Writing a Canada Day column in 2025 is definitely a risk and is almost guaranteed to stir up contention in somebody.
But, isn’t that the joy of living in a place with the rights and freedoms offered by a democratic country like Canada? I can write something and you have the choice to agree or disagree. (If you do disagree, please consider writing a letter to the editor.)
For many, July 1 is a day of celebration — an opportunity to wear red and white, wave flags, and share pride in a country known globally for its diversity, landscapes and polite reputation. But for others, it’s a day marked by complexity, grief and growing frustration.
Over the past couple of years, Canada has faced difficult conversations — some long overdue. We have a new prime minister and while some are looking to Mark Carney as our best hope as we go up against U.S. president Donald Trump’s tariffs and the political turmoil taking place globally, others are still so angry with the Liberals and the outcome of the election, they’re convinced there’s nothing the PM could do that makes sense.
But that anger and passion also demonstrate no matter which side of the political spectrum you fall, from coast-to-coast Canadians share a deep love for our country.
Another important conversation some are having, while others refuse to listen, is how to recognize and reconcile Indigenous rights alongside this country’s colonial past in ways that can’t be swept aside with polite apologies and symbolic gestures.
Indigenous communities continue to call for meaningful action, including the repatriation of stolen land and clean water. This is 2025, and the fact there are people, Indigenous or not, living without clean water in Canada is unacceptable.
And, while many Canadians are listening, others remain defensive. Canada is a country grappling with questions of identity and democracy. Who gets to be heard? Who gets to feel safe? Who defines what it means to be Canadian?
Celebrating Canada Day now means holding space for both pride and pain. It means recognizing the contributions of the resilience of Indigenous Nations, immigrants and refugees, and the potential of younger generations demanding climate action, justice, and inclusion.
So, we can gather in parks, enjoy parades, and sing O Canada with sincerity — but let’s also listen, learn, and commit to a country that lives up to the ideals it claims to hold dear.
And while we may have a lot of work left to do as a country, we should also all be proud of not only what Canada is today, but also for what it could become.
I remember during the days of the Freedom convoys when the Canadian flag started to become more recognized as a symbol of anti-democratic behaviour than love of country. But no more.
So, this Canada Day, let’s wear that red and white (or whatever the heck else you want), let’s attend those celebratory gatherings, and let’s wave that flag. Or not. Because that’s what freedom is all about.
