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Happy Canada day! Today my home and native land turns 149! So young when compared to many other countries in the world, but still rich in history and full of culture and life. No matter where I am in the world for shorter trips or longer experiences, Canada has always been home. I’m always proud to tell people I’m from Canada when asked during my travels.

Feeling on top of the world!
I’m lucky enough to have been to 7 provinces and even drove from Vancouver to Quebec City one summer. I’ve seen much of this vast country, but I feel like there is only more to explore. Canada is pretty awesome and to celebrate Canada Day, here are a few reasons why I love Canada so much:
The diversity of landscape and lush wilderness

Shall we go for a walk in the woods?
Each of the regions of the country looks so different from one another. The summer after high school I set off on a cross-country trip from Vancouver to Quebec City with my orchestra, each night performing a concert in a new city. Along the way, we stopped in historic sites and big cities alike. You can only really appreciate the vastness and the diversity of landscape of the country when you’ve taken it in slowly.
And it’s not just the diversity that makes me love Canada. The whole country is beautiful. There are so many amazing natural attractions to discover in our backyard. It’s so easy to just get away from the noise of the city and be completely surrounded by quiet.
Fantastic cities
It’s no surprise that I love my hometown of Vancouver best, but the rest of the cities across Canada are pretty awesome too. From cosmopolitan Toronto to historic Quebec City to the quaint cities of the Maritimes, there is something for everyone.
Our passport
As a traveler, one thing I’m definitely grateful for is my passport and the fact that the Canadian passport can get me to so many places in the world. According to the 2016 Visa Restrictions Index, Canadian passport holders can visit 172 countries and territories visa-free or with visa on arrival making us 6th in terms of travel freedom (tied with Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, South Korea and Switzerland). Not to mention, they’re physically pretty cool too when you put it under a blacklight.
You can feel like you’re in a foreign country without leaving it

Doesn’t this look like it could be Europe?
But even if you don’t leave the country, you can still have a completely different experience. The province of Quebec feels so foreign to me. With its French influences, it can be easy to think you’ve flown to Europe, except you haven’t. Especially coming from the West Coast, it feels completely different, except I get to still use familiar money and my cell phone works there too.
Our patriotism but only when needed
Compared to our southern neighbours, most people would not consider Canadians patriotic at all, but just wait until it its the gold medal hockey game of the winter Olympics and the game is tied. Everyone is cheering on the boys in red. Our patriotism comes out every so often and it brings the country together. We’re unabashedly proud to call Canada home, but we’re just not in your face about it. Most of the time at least.
Our tolerance and acceptance
This is one of the biggest things I love about being able to call myself Canadian is the country’s tolerance and acceptance of everyone. We’ve welcomed thousands of refugees from Syria. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Canada since July 20, 2005, making Canada the fourth country to do so.
And it’s not even just me singing praises about my home. Canada has been named the most tolerant country in the world and the second most progressive country only after Finland. That’s certainly something to love.
Is it too late now to say sorry?*
Canada is one of the few places in the world where you can walk into someone and they will apologize first. True story. I do this all the time. Even when I was living abroad, I would apologize first. You can take the Canadian out of Canada, but the Canadianism is so embedded.
*Yes, Justin Bieber is also Canadian.
FOOD!

Nothing like a good poutine after a couple drinks
How can I not mention food for a reason why I love Canada? Home of poutine, maple syrup, and Caesars. It’s true there isn’t really a clear-cut idea of what makes up Canadian food, but that in itself is so Canadian. Because of our diversity of people from all over the world, our food is from all over the world. Sure, there are bigger communities in certain parts of the country depending on where immigrants settled, but in general, there is so much good food across the country.
Our Prime Minister is pretty cool
RT @gregkolz: JT is level-headed & able to bring Canada to new heights. That’s why he’s my choice for #Liberal Leader pic.twitter.com/ooUfOLVnfX
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 8, 2013
And it seems like everyone else loves him too. ‘Nuff said.
Need some more reasons to love Canada? This graphic from Canadian Affair sums it up nicely:
Sure, Canada may have its problems (ahem, looking at our climate change policies in particular), but it’s a pretty great place to call home. Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians. Let’s get out there and enjoy that beautiful wilderness together.
P.S. 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Canada & 20 Reasons Why BC is the Best Place on Earth
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Canada is really a wonderful place. I have never been to it but heard lot. Would love to visit it once 🙂
I hope you get a chance to visit! It’s a wonderful place 🙂
Very nice article. I’ve met many wonderful Canadians on my travel (I’m sorry eeh!), and have visited some of the country, mostly on the east side. Reading your article reminded me to definitely add some more Canada in my next travel. Maybe when your wonderful new prime minister ends the harp seal hunt?
Happy Canada day from a European living in the USA!
Yes, please definitely do! Each region is so different from one another.
I love Canada!!! I lived in Montreal for a year on exchange and had the best time. I’m actually going back next month to visit some friends and then I’m moving to Vancouver! Can’t wait 😀
Oh wow! Living in Montreal must have been amazing! That city is so cool. Congrats on the move to Vancouver! Let me know if you need any help getting settled or want to grab coffee 🙂
That would be awesome! We have no idea about jobs/housing yet but hopefully we will find something soon so I can tell you what area we will be living in! :S
Great! Housing is pretty tough right now (too many people need it and not enough places at reasonable prices), so definitely wishing you good luck with that 🙂 Let me know once you guys get settled and we can find a time to meet up!
The people are definitely one of my favorite things about Canada. I haven’t been in so long, but growing up in Michigan I got to visit often.
I have a couple friends from Michigan and they’re just as awesome as Canadians I met. I’d love to visit and experience their hospitality too 🙂
Oh my Gosh, it’s so great that you get so much travel freedom. I had no idea it’s so easy for Canadians to travel and you have so many visa-free or visa on arrival countries! Cool
It’s definitely something I don’t take for granted. It’s really cool part of holding a Canadian passport.
very jealous of your PM!
He’s a pretty rad dude 🙂
This is a FABULOUS post that fills me with pride! Lovely words and beautiful pictures. Our country really is amazing and fellow Canadians like you make this the best home ever.
Thanks so much for your kind words Taslim! Hurray for being Canadian 🙂
The PM is definitely a cool dude.
That he is!
I will visit Toronto in August!
Fantastic! I hope you have a great time! It’s a fun city, especially in the summer.