Loving Canada is Complicated

I have always been proud to be Canadian.

I always thought this country was the best in the world, and you could not tell me otherwise. It was a country that I bragged about for its approach to fostering diversity, multiculturalism, world-class education, and always saying sorry because Canadians are kind.

I’d be lying if I said I haven’t wrestled with my emotions about the country I call home over the last few years, and certainly, the last few weeks.

I have to acknowledge that, largely, Canada has been good to me. My family, and so many others, came here because of Trudeau Sr’s immigration policies. Canada provided them a safe haven from persecution to and a better life. I will always be grateful for that.

But during that time, residential schools were still in effect. While my family was on the come-up, Indigenous Peoples were suffering. Damage was on-going.

The last residential school closed in 1996. To put it in perspective, I was 4 years old. Scarborough hadn’t amalgamated into Toronto yet. The Blue Jays won a championship 3 years prior. Michael Jordan was at the peak of his basketball career and came back from retirement to win his 4th ring.

1996.

In ignorance, I didn’t know how Black Canadians were facing racism and police brutality. I wasn’t aware of how other visible minorities were being treated. I wasn’t aware of their struggles.

Over the last few years, and certainly weeks, my eyes opened wide. Racism, Islamophobia, transphobia, homophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Asian hate, and discrimination toward Indigenous People have been at the forefront of so many issues. Technology has amplified just how bad it is.

A mirror is being held up in front of us, and many are afraid to confront the ugly truth; we are far from being the country we like to think we are. I think it’s safe to say we’re not as bad as others, but the bar is set fairly low.

The first time I heard about “Cancel Canada Day” was last year when I did a story on it. At first, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it, but when you really think about it, it makes perfect sense. What represents a celebration for many of us, represents the complete opposite for others – a day of mourning. The more I’ve learned, the harder it is to bring myself to celebrate Canada Day when I can’t help but think of everything in full scope.

The 25th annual National Indigenous Peoples Day also just passed us a few days ago. I know I spent the day thinking about the wonderful people I’ve met who are community leaders, Elders, and change-makers. I’m grateful they shared their stories with me and taught me to look at things in a different way. They are people who never once expressed losing hope for a brighter future., and have inspired me to be better.

How could I not mourn with them for the kids who didn’t make it home from residential schools? Their family members? Kids who had the potential to grown up to be leaders? Futures and families stolen away?

I’m also a firm believer that we are not our past. However, we cannot, and should not run from it. We need to confront the ugly truth, and make proper amends. There’s so much work to make Canada the country I was proud to brag about.

So I’m going to take time this July 1st to think about the ways that I, a privileged Canadian citizen, can help make things better, and then, do them.

I’ll always love this country for what it means to me, but the Canada worth celebrating moving forward is the one that makes things right.