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Daina’s story – Canadian
I choose to live in Canada because I am free from war and violence that
many innocent people are subject to on a daily basis.
I choose to live in Canada where I can enjoy living free from terror and destruction.
I choose to live in Canada where I can be the person I want to be!
Lynne’s
story – moved to Canada from England
I can be me in Canada. And I know what that means. I feel that Canada
reflects me. After living here 49 years I feel I know what I’m talking
about. I was born and raised in London, England for nine years before
coming to Canada with my family. I remembered England well and longed
to go home, like many others I suppose. I didn’t. Not for many years.
While growing up, I spent 4 years on a farm in eastern Ontario. My mother
had been in fashion in London, owning her own blouse firm. My father,
an experienced soldier and veteran of WWII, invested in a farm trying
their hand at varied crops.
My parents made close friends of an American couple whose summer home
was a mile from our farm. They were charmed by our English accents. We
mourned with them when President Kennedy was assassinated. We are still
friends to this day.
In 1967 I followed the trek of young people moving west and saw Pierre Trudeau speak at the University of Calgary. I cast my first vote for this man who swept our country with his vision. At this time, I also met the man I was to marry.
My fiancé took me to Florida to meet friends he met when he had been traveling around the world. During our trip to Florida our friends, whose roots went way back to the early settlements of Jacksonville, took us to a famous plantation that the family had some connection with and while the rest of the party went ahead to the big plantation house, I stood inside the remains of the slave houses, in awe at the tiny shell and limestone buildings — where people who were owned by other people — had once lived. This was not my country. Yet it was so close to my country. I was grateful for the War of Independence and the Loyalists who moved to Canada.
While at university, I studied Canadian history and got passionate about the West in Canadian History. I was asked to compare a couple of books, one American, one Canadian. Where the author referred to the American experience as the Frontier, I referred to the Canadian experience as Survival. With a colder climate and generally harsher weather year round, we save our toughness to control our land I argued, and our warmth to love. I remember my professor gave me an A on the paper but remarked that I was getting a “trifle emotional”. I smiled when I read it as that’s how I felt. I wasn’t a kid, either. I was 33.
In Canada, we are laid back. We are a gentle people. We are non-combative. We are kind. That is why it saddens me when I see the leaders of Alberta and Quebec talk of sovereignty. They are being short-sighted, it will be extremely difficult to go it alone and it does not consider the nature of the Canadian people.
Will’s
story – An American who lived in Canada and now is back in the US
I am so happy you have this site! As a person who has lived in both countries
I can state my love for Canada. Although born in the US, I consider Canada
as my home. There is so much I love about Canada from the Maple Leaf Gardens
to the music to the people themselves. Canada has a personality all its
own. Now living back in the US, I have a room in my house completely dedicated
to Canada. And thanks to NHL Centre Ice, I can catch Hockey Night in Canada
again..... how I missed Don Cherry!!!!
I hope to someday move my wife and family back to Toronto area. I hope you find it useful to know that there are people south of the border who love and cherish the dominion of Canada!
Iris’
story – from Venezuela
My daughter came to Canada about 3 years ago. My husband and I visited
her during her first autumn in Toronto. We fell in love with the city.
The next year, many political troubles began in our country and our daughter
proposed to be our sponsor so that we could immigrate to Canada. We applied
immediately, and we are glad to be here.
Dina’s
story
I recently returned from a trip down south. As usual when I come home
to Canada, I felt like kissing the ground.
The minute that I got off the plane, I found that there was an inexplicable feeling that the air is fresher and freer. It isn't something you can put your finger on. But, it permeates the atmosphere.
I am not a member of a visible minority. However, the inclusiveness of all cultures is a part of Canada that too many of us take for granted. It should be celebrated. In the United States and in other countries, I think that there is an imaginary line down the middle of each city that divides the "haves" from the "have nots". The contrasts are quite stark.
Canada is not perfect. There always will be room for improvement. However, let us not belittle what we have already achieved and what we have. In Canada we take care of each other. We care. We are not a "Me" society. We are gentler and kinder. When we travel we don't have to be ashamed to say "I am Canadian". We know we will be treated with respect and enthusiasm.
I chose Canada and Canadian citizenship. Thank you Canada for affording me the privilege.