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Jack’s
story - Canadian
I was lucky enough to be born in Canada. Growing up. I took for granted
the immense privilege living in this beautiful country afforded me. At
21, it is just now that I realize the true power of this privilege.
My grandfather, came to Canada in 1950 a week before Christmas. He came in search of a better life and found it here in Canada. He was one of the proudest Canadians I have ever met. During his life, he was an accomplished author with his book about people from the Netherlands emigrating to Canada, he raised over $25000 for charity, he was in a special public service commercial as a tribute to the veterans who liberated Holland from war (my other grandfather a multi-generational Canadian is one of those veterans), and shortly before his death completed a CD of his music. The proceeds of this CD were donated to charity - food baskets for needy families, a musical scholarship for a worthy youth and a donation to a shelter and education center for street kids.
He always celebrated Canada in the way it deserves to be honoured. He encouraged not only our family, but everyone that he met.
I did not choose Canada, but I am so glad the people I love did it for me.
Jemimah’s story
On a recent trip to Italy, I had the fortunate experience of traveling
with several Americans who made up most of our tour group. In our many
passionate discussions about the war in Iraq and President Bush, they
expressed their apprehension and sadness over the American’s 1st
amendment; the right to free expression.
A common liberty most Canadians take for granted, our neighbours to the south were quick to point out how lucky we are to be able write and speak our minds without fear of retribution.
Thinking the Italian trip was an isolated situation I came across the same situation again. My husband and I recently sat with two people who were from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and once more the same discussion came up. They actually said that they were envious of us. They express how lucky we are to be free to say things against our government and Prime Minister without being reprimanded with hate literature or ostracized by neighbours because of our strong opinions.
Being a trainer and a writer, it’s difficult for me to believe living in the so call ‘free world’, that an obvious commonplace freedom, as speaking your own mind is ever questioned.
I’m thankful I live in a country where we can voice our political opinions, express our personal views and find humour in the daily soap opera of life, without fear.
John’s
story – Canadian
Why do I live in Canada? An excellent question!
Here is the long answer. I am a first generation Canadian. I have traveled extensively and have had the opportunity to live in other countries, including France, the United States and Australia, my desire to remain in Canada has always been strong.
We have a country that, coast to coast to coast, people live on an even keel. We are generally safe, healthy, prosperous and have an high standard of living. It is a great place to raise children, away from fear of persecution and oppression.
The country offers many different things, from a geography rich in beauty and diversity, a multicultural showcase to the world, is generally respected in world politics through its commitment to peace and justice, a commitment to science and innovation, and an open spirit which is socially and ethically responsible. And, we have the best damn hockey players (male and female) on the globe!
The simple answer is I was born here and I love it here. Proud to be Canadian, eh!!!
Elizabeth’s
story - Canadian
My great grandparents on my father's side came from Ireland in 1857 and
my grandparents on my mother's side came from the Ottawa Valley.
As a young girl I would travel to Pembroke and visit my grandparents. I grew up with trees and rivers, the sound of trains and laughter. I remember skipping and the smell of a chalk board at school. We could go to dances and skating parties, swimming parties and tennis. We knew laughter and still do.
Canada is vast. I have traveled all over Canada, lived in the West Coast, Vancouver, Victoria, and lived in Ottawa and in Montreal, where I grew up.
Canadians are friendly and commendable for their honesty. We are survivors
and fighters. Our heritage is from the world, many have traveled to freedom
and liberty. We still believe in freedom. I would die for our freedom.
We have a wonderful mixed culture - the culture of the world. We are
not a
country of tunnel vision. We have a broad spectrum of people who have
lived
generations of suffering who, because of them and their knowledge, and
desire for freedom to come to our country, through many hardships and
NEVER GIVING UP - LIKE THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT DID, have made us strong.
Canadians are linked with the sufferings of the past of all people from
many
different countries who heard about Canada, who have survived, and through
their smiles, we have come to be a better united understanding nation.
I think that our money is coloured because our hearts are many colours.
I enjoy being a Canadian. I hold true to the beliefs of freedom and togetherness that we should not carry guns to be safe, but that we should be true.
We Canadians need to be linked together and it is through efforts like We Choose Canada. This project binds the tender human spirit, sews it into a magnificent cloth that can cover the fragile earth we live on, and perhaps, with this breath of hope, a light can shimmer all over forever. People cannot fight and laugh at the same time. We cannot be angry and happy at the same time, so too, the light shall overpower the darkness through the connectivity of the human spirit.
Were there is Hope, there is light!!!!!
Jitka’s
story – from the Czech Republic
We came to Canada 21 years ago. We chose Canada for its great nature,
it's mountains, winters with lots of snow and great skiing, although we
ended up in Ontario, where the highest mountain is not actually a mountain
but an escarpment.
We had to wait for nine months in Austria to get our landed immigrant status to come here and many of our friends lost their patience and went to United States instead, as it was much easier and faster.
We probably knew more about Canada than many people born here before we came here. We did our research and we thought Canada was the best country for immigrants with its multiculturism and vast land. We also liked the fact that Canada had a reputation of a peacekeeping nation. We didn't want our sons to have to serve mandatory two years of army service like their father did when he was 18 and to miss the best years of their youth. We wanted our sons have plenty of opportunities and choices, more than they could have in a communist country that we escaped from with $60 in our pockets.
Our wish came true. Our kids now have successful careers and we, run our own successful businesses. Canada is our home and the best country in the world to live in. We love to travel but we always love to come back home to Canada. We are very proud to be Canadians.