From tariffs and annexation threats to terminated commerce talks, it’s been a tough 12 months for Canada.
Rising uncertainty, rising hostility, and deepening political stress have compelled us to query our relationship with the USA and our place on the world stage. However they’ve additionally sparked a extra private reckoning right here at dwelling.
For a lot of Canadians, the on-again, off-again tariffs from what was once our closest ally have felt like greater than an financial blow — they’ve felt like a slap within the face. What began as tongue-in-cheek jokes about Canada being the “51st state” rapidly turned uncomfortable. What adopted was a renewed — and generally uneasy — effort to outline what we’re, not simply in distinction to the U.S., however on our phrases.
Are we actually the well mannered peacekeepers the world thinks we’re? The quiet neighbour standing in America’s shadow? Are we the morally superior — however much less highly effective — cousin, with public well being care, bilingualism, and fewer restrictive immigration insurance policies?
Or are we one thing extra advanced — nonetheless within the means of changing into?
Feb. 15, 2025, marked the sixtieth birthday of the Canadian flag after it was first raised in 1965, and other people throughout the nation confirmed off their nationwide delight by collaborating in Flag Day. (Linda Galeazzi Picture)
Nonetheless changing into: What does it imply to be Canadian?
Canada’s nationwide id continues to evolve, with one commentator calling it an “unfinished story,” formed by crises and compromises.
Tod Maffin, president of engageQ Digital and former CBC Radio host, has spent years exploring Canadian id and tradition. He says the query of whether or not a definite Canadian id exists is tough to reply.
“I don’t assume we’re as straightforward to outline as different international locations,” he mentioned.
“Different international locations have a narrative … however we’re a younger nation and I believe we’re nonetheless form of working by means of the rising pains of what it means to reckon with our historical past and to know the place we match on the earth scheme.”
Maffin says one clear factor is that Canada is a rustic of compromise.
“We’re a rustic that makes unimaginable offers and unbelievable bargains,” he mentioned. “And I believe we see that almost all typically when there’s a disaster — that’s not new.”
He factors to defining moments in our nation’s historical past, such because the Oka Disaster in 1990 — an 11-week standoff between Mohawk protestors and Canadian forces — as examples of how the previous has formed our current.
Canadian soldier Patrick Cloutier and Brad Laroque alias “Freddy Kruger” come nose to nose in a tense standoff at Kanesatake in Oka, Que., Saturday September 1, 1990. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Shaney Komulainen
Different main turning factors — the FLQ disaster in 1970, the failure of the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords within the Nineties, and our ongoing reckoning with the shameful historical past of residential colleges — have helped forge our sense of self.
Now we face an surprising problem that has left many Canadians feeling confused and betrayed.
“We are actually on this second of nice reckoning with a former good friend, a former buying and selling companion,” Maffin mentioned.
And like different pivotal moments in our historical past, he says, this may pressure us to look at not simply who we’re, however who we wish to be.
Canadians are greater than ‘not American’
Typically, when Canadians are requested what makes us distinctive, the responses are some variation of, “Effectively, I’m undecided … however we aren’t American.”
Thea McGaffey grew up in Edmonton, Alta., however moved to the USA in her twenties. A twin citizen from start, she’s had the chance to mirror on Canadian id from inside the nation and from throughout the border.
“Being born to American dad and mom, I truly all the time felt somewhat bit extra American than Canadian, and I type of wished to go away, go try the States,” she mentioned. “I actually felt like they have been extra my individuals.”
After heading to California to go to school, issues began to shift a bit.
“Since I’ve been gone, I’ve realized that an enormous a part of me is Canadian.”
Twin citizen Thea McGaffey holds up a Canadian flag exterior her dwelling in Colorado. (Submitted Picture)
Why? Effectively, first off, McGaffey says most of the constructive stereotypes about Canada and Canadians are correct.
“The generic issues that folks say about Canadians are actually true, like, we’re actually pleasant,” McGaffey mentioned. “When individuals discover out that I’m Canadian, each single individual I inform that to says, ‘Oh, that is smart.’”
She additionally appreciates Canada’s function and picture as a world peacekeeper. However what resonates most together with her is the nation’s variety.
“I felt like Canada recurrently celebrated different cultures,” she mentioned, pointing to Edmonton’s annual Heritage Days competition for instance. “I simply keep in mind all of the totally different cultural representations at that park. It was unimaginable … simply to see that celebration of all of the totally different cultures.”
In distinction, she says the present temper towards immigrants held by some individuals in the USA is upsetting to her.
“We’re all immigrants, each single individual on this nation, until you’re Indigenous,” she mentioned. “It infuriates me to see the USA performing like we’re too good to just accept individuals from different cultures.”
Nonetheless, she’s cautious to not generalize when talking about all the nation, as a result of there may be good and dangerous all over the place.
“It’s arduous to be right here. It’s, as a result of I’m like, I don’t wish to be an American proper now,” she mentioned. “However then I’m like, Oh, however wait, there’s so many, many wonderful People. I don’t prefer to make these enormous judgmental statements.”
Not anyone’s 51st something
Dwelling within the shadow of the world’s greatest superpower, Canadians have needed to develop a way of humour about ourselves — whether or not we prefer it or not. We hear all of it from our neighbours to the south: our accents are humorous, we are saying “sorry” an excessive amount of, and we’re behind the occasions (as Colby Smulders’ character on How I met your Mom as soon as mentioned, “The ’80s didn’t come to Canada till like ’93.” Smulders, for the file, is Canadian — born and raised in Vancouver).
However making enjoyable of ourselves? That isn’t simply acceptable. It’s important.
Jessica Langer Kapalka and her husband, Jason, personal a bar and grill on Toronto’s stylish Queen Road. What started as an outer-space-themed bar referred to as Offworld quickly turned recognized for its playful pop-ups — full takeovers of the house with new names, menus, and decor. Hellbar was arrange for Halloween, the place you may order a themed cocktail for $6.66 — plus your soul, with a contract to signal. Then got here Beachmode, which was established as “summer time in the course of winter.”
However as Beachmode was wrapping up, Canada-U.S. tensions have been rising.
“The American president was elected and sworn in after which determined to slap a bunch of tariffs on us after which began speaking the 51st state stuff,” Kapalka mentioned.
“We have been like, no, we’re not anyone’s 51st something. We’re Canada.”
Desirous to have fun the nation as a sovereign nation and never simply “America’s hat,” the couple thought it might be enjoyable — and well timed — to lean into all issues Canadian.
Thus was born Grizzly Bar, billing itself as “Canada’s Most Canadian Bar and Grill.”
A bar in Toronto payments itself as “Canada’s most Canadian bar and grill.” (Picture: Grizzly Bar by way of Instagram)
The restaurant serves distinctly Canadian meals like Montreal smoked meat, a Nanaimo bar a la mode, and, after all, poutine. The cocktail record is simply as themed and contains the Klondike Kiss, the Grizzly Caesar, and the Hadfield (Floor management to Main Rum).
Grizzly Bar has been nicely acquired, Kapalka says, and never simply by locals.
“You don’t must be Canadian to come back to Grizzly Bar; you simply have to like and assist Canada and our sovereignty,” she mentioned.
Fairly a number of People have visited, and they’re all the time welcome.
“We’re like, ‘Please are available and discover out why our beer is healthier than yours.’ Facetiously, but additionally true,” she added. “Nevertheless it’s additionally, are available and discover out extra about Canada, extra about your neighbours to the north, who actually, actually such as you, on the whole.”
Neighbors serving to neighbours
And it seems loads of People actually like us, too.
After the tariff speak began heating up, the ‘Purchase Canadian’ motion exploded virtually in a single day. Individuals had loads of questions: What’s the distinction between “Made in Canada” and “Product of Canada?” How can we assist Canadian firms? How can we keep away from shopping for American altogether?
Maffin began answering these questions in movies posted to social media. They proved to be highly regarded, and never simply amongst Canadians.
“Within the feedback, there have been loads of People, surprisingly, saying, ‘How can we assist Canada? As a result of we don’t like this both,’” he mentioned.
“So, I used to be bored one night time, and I made a video type of simply off the highest of my head saying, ‘Hey, for those who People actually do assist Canada, then why don’t we decide a weekend you all come up right here and spend your cash on the Vancouver Island financial system?’”
It seems that many People have been desirous to do exactly that. Inside 72 hours of issuing his open invitation, over 2,000 individuals had RSVP’d.
Maffin labored with the Metropolis of Nanaimo in placing an occasion collectively, The Nanaimo Infusion, that came about April 25-27 at Maffeo Sutton Park. Guests have been greeted with reside music, meals vehicles, pop-up artisan markets, and even the mayor, Leonard Krog.
It was an unlimited success.
“It was life-changing for me, really,” Maffin mentioned.
Neighbours serving to neighbors
For the reason that occasion, he has discovered a brand new focus.
“One of many issues that I seen is that there have been loads of American health-care employees who had come up,” he mentioned.
“They have been testing Vancouver Island to see if that was an escape hatch, primarily a spot the place they might convey their abilities and get away from the circus down south.”
Maffin repurposed his web site right into a useful resource for U.S. health-care employees to relocate and work on Vancouver Island, serving to break down all the mandatory steps. He spoke to quite a few totally different organizations, together with Well being Match BC, the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, the Faculty of Nurses, and the Division of Household Apply, to assist simplify issues.
“Every group has its personal web site, and people web sites are often actually good, however none of these web sites discuss the place their group suits in the entire course of,” he mentioned. “In order that’s form of what I attempted to do, I referred to as these teams and discovered, like, the place does it match?”
His pondering was that even when he obtained just one nurse to maneuver right here, it might be value it. His expectations have already been exceeded.
“I believe we’re as much as 5 now due to that Infusion (occasion),” he mentioned. “They’ve accepted jobs they usually’re simply at the moment reserving transferring vehicles and issues like that.”
He says he’s additionally speaking to a physician from Alaska who’s contemplating the transfer.
“So, hopefully we’ll make it six.”
Essentially the most Canadian factor that ever occurred
In the meantime, as we work to regain our footing after the preliminary shift in our relationship with the USA, we’re embracing all issues Canadian.
And based on Kapalka, “Essentially the most Canadian factor that ever occurred, ever, occurred at Grizzly Bar.”
She says they invited Chris Hadfield — the Canadian astronaut — to their opening occasion.
“He occurred to be on the town as a result of he was acting at a profit for the Hospital for Sick Youngsters in Toronto,” Kapalka mentioned. “So he stopped by the occasion.”
Toronto musician Jordo Arnott was performing for the gang, enjoying a full Canadian setlist.
To everybody’s shock, Hadfield determined to hitch Arnott on stage.
“Chris Hadfield, who, as it’s possible you’ll keep in mind, went viral for his cowl of House Oddity in house, determined to stand up and do a shock cowl of Bobcaygeon by The Tragically Hip,” Kapalka mentioned.
Somebody filmed it and despatched it to the band. The Hip posted it on social media, and tens of 1000’s of individuals noticed it and shared it.
“That was Canadian occasions one million,” she mentioned
“It might need been the proudest second of my life.”
Hockey and holding grudges
Is it time for Canadians to cease underestimating ourselves? Maffin thinks so.
“We imagine the story of Canadians being docile, resistant to alter. And we’re not that,” he mentioned.
“If you take a look at moments the place our nation has been examined, the place our individuals have been examined, we come collectively in a method that I believe no different nation does. We don’t let individuals down. We don’t again away from issues.”
In a 12 months outlined by uncertainty, Canada has proven an interior energy many didn’t know we had.
“I believe that stunned the remainder of the world. I believe it stunned Trump,” Maffin mentioned.
“I believe the USA is anticipating that Canadians would simply be the well mannered people who they assume we’re, and that we might simply roll over.”
They have been unsuitable, and we are going to keep in mind being underestimated.
People and Canadians protested exterior the U.S. consulate in Vancouver on June 14, 2025. (CityNews Picture)
“I all the time form of joke that Canada has two official sports activities: hockey and holding grudges,” he mentioned.
“And I believe that generally the world forgets that.”
Or possibly they by no means actually knew.
‘Oh, you’re a Canook?’ — Canada, misunderstood
There’s a normal perception that People, primarily, do not know what we’re as much as in any respect — one thing McGaffey says isn’t unfaithful.
“It’s fascinating to me how little individuals learn about Canada down right here,” McGaffey mentioned.
“Lots of people don’t know any of the provinces. I’ll inform them I’m from Edmonton, Alberta, they usually’ll be like, I don’t know the place that’s.”
That doesn’t imply they aren’t .
“Most individuals assume it’s fairly cool,” she mentioned. “Lots of people, these days, with the local weather down right here, say, ‘Oh, you’re actually fortunate.’”
And virtually everybody says the identical factor: “Oh, you’re a Canuck?,” mispronouncing the phrase as “Canook.”
“All of them say ‘Canook,’ each single one among them,” she laughed. “I’m like, that’s not the way it’s pronounced.”
McGaffey says it’s fascinating to her that whereas she didn’t declare Canada for a very long time, she now claims it virtually solely.
“I’m Canadian,” she mentioned. “I used to be born to American dad and mom in Canada, born and raised Canadian.”
The story we’re writing
Like McGaffey, many Canadians are discovering new appreciation for the Nice White North.
However Maffin says it’s vital to notice that Canada is much from excellent.
“We’ve loads of work to do,” he mentioned. “Our relationship with Indigenous individuals, for one, has been a nightmare. It’s getting higher, but it surely’s removed from executed.”
With a lot change taking place proper now, Canada has a uncommon alternative to reevaluate our priorities.
“Each time we as a individuals start to reckon with our previous, by definition, we set the course for the long run,” he mentioned. “I believe moments like this, we will use it as a little bit of a springing-point to not simply form of take a look at what Canada is, however to redefine what Canada may be.”
For his half, he says he’s excited to proceed exploring what it means to be Canadian.
“I’ve written about 80 essays or so — some individuals name them rants,” he mentioned. “I’m placing collectively a set of a bunch of them, and I’m going to offer it away on Canada Day. It’ll be like a obtain from my web site.”
However for Maffin, writing is about greater than sharing concepts — it’s about capturing how we arrived right here and shaping the trail forward.
“I all the time take into consideration my nephew,” he mentioned. “When he’s a grandparent, and I’m lengthy gone, he shall be telling the story of Canada’s historical past.”
“The story he’ll be telling is at the moment.”
