It’s a feeling I have when I cross the border or leave customs and arrive at Pearson Airport. A feeling deep down in my gut when someone sees my lapel pin of the Canadian Flag and is happy to see me. Standing on a dock or sliding through the waves of a lake breathing clear and refreshing air, listening to the birds fly by. It’s a feeling I get while I watch the snowflakes drop onto the driveway I’ll need to shovel shortly.
What is a Canadian? Many of my American friends ask me that question often spouting off that we are much alike. The only differences they see and hear is that our nation is pretty clean, we have no audible language difference(unless we are Quebecers or from The Rock), and we are not a gun-loving society with a lot less violent crime than America has experienced. Oh, yeah, also we must be a nation of good humour, having a huge number of comedians living and running Hollywood.
To understand what Canadians are, we need to ask why people all over the world want to come here instead of other global destinations.
We are a freedom-loving people based upon a historic democratic foundation
Most Canadians appreciate and enjoy our great wilderness and outdoors.
We have a land that offers great opportunities to entrepreneurs, and skilled and unskilled people.
Our economy is always evolving with a centered vision both domestic and global.
Our education and healthcare systems also are evolving towards fulfilling public needs.
Canadians seem to care about each other in a real way. Taxes are high, yet the public places their concerns for the betterment of their fellow citizens, new Canadians and the environment in the front burners of policy. We seem to give a damn about public safety, while also respecting other’s rights and concerns. Canadians seem to be gentler North Americans, never boasting or showing off, but working towards peace and civility here and abroad. Canadians can be great warriors but seem to excel as peacekeepers.
Whether we have been born here, have generations of family history to be proud of, or have just arrived in a new land, our respect towards others makes us special. Having travelled internationally a great deal, I never get over the feeling I experience once I journey towards my home town. Regionality presents to us a different flavour of Canada, but we are united as one when our flag blows in the wind, when one of our sporting teams wins again, or we intermingle with our neighbours and friends.
Canada Day may not bring out a lot of flags, but within our hearts blows the wonder and love for a land filled with incredible people, beautiful landscapes and most of all Hopeful Promise.
“When I am in Canada, I feel this is what the world should be like” Jane Fonda
“There are no limits to the majestic future that lays before the mighty expanse of Canada with its virile, aspiring and cultured, generous-hearted people” Winston Churchill
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
[email protected]
