen of every gender, ethnicity and religion over the age of eighteen has the right to vote in elections at all levels; federal, provincial and municipal. We are a country where people can choose how they dress; to wear turbans or abayas, jeans or tuxedos. Canadians are hard to identify by how they look because we have so many different faces, but we are united as one in our desires to raise our families, to be educated, and to receive healthcare when we need it. We don’t have to rely on insurance or employment benefits for emergency services and I am proud.

Canada is a country. It is modeled on the values of British and French cultures but was molded and shaped and sandpapered by the first peoples who called it home and the people who have travelled here from all over the world to make it their home. It attracts people who are kind and polite. We are a country that lends a hand to those in need, providing aid to countries in conflict and refugee status for those in need of protection from corrupt regimes. Most of us have manners; we say thank you and excuse me. Canadians are forgiving and committed to reconciliation. We hold empathy as a value and work hard to become the best we can be to one another, to witness and be witnessed and I am proud.

COMING UP…

Books & Projects:

·      In December 2025 I signed a contract with Austin Macauley Publishers for my manuscript, The Trials of Alex Anderson, a character-driven novel that explores the relationship between mental illness and trauma.  I am now on the road to publication, with an expected release date near the end of 2026. In February I worked with designers on the cover and its near completion. Last week I received the proofread manuscript for my review. Things are happening! I’ll be posting regular updates here on  my blog and on social media, so stay tuned for exciting new developments.

·      The Rogue Scorpion is available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, and Barnes & Noble. You can also find it at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.

Reviews & Interviews:

·      You can read, listen, or watch a large selection of reviews and interviews on my website.

Events:

·      There are no events currently scheduled in my calendar.

YouTube Channel:

·      Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer.