A Canadian on Foot: five things to miss about Canada
Welcome to the Canada day edition of my blog! Or maybe the more appropriate title would be the experiencing-my-first-bout-of-homesickness edition. Today, as I accidentally mutilated the second gecko daring to intrude into my room, I found myself reminiscing over the comforts of my home and the integral characteristics that make Canada a wonderful place to live. So without further ado, here are five things that make Canada a beloved place in my heart. These are in no specific order.
- Inclusive Social Values Reflected in Politics
As it turns out, our recently elected Prime Minister has participated in some more newsworthy events that don’t star his rogue elbow, dashing good looks, and ability to state obvious facts, such as what year it is, and be met with standing applause.
Since coming into office, the current government has made countless moves that reflect the social values important to many Canadians. Some of which include accepting 25,000 Syrian refugees, raising the Pride flag on Parliament Hill, appointing a 50% female cabinet, and pledging $40-million over two years for an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.
Plus, our next series of banknotes will still feature a woman, but not be accompanied by the same conversation where we all struggle to explain to the Americans what the Queen’s role is as our head of state. Instead, this will be replaced by an equally confusing discussion about how the War of 1812 relates to chocolate — spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
2. East Coast Seafood.
When I moved from Landlocked Ontario to the East coast of Canada, I developed a love for seafood. From scallops to salmon, you can find fresh fish that comes straight from the ocean and onto your plate within hours. If that’s not luxury living, I don’t know what is.
3. The LGBTQ Community.
Many Canadians grew up having rainbow-packaged condoms thrown at them from a Pride Parade float and thinking it was candy (or was that just me?). But seriously, Toronto may be labelled as one of the world’s best cities for people in this community to live, but even rural towns can be found putting on campaigns about homophobia and transphobia and hosting smaller pride parades.
4. Accessibility for Grandma.
I literally mean physical accessibility for my own Grandmother.
As I watch many patients in India stripped of their autonomy because of their disability, I am grateful for the opportunities that have been afforded to my grandmother, whose hutzpah only increases with age as she works with the limitations imposed on her by her disability.
Over the past few years I have noticed a few noteworthy initiatives aiming to better conditions for disabled people in Canada.
First, the Toronto Transit Commission have almost completed the transition to new models of subways, streetcars, and buses that were designed with input from Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT — a committee that my grandma sat on for many years).
Over on the East coast, Kaleigh Trace, a disabled, queer, and feminist activist has been speaking at universities, writing books about sex and disability, and being a friendly face to welcome shoppers at Venus Envy in Halifax.
It is heart-warming to see people taking concrete action to improve mobility for those with disabilities, but also making efforts to change social stigma.
At 76 years old, my grandma is able to live independently, residing in a beautiful assisted living apartment close to the subway. She is living the life that she desires, despite her physical limitations and that, to me, is absolutely amazing.
5. Beautiful landscapes, a mari usque ad mare.
I am constantly blown away by the natural beauty in Canada, from the rural skylines in New Brunswick to unparalleled sunsets in Goderich, Ontario. And, seriously, someone should have suggested Peter Jackson film Lord of the Rings in Newfoundland. No one would have known the difference and we’d probably given them a much better deal than New Zealand.
As I watch my Facebook friends post photos of travelling and living all across Canada, I am inspired to jump on the Trans-Canada and travel across the country (I mean, it’s not like I have any other compelling post-graduation plans).
I know there are many more things to write home about, but these are just a few of the things that have been on my mind.
Enjoy the beach fireworks, my fellow Canadians!
