What does Canada mean to you in 2025? These people shared their perspective
People have different kinds of connection to the land they live on
From poutine, maple syrup and beaver tails to mountains, prairies and the sea, people around the world have some fairly defined ideas of what "Canada" is — if they think about it at all.
But within Canada, pride and identity have shifted over time, whether it was after the discovery of unmarked graves at residential schools or through the displays of the Canadian flag and talk over rights during the Freedom Convoy.
This year saw a resurgence in Canadian pride as people got their "elbows up," bought Canadian products and pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump's musings about Canada becoming a 51st State and tariff threats. Then there was a federal election — a fast and furious campaign that ended with some frustrated western Canadians talking about separation.
It's led many to feel like there's a national existential crisis amid the ongoing effort to understand the values that define our nation.
CBC First Person is exploring what makes residents and citizens from all backgrounds feel rooted in this country as we approach Canada Day. Read some of the perspectives shared from people all across the country.
I'm a proud Québécois. Moving to Alberta helped me feel even more Canadian
Thomas Aguinaga's parents didn't speak a word of each other's languages when they met, but their children grew up bilingual and both Canadian and Québécois. Aguinaga writes about how he learned to appreciate both elements of the Canadian identity and the idea of compromise after his time living in Alberta. Read more.
I didn't know what it meant to be Canadian until I saw a photograph that opened my eyes
When the photo of a drowned Syrian boy began circulating, Cape Breton's Clare Currie felt deeply moved to help. She saw the people of her beautiful but underresourced island mobilize in a big way to welcome newcomers to Canada. Read more.
More to come.