HAPPY CANADA DAY!
The one day we’re extra proud to be the only nation where two people bump into each other and both apologize. We Canadians apologize like it’s a competitive sport.‘Sorry,’ ‘No; I’m sorrier!’ We can’t help it if politeness is one of our traits. But there are so many others…
Oh, where to begin! Canada has so many brag-worthy qualities, we could fill a canoe with them. Here are a few highlights:
Stunning landscapes and open spaces: from the Rockies to the Maritimes, Canada offers wild beauty in every province and territory. Lakes, forests, prairies, tundra; you name it, we’ve got it.
Cultural richness: with a deep Indigenous heritage and vibrant multiculturalism, Canada is a mosaic of languages, traditions, and stories that help shape its identity.
Social values: Canadians are known globally for kindness, inclusivity, and that famous “sorry” reflex. It’s a place that strives toward equity and care for its people.
Innovation and talent: from insulin to Canadarm, and from Joni Mitchell to Drake, Canadians have made waves in science, arts, and pop culture. A rich Canadian legacy of discoveries and inventions that have shaped the world in ways both big and small. Here are just a few highlights:
- Insulin – As you already know, this life-saving treatment for diabetes was discovered by Canadian researchers in 1921.
- The pacemaker – Canadian electrical engineer John Hopps developed the first external pacemaker in the 1950s, paving the way for modern cardiac care.
- IMAX – That immersive movie experience? Born in Canada in the late 1960s.
- Canadarm – A robotic arm developed for NASA’s space shuttle program, it became a symbol of Canadian innovation in space exploration.
- Standard time zones – Introduced by Canadian Sir Sandford Fleming in the 19th century to solve railway scheduling chaos.
- The snowmobile – Invented by Joseph-Armand Bombardier, it revolutionized winter travel in snowy regions.
- Walkie-talkies – Created by Donald Hings during WWII to improve battlefield communication.
- Hawaiian pizza (yes, with pineapple!) was invented by a Greek-Canadian in Ontario.
Healthcare and safety – Universal healthcare is a big point of pride, as is a strong sense of community.
Not sorry for MY PERSONAL CANADIAN EXPERIENCES:
I got my fashion sense from growing up in Montreal, a business sense from having lived/worked in Toronto, and an appreciation for outdoor sports from making Vancouver my home. I’ve visited every single Province in Canada. Some famous visitations have included Niagara Falls, Banff National Park, the scenic Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Island, whale watching in Tofino, walking along The Bay of Fundy when the tide was way out, camping at Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and eating fresh scallops right off the boat in Digby, Nova Scotia. Eating seafood in every Maritime Province, actually. I’ve visited the Yukon (which is considered a Territory; not a Province).
I’ve stayed at some of the most iconic resorts/hotels in Canada. Among them; a turret room at Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City overlooking the St. Lawrence River, The Algonquin Resort at St. Andrews by the Sea, New Brunswick (occupied the same room that Joan Collins had just checked out of and where we accidentally proceeded to start an electrical fire during our stay). Ritz Carlton in Montreal (where Elizabeth Taylor married Richard Burton), some very nice lodges like The Bluenose & the Keltic Lodge in Nova Scotia and a few dives in between.
I love my Vancouver location; it’s a neighbourhood feel that truly feels like home. I’m within walking distance to everything I need; not just grocery stores and transit, but also the little indulgences like cafés, bakeries, boutiques, parks and a bench with a view. That’s what makes a place quietly extraordinary. I don’t like to get in my car except when necessary and wouldn’t survive living in the suburbs. I’ve joked that if need be, I’d much rather live in a small condo in Kits than a mansion in Mission. I’m lucky that I have the kind of lifestyle that makes every day errands feel like part of a vibrant, joyful routine. Walkability is one of life’s underrated luxuries. It really is a dream. I’ve liked other cities for other reasons, but nothing beats the stunning natural scenery, outdoor lifestyle, and milder weather of Vancouver.
So on Canada Day, we celebrate not just the birthday of a country, but all the things that make Canada genuinely worth cheering for.
As for being unapologetically Canadian, on Canada Day, amid the festivities, I’m sure there will be far more of us singing “O Canada” than the Connie Francis 1958 hit song “Who’s Sorry Now?“
What do you find special about Canada?
Some quotes past and present:
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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