The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge - Your Turn - Your Identity

Episode Date: June 4, 2026

How do you define yourself? How do you self-identify? That's the question this week, along with the Random Ranter who goes after a regular target of his. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. You're just moments away from the latest episode of the bridge. It's Thursday. It's your turn. The question this week is, your identity. How do you define yourself by your city, your province, your country? What would it be? That's our question for this week on your turn.

And it's the random renter as well. Because it's Thursday. Coming right up. And hello there, Peter Mansperge. here, you know, when we thought of the question for this week, I wasn't quite sure how this might turn out, what kind of answers we'd get. The question is basically, how do you define your identity? Do you define it by city, province, country, background, culture? What could it be? So I wondered, what kind of answers will we get, and will we get a lot of answers? Well,

we got a lot of answers. And they're really interesting. I want you to listen closely to it. In fact, you know, my friend Mark Bullgutche, who helps me out on these things, suggested, and I think he's right, that we should consider this also as a repeat on Canada Day. Because it really tells you something. There are answers from all across the country. you know, from the north, from the east, the west.

I was going to say the south. Well, south, if you're in the north, it's the south. It's not the south, meaning that other south. Anyway, lots of them. So I think while we'll do this today, we'll put it on the repeat button for January, for July 1st, for Canada Day. which isn't that far away now. So why don't we get started?

As I said, we got a lot of letters, and sadly, a lot of them came in after the deadline, 3 p.m. Eastern yesterday. We might hold on to those for some future program. But rules are the rules, as they say. Okay, let's get started. A lot of new writers. I think Byron Hone in Calgary may well be a first time

writer. He's written a beautiful letter to start this off. Capture the images in this. Born in Calgary's General Hospital, now a beautiful green space in our multicultural neighborhood, raised in northern Ontario. I swam in warm lakes, tapped a maple tree, and tasted its freshly evaporated syrup. These days, I trek with my son to alpine lakes and streams as aspiring anglers. I've peaked summits in the Rockies. My favorite place is Yuclut, B.C. Love Yuclulet, just down the road from Tafino. Two very

different little communities, very close to each other. Whatever I am, I'm a grateful human for being born in Canada forever. Thanks, Byron. Brian Sarty in Guelph, Ontario. My grandpa was a young Danish immigrant to Canada in

1901. At 18 years old, he signed up to the Canadian expeditionary force and went back overseas to serve at Epe, the Somme, and at Vimey, where he was severely wounded. Man, those three battles were just brutal. In my 68 years, I've always thought of myself as Canadian. Last September, I finally traveled to Vimy. I have never felt so proud and lucky to be Canadian.

I know how you feel, Brian. I've been to Vimey a few times. and coming back from there, I don't think I've ever felt so Canadian. Nicholas Hamilton and Prince George, BC. I am a Canadian first. To me, Canada means keeping strong relationships among the founding groups, English, French, First Nations, immigrants. As a person from BC, I consider us the only West,

and even Alberta is part of Eastern Canada. I remember Trudeau and Harper's debate about old stock Canadians. Like most Canadian families, we are a mixture of old stock and new stock in every generation. Dave Ennis in Fort Langley, BC. John Lennon's lyrics, where he dreams of a world without borders, is where I sometimes think I would like to be. A world citizen. Then I see extremism around the globe and know that I'm fortunate to be Canadian.

So until further notice, I'm Canadian first. Gary Gould in Brantford, Ontario. When announcing to others how I identify, how I identify, depends upon who and where I am at the time. For example, if I am in, say, Newfoundland, I say I'm from Ontario, and usually get a favorable response. If I'm in Alberta and I say I'm from Ontario, and usually get a sneer. When I'm in Europe, I say, I'm from. Canadian to friendly smiles. When I'm in the U.S., I say,

I'm from Rhode Island. Kristen Gitae in Telqua, B.C. I am Canadian. My family carries histories of movement, immigration from World War II with deep gratitude for Canada, and a

Quebecoa family moving from language, place, and belonging. I grew up in southern Ontario, but living in Guatemala, made my Canadianness visible and precious to me. Living in Northern BC has to be deepened my understanding that I belong to Canada while also being a visitor on indigenous lands. That tension feels very Canadian to me.

Marco Alexandre in Montreal. I've always identified first and foremost as Portuguese and rarely look beyond that. In Canada, most people, readily see me that way. Curiously, my friends and family back in Portugal insist, I am Canadian. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I am what I am.

Lees Morton in Southampton, Ontario. If traveling abroad, I always proudly identify myself as Canadian, sometimes further adding French Canadian. Within Canada, I will say that I was raised in northern Ontario and currently live in southwestern Ontario. and I might further explain that I am Franco-Ontarian. But as I wrote this, it struck me that I would never first answer, I'm an Ontario.

It'll be interesting to hear whether there are others in Ontario say that. Jason McGraw and Fredericton. How I think of myself first is Canadian. Second is Acadian. And last is New Brunswicker. Why Canadian first? I'd be more lost if Canada wouldn't exist than if Acadia was no longer a concept.

I'd be more effective if Acadia would disappear as a concept than if New Brunswick would. Moira Young in Calgary When I was first old enough to understand what a country was, the preparations were well underway for Canada's centennial celebrations in 1967. I remember the school fitness programs, the Centennial Train and Caravan visits, Expo 67, the Centennial Song,

and all the enthusiasm and pride surrounding me. Since then, I always identify as a proud Canadian citizen first, a Calgarian second, and as an Albertan last. I have lived over seven decades in Alberta. It sickens me today with how we've been tricked by our current provincial government. Alexander Como in Little Brook, Nova Scotia. It's near Digby. I identify myself first as an Acadian.

As for why, a possibility could be that we share a somewhat complicated history with the powers of British colonialism, or perhaps that our heritage extends well past the formation of Canada. This in no way diminishes the fact that I have always been and will be a proud Canadian. After all, what is Canada other than a collection of diverse peoples working cooperatively toward a common future? Sheila Kinsell in Calgary. When I travel abroad, I always proudly say I'm Canadian. I'll tell them I live into Calgary and I go into more details if they ask. But lately, with the growing separatist movement here in Alberta, I've been making a conscious effort to

emphasize my Canadian first identity. I tell them I'm 100% Canadian first and foremost. I live in Alberta, but I was born and raised in Saskatchewan. We live in one of the best countries in the world, and I'm so proud to be Canadian. Ken Peloshock in Newstad, Ontario. I think of myself as Ukrainian. Internationally, of course, I'm Canadian. My fellow Ukrainians were taught some of our ancestors came from a nation which didn't exist on the map.

The Russians insisted we didn't exist at all, but Stalin couldn't extinguish the Ukrainian identity and spirit. I see Ukrainian as a subgenre of Canadian. We're like other Canadians, but we know Parogi don't come from the freezer section of the grocery store. Parogi, put a he. Don Lomas in Burlington, Ontario. When asked which is seldom, I answer, I am Canadian. I was born, raised, and live in Ontario. I graduated university and got married in Quebec.

I worked temporarily in Newfoundland. I'm Canadian. My wife arrived in Canada as a refugee from Czechoslovakia in 1968 when the Russians invaded. She will answer the question more emphatically. I am Canadian. Brett Christensen, Gannonacquay, Ontario. Gateway to the Thousand Islands. I identify as Canadian.

No one region defines my identity. I was born in Alberta, moved to BC in my teens. I joined the Navy and served in Nova Scotia, BC, and Ontario. I don't have any particularly strong ethnic background other than my mom's biological parents, both of whom had some Aboriginal roots. The rest is a very mixed bag of European heritage. I am Canadian. Isaac Rashid in Hamilton

The first time I set foot on this country's soil was in April of 1968. I was five years old. I remember the customs officer smiling at my brother and me and saying to my father he was a lucky guy to have two sons. From that moment forward, I unequivocally identified and identify, as Canadian. Liz Scanlon and Toronto. As I was listening to this week's question,

an unexpected answer jumped to my mind. A mum. Unexpected because my kids are getting older and being a mom is less a day-to-day role than it used to be. But they've shaped who I am more than anything else about me. I'm from Toronto.

But when I'm traveling internationally, I say Canadian. Because I'm peeved by Americans, assuming everyone knows their city or state. Ken Malagas or Malagas in Regina. Within my own city, I say I am from the neighborhood of Lakeview. Within my country of Canada, when someone asks where I'm from, I say Regina. When someone across the country slags my province, I say I'm from Saskatchewan.

Traveling outside the country, I am from Canada, Canadian. lately because of the orange menace and his administration officials I am feeling strongly Canadian even in my neighborhood of Lakeview I am Canadian Robert Ong in Toronto simply put I identify as a Canadian of Filipino Chinese and Spanish ancestry from Toronto Terry Jago in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan First and most important of all I am Canadian Though I have distinct heritage going back to my great-grandparents, I rarely claim that identity unless asked.

I designate myself as a prairie girl rather than from Saskatchewan. And sometimes with embarrassment because I have a male spelling of a unisex name, it is important I identify myself as female. Canadian, female, Scandinavian, Prairie Girl, Baby Boomer, Mom, and Grandma. Regway Flynn in Goose Bay, Labrador. I grew up in a small village in southeast Labrador, Williams Harbor, which was resettled in 2017. In a broader context, I always identify as Labradorian first, Canadian second, and from the province of Newfoundland, third. However, being from Williams Harbor is what I identify with most. It is and always will be my home.

It is the place I cherish above all others. I'm from Williams Harbor. Lizanne Donnelly in Charlottetown. I am Canadian, born in Quebec, raised in Ontario. Never been prouder to say just that. Angela Dodd in Parkfield, BC. That's on the island, right? Vancouver Island. I identify as Canadian first, followed by a blue-noseder, a Nova Scotian.

where I grew up. I have lived on Vancouver Island for 30 years, but when traveling, I say that I'm from British Columbia. I lived in Quebec City for my university years, started my teaching career in the Ottawa Valley, and I have driven across this fabulously diverse country coast to coast more than once. So when asked, I am 100% Canadian. Donna Wilson in Cowuchin Valley, BC.

I have lived and worked in four different provinces and have never thought of myself as anything but Canadian. I've also lived and worked abroad for a number of years, which made me realize more than ever how proud I am to be Canadian. Catherine McKay in Winnipeg. I'm a proud third-generation Canadian. My dad was a saber and a Hercules pilot in the RCAF. Seeing him in uniform and the flag on the aircraft always gave me a sense of pride.

We lived in Portage La Prairie, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Ottawa, untravelled by car across this vast, diverse country. My dad, now 90, and I talk of how lucky we are to live here, despite grumblings that we hear. Frank Solinger in Massey, Ontario, near Owen Sound. Canadian first and foremost, why? My father and two of his brothers, as well as two of my mother's brothers, all enlisted in the Canadian forces in World War II. They did this to protect our rights and freedom. I am forever thankful for their sacrifices.

Don Whitmore in Colonna, BC. If I am in Canada, I usually use my city. When they look at me strangely, I add my province. For the rest of the world, outside of the U.S., I am Canadian, and I no longer travel to that fallen giant to the south of us. Gillian Blackmore and St. John's I am Canadian because Canada is a country that represents

freedom, courage, diversity, kindness, broad-minded thinking and linguistic duality. We are blessed with extraordinary beauty from coast to coast to coast. I'm also a proud Newfoundlander and a townie. That's from St. John's. Leo Bourdain in Ottawa. When I talk about my identity, I mention that I'm French-Canadian.

It's an old term, but it honors my francophone roots and indicates that I'm Canadian. I cringe every time I hear, isn't that the same as Quebecois? I live most of my life outside Quebec. Julie Smith Allen in Lethbridge, Alberta. I've lived in three different provinces and several different communities, all within Canada. Always Canada. I think of my dad, tears glistening in his eyes as he spoke of the country he came to from Scotland as a young boy, and the country he risked it all for in World War II.

He was a proud Canadian. I am a proud Canadian. Debbie Adams, writing from Halifax, originally from Upper Island Cove, Newfoundland Labrador. I'm a proud Newfoundlander. Make no mistake about it. But I consider myself a Canadian first. It may be because I joined the Army when I was 17, one of the first cohorts of women mechanics. I lived in many regions and have a habit of calling home the place where I hang my hat. In Hebelthwaite, in Moncton, I was born in Stranraer and lived in Scotland till I was 11. I'm Scottish and proud to be.

But the way I think you show your stripes is who do you cheer for in sports, I do have sports where I cheer Canada first, and somewhere it is still Scotland. So the truth is, I'm Scottish Canadian. Michael Artendale in Sudbury, Ontario. I'm from Northern Ontario. I'm born and raised here. I did move away for school and to join the Royal Canadian Navy, but now I'm back and never planned to leave.

I refer to myself as a northerner. I have more in common with other people in Northern Ontario, of people in the greater Toronto area, Ottawa, or even Windsor. Michael Pash in Victoria. I am first and foremost a Canadian. BC is beautiful. Victoria is lovely, but that just happens to be where I live. In a country this vast, there are bound to be regional and cultural differences. These deserve respect and understanding, not rancor and division.

We are better than that. embrace this amazing land. Be proud and grateful to be here. Trevor Barry in Sanich, BC. Lately, I've never felt more Canadian. The Elbows Up era brought my patriotism up to the 2010 Golden Gold Level. And now Albertan Sepes following the Davos rupture has amplified these feelings further. Despite this, I still identify more strongly as a British Columbian,

and in particular a sixth generation coastal British Columbian. We're getting ready for our break and listening to the random renter, but there's lots more letters. Let me squeeze another one in before the break. Phyllis Allain in Moncton. When we travel and our ask where we're from, it goes like this. I start with Canada, then British Columbia. Excuse me.

Let me try that again. Start with Canada, then New Brunswick, then Moncton. If they are still interested, I say, originally I am from a small place up north called New Mills, near Dalhousie. Surprisingly, once I say Canada, folks are pretty friendly, and some have even said they're glad because Canadians are friendly. It feels pretty good. It does feel pretty good, and it feels pretty good listening to these letters, and there's lots more to come. So let's take our break. And then we'll come back with a random ranter.

He's got a message today. Let me tell you. But we'll do all that after this. And welcome back. You're listening to The Bridge, the Thursday episode. That means your turn. Your question this week is, how do you define your identity in terms of where you're from?

You're listening on Sirius X. Channel 167, Canada Talks, or on your favorite podcast platform. We're glad to have you with us. Well, I guess if you had to say in the last two years, which topic has kind of fallen into the random rancers' grass beach more than any other? And there have been a lot of different rants. I'd say generally, mostly on.

Canadian politics, but not exclusively. And if there's some one person who's attracted more discussion from the ranter than any other, is this guy. Here he is, the ranter for this week. You don't want to miss this. It's pretty good.

Here we go. Is it just me or is anyone else out there alarmed at just how disinterested Donald Trump is about the pending midterms? I mean, he's acting like he couldn't care less, to the point where he's even coming out and saying as much. I don't know about you, but that's scary to me. I mean, his war in Iran is a loser. Gas prices are through the roof, and America has the highest inflation rate in the G7. Yet he doesn't seem concerned about the midterms, not one bit.

even his all-time historic low approval rates don't seem to be making him sweat. It's all got me worried because like I've said on here many times before, I just don't see the midterms happening. And judging by Trump's behavior, I'm feeling more and more confident in my prediction. Now, unlike his doctors who keep testing him over and over and over again, I don't think Trump has dementia. I just think he's straight up old school demented. but demented with a plan.

To me, it's the only thing that explains his behavior. He either thinks or he knows the fix is in. Now, that might be giving him too much credit, but at this point, I can sort of see why he's feeling confident, and I'm done with underestimating him. This is Donald Trump we're talking about, the guy who's broken every norm, defied every scandal, and has a track record of survival

that would put any self-respecting cockroach to shame. I mean, he tore down the East Wing unannounced. He paved the Rose Garden, and he's built a gladiator arena on the front lawn of the White House. He's putting his name on buildings and his face on money. He survived all sorts of sex scandals, from porn stars to sexual assaults, to whatever he was up to with Jeffrey Epstein. His level of corruption is unprecedented and astronomical. His appetite for grift knows no bounds. He's got no shame and no conscience. I mean, the midterms are right around the corner and he's gallivanting around like some sort of Roman emperor

threatening to wipe Persia off the map. He'd think after his embarrassment in Iran that he might learn. But like I said, we're talking about Trump. He doesn't learn. He doubles down until he's bankrupt. So look out Cuba. It's your turn. next and after that, well, I got to think it's Greenland and then maybe even us. I put nothing past him and I have no faith in the forces of America defying him or even restraining him. I don't know how it all ends. Maybe he decides to bring it all full circle and test his original 2016 theory by shooting someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue. With Trump, your guess is as good as anyone's. Look what he did the last time he lost. January 6th was a full-on.

attempted coup, but instead of facing jail, four years later, he's the president again. And back with literal vengeance. I mean, he's purged the civil service, suppressed the press, and subverted all the checks and balances to his power. In his first term, you could sort of rely on the justice system and the military to act as a sober voice of reason. But can you count on them today with the same sort of confidence? I mean, how many war crimes is the U.S. military committed for Trump by double-tapping drugboats in the Pacific or blowing up girls' schools in Iran. How many revenge prosecutions has the Justice Department filed? How many FBI investigations?

And how many IRS tax audits? I mean, what branch of the government hasn't Trump weaponized, infiltrated, or enfeebled? That's why I think the importance of the midterms cannot be understated. And I mean that in every way. Because whether Trump wins or loses or somehow, games the system to make them magically disappear, the midterms are going to be a major event for American democracy, or perhaps the end of it. The random renter for this first rant of June, 2026. It's a memorable one. You might want to

isolate that one. Play it every once in a while. This is not bad. Ah dear. Okay, let's move to things more interesting. Well, not necessarily more interesting, but more, well, more fun. The question of the week is how you define yourself, whether it's, you know, by your city, by your province, by your country, by something as part of your background. That was the question. And we've had such an incredible range of answers. And as I said, by a lot of first-time writers, this one, I think is a first-time writer, too,

is from New Brunswick. Michael Demings. I stand on two shores. Canada's vast prairies and mountains and the fogged maritimes. Listen close. You'll hear the Bay of Shillur in my voice.

I'm a herring choker. Low tide, lobster traps, porch waves, unlocked doors. I'll call you buddy, fast. You can leave the Maritimes, but not the salt water in my blood. All right.

Thank you, Michael. Kathleen Weeb in, or Weeby, Kathleen Weeb in Canmore, Alberta. The thing with the Weeb name, I've heard it pronounced both ways over during my lifetime. Weeb and Weeb. My guess is Kathleen is Kathleen Weeb. Canmore, Alberta. I'm a Canadian, born in Ontario, fascinated by Co-Boubal. headed west on the train,

thanks to my Manitoba-born mom's origin stories. Enjoyed sunrises over Saskatchewan, landed in Banff, lived in Victoria, now back in Alberta's Bow Valley, east only to Ramuski and north to Peace River. This is an amazing country. Banff Canaanascus is Alberta's only rural riding with an NDP, MLA.

If Alberta separates, We joined B.C. Corinne Graves in Calgary. I spent my youth in Saskatchewan, and when I married, I moved to Alberta. Both my sons and my granddaughter were born in Calgary. That being said, I identify myself as Canadian first and foremost. Both my grandfathers served in World War II. I love this beautiful country and plan on seeing more of it soon.

Raj Krishnan, in Toronto. I'm a Canadian of Indian origin who lives in Toronto. If I'm talking to people within the South Asian communities, I may mention my ancestral language, which is Tamil. That's the order. Interestingly, the fact that I'm from Ontario comes last. I've lived in Ontario my whole life and rarely hear of Ontario pride or people waving Ontario's flags or calling themselves proud Ontarians.

It's a good point, Rush. You don't usually hear that. You hear of them define themselves as Canadian or even Torontonian. Tony Pillow in Calgary. I currently introduce myself as Canadian, but as a child in Montreal, I would describe myself as Italian, very proud of my heritage. Amongst all the talk of the liberals pivoting to the right, nothing is more personally disappointing to me than their current stance on immigration.

I feel sorry for young immigrant children who will not experience the same, pride in immigrant communities fostered by Pierre Trudeau and his era of multiculturalism as I did. Scott Burke in Halifax Where I say I'm from depends where I am in the world.

Within Canada I'm a caper, someone from Cape Breton. Well, in Europe I'm Canadian first then when I say I am from Nova Scotia. The one constant is that no matter where I am the world, Cape Breton will always be home. Ian Smyth in Winnipeg. I will always be a Winnipeger first. There is something about this place of extremes,

from its history of boom and decline to its harsh winters and glorious summers, and its relative geographic isolation that creates a deep sense of place. I've lived in a few different places, including in the U.S., where my Canadianness came to the floor, but when someone asks, where are you from? The answer for me is always Winnipeg. Constance Menzies in Narrow, Manitoba. An Eastern European kept asking me where I was from,

despite repeating that I am Canadian, they wouldn't accept this. They had to place me. My ties to other countries is so very thin that being Canadian is all I know. What version? Montreal-born, post-Expo 67, mixed in with 70s-era CBC, the only media exposed to up north, My reply finally was a hyphenated Canadian, as that's what they wanted to hear. Don Dufour in Ottawa. For sure, my first crack at my identity is proud Canadian.

City isn't an automatic identifier for me because I've split my life almost 50-50 between Toronto, born, raised, early career, and Ottawa, marriage, children, retirement. I love this country, and I've been fortunate to have visited many of its beautiful corners and never travel abroad without sporting my Canada flag pin on my lapel. Jason Craig in Conquerel Mills, Nova Scotia, near Lunenburg. As someone lucky enough in my younger years to drive coast to coast several times, and even having hitchhiked the trip once in six days, I'll humbly suggest that I am a Canadian first and a Nova Scotian second.

My experience has strongly compel me to want to want to. pay it forward to our children. Now that they're getting older, we're aspiring to a cross-country trip as a family. Everyone should do it once. Good for you. John Minchell in Comox Valley, BC, these days I identify myself first regionally in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, as that's where I now live. Formerly, I would have first identified myself by my city of Vancouver, BC, Vancouver, BC, as I am a fifth generation Vancouverite. On my father's side of the family, I have roots going back to the founding of Vancouver in 1886. Since coming to the Comox Valley, I'm still figuring out where I fit.

Kelly McGuire in Ottawa. I won the birthplace lottery when I was born in Canada. I'm free to love whomever I choose. Sickness has never bankrupted my family. Canada is accepting of all. I love my country. My name is Kelly, and I am Canadian. Yeah, we all remember that ad.

Jane Goundry in White Rock, BC. I am a Canadian. I have lived in many parts of Canada, and I have lived in many parts of the world. To me, living in any part of Canada is better than living anywhere else. I think if folks from any... part of Canada who thinks separation is the answer to their troubles just travel to other parts of the

world and even better live there for a while. They would come home with a different attitude to Canada and to being Canadian. Samuel Prunot in Quebec City. I'm a Francophone who teaches English as a second language in a Quebec college. Although I love English, I primarily identify as Quebecois, except when I'm at work. I live my life in French, and while I'm bilingual and I've come to embrace my Canadian identity, Canada feels like a working coalition. I'm grateful to be a part of. And Quebec, like the family that's brought me into the world, my mother tongue is home. Frank Padisi in Toronto. I am Canadian. No hyphins applied, although I am qualified for many. Let's stop slicing our country into parts and instead focus on the whole.

We enjoy peace and secure. because of all those who came before us who cherished this land, developed our industry, defended our borders, and with their lives, and wrote our stories. We have a great future because we've had a great past together. Virginia Campana in Calgary. I always identify myself as Canadian First if I'm out of the country. I was born in England, but I never say I'm British.

In Canada, I say I live in Calgary. I never say I'm an Albertan. This is partly because I grew up in Ontario, but also because although I love Alberta, I don't like the far right factions here. Lois Nisbet Wall in

Wymark, Saskatchewan. That's near Swift Current. I identify as a Canadian first, second I live in Saskatchewan. I've been on an agricultural exchange to New Zealand in 1984. I liked it there, but Canada is my home. And I

would have trouble leaving. We are blessed here. Douglas Mitchell in Edmonton, my grandfather was born in Charlottetown. My father was born in Ottawa, as was I. Following opportunity, my father moved our family to Edmonton when I was a baby. In 1980, as a young adult, I spent two years working in each of the Atlantic provinces and came to adore the people and culture there, especially in Newfoundland. My two children, now young adults themselves, were born in St. Albert. Though I will use the word Edmontonian, on occasion, I have always thought of myself first and foremost as a Canadian. A very proud Canadian. Brent Bush in Nanymo, BC. I've been fortunate enough in my life to have

traveled to most of the countries in Europe, a few in Southeast Asia and New Zealand. I've enjoyed every moment of visiting those countries, but at the end of my life, I've been my travels I'm excited about returning home to Canada. Even though there are regional disparities, I firmly believe that we live in the most beautiful country in the world and that opinion, that opinion will never change. Hey, guess who's writing from Fannie Bay, British Columbia, Marilyn Wallace? Even though I'm in my mid-60s, I still travel with a backpack that proudly displays a tiny Canadian flag. On a recent trip to Vietnam, a fellow traveler annoyingly questioned the authenticity of my Canadian identity.

When I was finished with him, there was no doubt or confusion. I have lived in three provinces, each with their special character, but my roots are firmly planted in the majestic essence of our Canada. John Heron in Victoria, I've visited Juno Beach, Benis Surmere, Vimy Ridge, and other important sites in France and Belgium while cycling in Western Europe. be it the elderly farmer in Normandy, who upon seeing our Canadian cycling jersees shouted, Vive la Canada! Or our kind host in Bruges, who eagerly explained the significance of Canada Bridge.

Their gratitude was heartfelt. By the way, Canada Bridge honors the 12th Manitoba dragoons who liberated the city on September 12, 1914. The bridge features two giant bison, the provincial symbol of Manitoba, was open. opened in 1948. It is with the outmost pride that I identify as Canadian, says John. Douglas de Gelder in Dundas, Ontario, I identify as a Dutch Canadian, despite not having been born in the Netherlands.

My parents and grandparents were immigrants, and I was raised somewhat culturally. Dutch, went to a Dutch church and ate a lot of Dutch food. The cultural mosaic is a bit passe these days, but I think it's one of Canada's greatest strengths. However, I'm sure my kids would identify as straight up Canadian. Todd Burns in Montreal, living in the province of Quebec, sadly I refer to myself as an anglophone more than I'd like to.

But otherwise, I'm Canadian, Irish Canadian, or a Montrealer, or a Habs fan. They gave it a good run. But the Montreal Victoire, now they gave it a run. Good for them. Congratulations. to the victoire. I am of Irish descent and a proud Canadian. Kind of sad I never, ever refer to myself as a Quebecois. Rhonda Mulligan in Sturgeon County, Alberta just north of Edmonton. I am a proud Canadian. The recent separatist talk has made me even more resolute about that. I love Alberta deeply, but Canada comes first, always. The words, he shall have dominion from sea to sea, that's from Psalm 72.8. which inspired our national motto,

remind me that we are part of something larger than ourselves. Don Ferguson in Victoria, my family immigrated from Scotland in 1846. I periodically proudly attend local Scottish Highland Games. I have lived in all the Western provinces, but my loyalties and allegiances are only to Canada. Doug Moore in Nuneuce Bay, BC, on the east side of Vancouver Island. When I'm in Canada,

having been born and raised for the first 20 years of my life in Charlottetown, BEI, I have always self-identified as a Prince Edward Islander. My memories of life on the island are those of a happy family life and carefree living, no crime, no homelessness, friendly neighborhoods, where everyone knew each other and, of course, surrounded by an environmental heaven of red soil and white sand beaches. Outside Canada, I simply identify as Canadian. Teresa Oban Singh in Saskatoon.

If I am in Canada, I will say I am Canadian. If I'm outside of Canada, excluding the USA, I will say I am Canadian. If I am in the USA, I will say I am a Saskatchewanian. I use this to test their intellect and, yes, judge them. I'm never surprised when their eyes glaze over. Wayne L. in Calgary. Canadian first? Why?

The history of Canada made me. The sacrifices of Canadians before me built a place full of opportunity for an amazing life. First Nations taught my ancestors how to survive and live on their land. Land that is blessed with resources. My freedom comes from those who fought at Normandy

and Vimy, an army from all provinces, languages, and cultures. I was formed by the history that is Canada. Christine Franzen in Dundas on When traveling, I identify as a proud Canadian first. I dig deeper if the conversation goes further. At home, I have a Canada flag pin on my coat and a Canada flag on the front porch. Carol Collinson in Toronto.

I identify as Canadian first. I was born here and I've lived in Canada all my life. As a seventh generation Canadian, my pride began with my family, especially one aunt. I remember her gushing over Anne Murray. and Gordon Lightfoot's music, Farley Mowett's books, ensuring her love of Pierre Burton's The Last Spike. She encouraged me to explore Canada.

I've kept reading, listening, watching Canadian artists as well as traveling across Canada for 60-plus years. Mark Manchester in Toronto. As a kid, I wrote the sender's address on some letters, on some letter to someone, likely a relative, top left corner. I wrote my name. Johnson Street, Barry, Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada, the world.

I was identifying and still do, though some places have changed. I begin my identifying with home family, then neighborhood, city, province, country. But I think of myself as a speck on a beautiful planet. So, the world. I identify myself as a human. Here's our last letter. Todd Maffin in Vancouver. Now, Todd used to work at the CBC.

It was our tech columnist. I remember working with Todd. That's what he writes from Vancouver. I make content about Canadian identity on social media and have about one and a half million followers. That's a lot of followers. You know, I don't know what I got, 300,000, something like that, which is a lot.

But one and a half million, that's impressive. Todd writes, I actually have some real data on your question about how people identify. I asked my 52,000 newsletter readers, do you consider yourself more Canadian or more from your province? Nearly 35,000 of them responded. 91% said they considered themselves more Canadian. Only 9% said they identified with their province first. So a big sample. Sounds like the same kind of result.

that we've had. But let me just say that I have a lot of respect for Todd. Todd's smart guy. But he did say that his data was real data. Now, it of course isn't any more scientific

than your turn's data, even though his survey had more responses. What makes data real is having a random sample of people, that is people, who closely resemble the Canadian population in terms of age, sex,

locality, ethnic background, etc. Neither Todd nor I have any idea what the people who didn't respond to us think. We have a flavor of opinion from one part of the population. And it is interesting. But let's not confuse it with a scientific sample. But let me tell you what else I've been thinking. That was our last letter. I think all of you wrote, and there's, you know, there are others who wrote as well.

Just didn't make it into the final cut. This is what I was thinking as I was reading the letters. People sometimes say, what are you thinking when you're reading all those letters? Well, you're actually trying to focus on the letters, the reading part of it all. And, of course, I don't always do that well. I stumble around. but here's what I was thinking no for these

these particular Americans like their president but not exclusively their president who think oh she's just become the 51st state I mean Canada's not even a real country now when you listen to that crap you go

they just don't get it do they well if they want to get it it, they should listen to what you've written this week. Then they'll get it. Then they'll understand. Then they'll see why the overwhelming majority of us embrace the thought of Canada. So wherever you are on this day, and if you're listening to the repeat broadcast on Canada Day, I'm sure you have your own thoughts on this question about your identity.

Enjoy this day. and enjoy Canada Day if you're listening on Canada Day. I'm Peter Mansford so much thank yous to you for listening on this day, and you know tomorrow will be a good talk. Bruce and Chantel will be here. And as we'd like to say on Thursday, there's lots to talk about tomorrow, and there will be. So we'll see you in less than 24 hours.

Bye for now.