When people ask what I miss most about Canada, “Tolerance” is my answer.

Canada is a polite, accepting, diverse culture with stupendous natural landscapes, a strong and diversified economy and extraordinary wildlife.   We Canadians (resident or not!) are Canada proud and because Trump has been such a dick towards my country of birth, I dedicate this blog to Canada.

This June found us in Toronto.  We first visited with dear friends in Oakville, Ontario. From there we spent a day driving to BFC Borden.  Camp Borden (RCAF speak) was where my parents met as they were stationed there in the air force.  They married at Trinity Chapel, 499 Dieppe Road in Borden.  While they dated they frolicked and swam at Wasaga Beach a mere 30-minute drive from the base.

When we made the trek to Borden, I was overcome by the number of Canadian flags that decorated people’s houses and the towns we drove through.  Back in Oakville, when grocery shopping for my favorite Canadian foods, I was amazed at the labelling.  Everything that was manufactured in Canada was labelled so one easily knew how to buy Canadian.  When in Toronto, much to our surprise we found our favorite Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc on a restaurant menu.  This is a rare event as it’s a boutique winery.  However, the restaurant had none.  They are not replenishing their American wine supplies.  When in a dress shop the owner began to tell a story that happened to him recently in Florida.  He then caught himself and a look of shame came over his face, “Well, I had prebooked my trip before Trump began his campaign to acquire Canada”.The result that Trump envisaged clearly has not happened.  Canada, more than ever, is truly the true North, strong and free.  His war of words and bizarre tariffs has strengthened Canada.  The resolve is so strong that the provinces are breaking down their own obstacles to trading with one another under the leadership of the newly elected Mark Carney.  Elbows Up Canada!

Please allow me to share a little bit about my Canada.  We, unlike those south of the 49^th parallel, do little to trumpet (pun intended) our accomplishments.  Probably something we inherited from the British, one citizen who told me to ‘tone down’ my CV when I relocated here.  I had just moved from San Franscisco where this attitude would have been considered blasphemy to one’s soul.  So, I’m taking a little of the American Moxy I acquired there to toot my Canadian horn.

Canada is famous for its maple syrup – probably the best in the world and ice hockey when Canadian niceties are left off the ice and fist fights ensue.   Additionally, we created peanut butter, the garbage bag, IMAX technology, walkie-talkies, electric cooking ranges, the paint roller, the 1^st Thanksgiving, insulin, the telephone, the pacemaker and much to my chagrin because I detest the stuff, poutine.

Your funny bones have been tickled with the likes of Jim Carrey, John Candy, Mike Myers, Leslie Nielsen, Eugene & Dan Levy, Dan Ackroyd, Martin Short, Phil Harman, Catherine O’Hara, Rick Moranis, Tommy Chong and Seth Rogan.

Your screens have been blessed with the talent of Ryan Reynolds, Pamela Anderson, Ryan Gosling, Bill Shatner, Keanu Reeves, Michael J. Fox, Rachel McAdams, Sandra Oh, Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock (dual citizen), Donald & Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Cattrall and Will Arnett.

From your speakers, you’ve heard the music of Celine Dion, David Foster, Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, Michael Bublé, Shania Twain, Bruce Cockburn, Alanis Morissette, Paul Anka, K. D. Lang, Burton Cummings & The Guess Who, Joni Mitchell, Rush, BTO, The Tragically Hip, Gordon Lightfoot,  Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Bryan Adams, Steppenwolf, Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan,  and Blue Rodeo.

And these lists are by no means, exhaustive.

Proudly part of the British Commonwealth, with a common objective of unity, it is heartwarming to see Canada growing from strength to strength.

Next stop on our Commonwealth tour is Australia where we are joining the multitude of rugby fans on the British Lions Tour this summer.  #GoLions!

…..I am a dual Canadian/British citizen after all. :>)