To be proud of your country is to be Patriotic but to be truly in love with your country I believe you need to think about why you are lucky to be Canadian. Whether it sounds cliche or not, being lucky to live where you are and call that place home is really one of life’s great feelings of happiness. Here are my 10 Reasons Why I Feel Lucky to be Canadian.photo credit: E_TAVARES via photopin cc
Canada Day
Canada Day is one of my favorite holidays. A chance to get together, have fun, have some fantastic food and be with friends and family. I am fiercely proud of my country and love the opportunity to enjoy all things Canada.
When my husband came to visit Canada for the first time it was in the dead of winter – 35 C – snowing, cold, cold, cold! But, he loved all the ‘Canadian’ things we did. Snow Angels, maple syrup, poutine, beaver tails, a visit to a Native Art Gallery and Winterlude in Ottawa. It was so fun showing some of the things I love about my country to someone from such a different culture.
Now, with all of those first behind us, we celebrate in a very different way. Each year my husband (who is a chef) cooks at our local Multicultural Canada Day celebrations. A chance to celebrate Canada and its multiculturalism. Dancing, music, and food. A perfect day to be Canadian.
On Canada Day I am reminded how lucky I am in to call this beautiful country home.
10 reasons why I feel lucky to be Canadian:
1. The remarkable beauty of the country. From coast to coast Canada has such a varied landscape and so breathtaking. Cities, country, National Parks, Mountains and sparkling water.
2. That Canadians always say ‘sorry’. People make fun of us for it, but I honestly think it is such a wonderful trait. There is nothing worse than people who don’t apologize!
3. Phenomenal food – from 5-star restaurants to food trucks, Canadian food is fantastic. Whether it be a dish of poutine, a lobster bake or a tourtiere, it is all delicious.
4. The seasons – I love having 4 seasons. I love that just when I am fed up with the weather of one season, the next one comes along with its beauty.
5. The Canadian passport – traveling as a Canadian gives you so many privileges. Easy access to the U.S. and so many countries without the need to have a visa. But, I also love that Canadians are easily accepted all over the world. The Maple Leaf is instantly recognized and accepted.
6.Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples – our founding peoples who bring such a rich heritage and culture to the country. I wish we as a country did a better job of respecting and honoring that.
7. Our multicultural society – I love that Canada is made up of people from so many countries, cultures, and languages. Living in a multicultural society makes all of us better. We understand the difference, and learn acceptance.
8. The British Monarchy – while many Canadians are impartial to our ties to Britain, I love the British Monarchy. An old system, but one steeped in history. The role of the Queen as Head of State is a safeguard for our political system and a special privilege. And, like many, I am enamored with Kate, William, and Harry.
9. Our healthcare system – I really believe that had I not had access to this remarkable system myself and my boys may not be here. While there are wait times, in times of crisis it is truly remarkable.
10. Our international service – from peacekeepers to astronauts, Canadians have made themselves famous in their contributions to the world. The stories of Stephen Lewis, Romeo Dallaire, Lester B. Pearson, Chris Hadfield, and our countless delegates to the United Nations make me very proud to be Canadian. And the Mounties. Pretty cool our federal police service is so beautiful, majestic and regal.
photo credit: Sangudo via photopin cc
What are your reasons you feel lucky to be a Canadian? Or an American, Austrailian, Kenyan, South African? Tell us in the comments.
Paula says
Great post! Hoping you have an enjoyable Canada Day celebration. I think it’s lovely that you all attend your local Multicultural Celebration each year and that your husband spends his day cooking at it.
Paula recently posted..University Cookies for Those Leaving and Entering
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel says
It is so fun. A great family tradition and yummy too!
Bonnie Way says
All great reasons we’re lucky to be Canadian! Love it. :) Thanks for sharing!
Bonnie Way recently posted..Top Ten Questions to Ask a Woman Pregnant with Triplets
Patricia says
Great post, Kerrie!! I agree with you on all these reasons why it is great to be a Canadian….,.
Olivia L says
Great list! I really appreciate our diversity and our health care system too.
Olivia L recently posted..I am a Canadian Mom #TGCBB
Jennifer says
oh my gosh, for a split second there I thought that was Kate dressed as a mountie! lol great line up on why Canada rocks! thanks for linking up with us!
Jennifer recently posted..Summer Reads with Scholastic Canada {Giveaway}
Lou's Lake Views says
I wholeheartedly agree with your entire list, many of these are reasons why my family and I chose to immigrate here. It truly is an awesome country and I can’t wait for next year when we can finally get citizenship and then we can all call ourselves real proud Canadians too :-D #TGCBB
Lou’s Lake Views recently posted..June in Canada
Darwin says
What a great Canadian List. Sometimes we forget how amazing living in Canada is until we’re not long in the country and we miss it.
Nicole B says
Wonderful post! Very true!
Heather says
I would love to go to Canada one day. Heck I’d love to move there, you guys have excellent health care!
Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations says
So many of the same reasons that I love our country too. I agree, we are very lucky to have such a great health care system. Blessed actually, Thanks for participating in The Great Canadian Blog Bash and we are very happy to have you! #TGCBB
YashY says
Oh I love the Canadian passport most definitely! It has saved me from having to get a new passport every two years ( The Sri Lankan one I had was always covered n visas I had to get to enter every SINGLE country!!)
YashY recently posted..Go-Go Babyz Mini Travelmate
sarah sar says
Excellent post! All very true…especially the lovely healthcare system we have. I don’t know how we’d survive without it!
Narathip Wall. says
Thanks for sharing. I agree with you.
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Tasha says
What a fabulous list! Canada is a wonderful country inside and out. I am also very proud to be Canadian :)
Tasha recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Staying Cool by the Pool
BobbiJo Pentney says
I love being Canadian!
BobbiJo Pentney says
I love being Canadian!
Kora says
what about water?
Kora says
I mean you don’t say much about the water just that it is sparkling!
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel says
There is an abundance of lakes rivers and two oceans – the way the sun shines off it makes it sparkle – it’s spectacular.