Musings on Being Canadian

The question of what it means to be Canadian crops up every now and again. Predictably, when our sovereignty is challenged, the question arises again and, like never before, our sovereignty has been threatened in the mid-2020's.

I was born and raised in Montréal, second generation on my mother's side, umpteenth generation on my dad's. My research, so far, shows ancestors in Québec back to the mid-1700"s. I've not strayed far, living along the mighty St Lawrence River, in Québec and Ontario, for most of my life. I've visited many parts of this incredible country and still dream of seeing much more.

I've travelled a bit outside Canada. A bit of Europe, a bit of Australia, a bit of the United States. I've seen amazing beauty and met wonderful people along the way. But I've not seen anything close to the wild and varied beauty of my home and the warmth and kindness of those with whom I share this country. I've thought of living elsewhere - perhaps some place warmer like the South of France. Or somewhere else in Canada, Nova Scotia perhaps. But I can't seem to leave "my" River. She has flowed by my side as I've flowed through life - some rough parts, some tranquil parts, all of them beautiful.

This is my home. It is a home of many colours, with many different "rooms", each with its own unique character. I believe our diversity has made us strong, our weather has made us resilient.

I am not one to say that Canada is the "best" country in the world, but she is for me. We have our issues - nothing is perfect - but, for the most part, we come together to resolve them. Together.

This country - MY country - has instilled in me the core belief that we are here to care for each other, that we are here to look to where we can offer help. It has instilled in me the belief that, despite our many differences, together we are better.

My love for my country, its people runs deep. As I sit here watching the snow gently falling, a little red squirrel watching me intensely, I can think of no place I would rather be.