What are Canadian Values?

Hello Dreamers.

Once upon a time, in the magical land known as Canada, the communal identity of the people was undefinable and in flux. So much that daring to ask the title question outed you as a bigot. After all, this question was commonly brought up by those against immigration, arguing that those, especially from Asia, Africa, or the Middle East, do now share our 'values' and cite exaggerated stereotypes, like Islamic adherence to Sharia Law, as supporting proof. The only real thing Canadians could agree on regarding who we are is simply we not the United States.

An identity and values that went undefined until one day, we where tested. Everyone and their dog knows what happened:

• Donald Trump round 2 happened.

• Him tariffing all but Russia happened.

• Talking about having the United States annex Canada happened.

The Americans lost control of their own government to someone who thought that he could bully his neighbour into giving up their sovereignty. Manifest Destiny all over again.

When that happened, that question about values we thought only bigots asked rhetorically now needed a real answer, real soon. What are Canadian Values? What is our identity?

Then we learned our values can be summed up by one line many of us are forced to recite in school, and later sing it at sporting events. A piece of holy text, if one could call it that, that any Canadian, even immigrants, had to aquant themselves with.

The True North Strong and Free

We are in the north, near the arctic, with Grise Fiord, the northernmost town, within spitting distance of Russia. Sure, we meme all the time about the cold, forever walking around in shorts when its -20c outside with half a meter of snow, while moose play in our front lawns and beavers install satellite dishes on their dams..

Not the important part.

Trump threatened the world, left, right and centre. Demanding tariffs, claiming the US was owed by the rest of the world, while wanting to gobble-up the world. The world were not sure what to do. How do we convince the United States that they need us as much as we need them with such a narcissistic bully in office unaccustomed to the notion of compromise and cooperation?

Justin Trudeau had the answer. One later expanded upon by Mark Carney, and hopefully by whoever wins the election today (time of write was April 28th, 2025, when a federal election took place). One that rival politicians and most everyday Canadians agreed with.

You don't.

We are Strong

As Trump raged Trudeau, later Carney, thought You know what? The EU isn't really that far away. With that, seemingly overnight, we dropped the Americans - we cancelled contracts with them while negotiating new ones with the European Union. Everyday people in near unison even stuck to a boycott of anything American, and not just to avoid tariffs.

You know this resonates with us when Ontario's corrupt marshmellow of a Premier, Doug Ford, cancelled stuff like Starlink and went to task, reminding the US that the province he represents heavily contributed to the US economy. Quebec, known for wanting to succeed from Canadian Confederation, have gone full patriotic, agreeing with this direction.

Odd coming from a people who apologies so often there is an act in our criminal code stating that an apology cannot be used as an omission of guilt in court. From a people who say please and thank you, and are known for holding doors and lining up for the bus.

Yet, when you think about it, there is a joke within the military: Canada is why the Geneva Convention exists. The Canadian military is known for its tenacity and willingness to get the job done. We took a well defended hill in WWI, then liberated an entire country single-handedly in WWII. We have some of the best snipers in the world working for law enforcement and special soldier units that make American special units look like children. Heck, we train other countries's soldiers, most notably Ukraine.

Just because we are nice and kind doesn't mean we are weak and passive. In the face of a trade war that could very well end with boots on the ground, we were the first country to challenge the Americans, leading the charge for the free world within the emerging new world order. Almost likening ourselves to a new superpower, which is hubris on my humble opinion.

We are Free

Wondering why the thumbnail of this post was a colourful mosaic meme of the Canadian Flag? Its true that a proud, Canadian, tradition is a form of diversity we liken to a set of mosaic tiles. A contrast to the American Melting Pot where to be American is to assimilate within the culture of the majority, Canadians believe one can be part of our society while still be distinct in a number of ways.

For the most part, Canadians understand a fundamental, rather blunt, truth about freedom: if you want to be free yourself you must put up with weirdos. Offensively put, yes, but remember when you let people choice some will go with options you will find weird, uncomfortable, even gross. Unless their hurting anyone, too bad. While not perfect, as there are gaps in a mosaic, everyone is allowed to be their own special tile.

This understanding of freedom goes beyond faith, nationality, LGBT, and more. This notion of freedom is why we line up for the bus without prompt. Its why we hold doors open for others. Its why we say please, thank you, and sorry a lot. Its why we are polite. In wanting our own personal freedom, we have a responsibility to keep others free.

Our political system is a reflection of that: Canadian Confederation is modeled after Iroquis Haudenosaunee using British Parliamentary structures. Each province and territory has responsibilities independent of the federal government to address the unique needs every region will have. The federal government is only responsible for things that effect everybody, not just people in a given area or community.

All the more reason we don't want to join the United States of America - the republic of that nation is so restrictive.

In closing

Best model I can think of is, think of Canada as Link, (and yes my mind keeps going to LOZ, just roll with it.) A quiet, kind-heart, shy person content with living their best life riding horses in the countryside. However, when the King of Evil, Demons, etc, threatens and hurts his home, land, and those he holds dear, out comes the sword, willing to fight the blight for what he holds dear.

We are the True North, Strong and Free. And we will Stand on Guard for Thee!