Friday, October 3, 2025

In Praise of Immigrants

Enough is enough! I am posting this because I am sick and tired of the vilification of immigrants, migrants and refugees by right-wing conservatives. It's sad that many Americans believe Donald Trump's lies. It's sad that they believe Fox News. It's tragic that they they buy the myth that caravans of "illegal alien" criminals are invading the United States. Have Americans forgotten the message inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty, which has welcomed scores of newcomers to the New World. As a reminder, here is that message. It needs to be heard now more than ever because if Trump and MAGA had its way, America would be a nation of Archie Bunkers.

The New Colossus

By Emma Lazarus

"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
'Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!' cries she
With silent lips. 'Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!'"

My grandparents were immigrants from Sicily. They eventually settled in Toronto, Canada, but in those days, newcomers from Southern Italy had to go to Ellis Island. My grandparents were some of the many who have contributed to the building Canada.

Here is a post from Caroline Codsi, a Canadian businesswoman, founder of Women in Governance & Party Certification, a non-profit organization, created in 2010 to assist women in accessing decision-making roles. Codsi writes about the value of immigration. It is worth reading.

For decades, from Eisenhower to Biden, U.S. presidents — both Republican and Democrat — have spoken with pride about what truly makes America strong: its immigrants.

They reminded us that diversity is not a threat but a foundation, that people come to the US not for handouts but for opportunity, that America’s greatness has always been built by those who came with nothing but determination.

From JFK to Reagan, from Bush to Obama to Biden, they all echoed the same truth: the United States is a nation of immigrants. That is its power.
And then came Trump…

Dear American friends, remember who you are. Don't let fear, ignorance, and cruelty rewrite the soul of your nation. Refuse to be dragged backward by those who thrive on division.

Dear Canadian friends, let’s stand firm in who we are. Let’s not allow the current U.S. administration to poison our values, our compassion, or the inclusive society we’ve fought so hard to build. Our identity is not up for negotiation.

Here is a quote from American-born Elizabeth May, leader of Canada's federal Green Party. After a vacation on Cape Breton Island, her family was inspired to make Canada their home.

Canada wasn't perfect, but it was -- and continues to be -- quite profoundly, a work in progress. I have always loved the Canadian narrative. The U.S. has the notion of a melting pot. Sure they'll put up with immigrants, but they're expected to emerge from that pot homogenized..

The building of the railroad from the Atlantic to the Pacific was instrumental in bringing about Canadian Confederation. "The National Dream", as historian Pierre Berton called it, was completed in 1885. When British Columbia joined Confederation in 1871, the decision was based upon the promise of a railway to the Pacific coast. Canada would be a country from sea to sea. So, who was instrumental in building the national dream of a Canada from coast to coast. Foreign workers, that's who. Here are the facts according to the website government of British Columbia in an article entitled "Building the Railway."

* Over 17,000 Chinese men came to Canada to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway, with more than 70% of the Railway Workers being of Chinese origin.

* Difficult working conditions: Chinese workers were paid less than white workers and were often given the most dangerous tasks, such as handling explosive materials.

* Harsh living conditions: The work was dangerous and living conditions were poor, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Chinese workers.

Many of the Chinese workers were unprepared for B.C.’s harsh winters, especially at Port Moody where ice prevented supply ships from docking and, thus, providing the workers with some relief. It is estimated that more than 600 Chinese workers died during the building of the CPR—more than four for every mile of track. In 1891, a Chinese community association collected over 300 unidentified bodies to be flown back to China for proper burial.

- Asian Heritage Society website, "Chinese Labour on the Canadian Pacific Railway"

Note: According to some estimates, between 600 and 2,200 Chinese workers died during the construction of the Canadian National Railway between 1880 and 1885.

Canadian Pacific Railway workers

By the way, Chinese immigrants built the American Transcontinental railroad, which Abraham Lincoln described as the United States' most important goal.

"As a once Illinois railroad lawyer, Abraham Lincoln was convinced that railroads were essential to America’s future – drawing the nation together by trade, by travel, and by the defusing of yeomen farmers and immigrants, across the United States."

"Abraham Lincoln and the Transcontinental Railroad," from the official website of the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement

This is not an argument for unrestricted or unfettered immigration. However, immigrants are no more responsible for crime than native-born Americans and Canadians. In addition, immigrants and migrants do work that most native Americans refuse to do.

"A lot of Canadians don't want to do the jobs that are so called low-skill of low-pay, which are things like processing your chicken, slaughtering your beef, or getting fish."

- Economist Armine Yalnizyan

Unfortunately, right-wing conservatives stoke fears that immigrants are taking jobs away from native-born Canadians. At the same time, immigrants are condemned if they are unemployed. They are accused of living off of Canada's social programs. It can't be both ways. The real threat to jobs is Artificial Intelligence (AI), not immigrants.

In a September 23, 2025 column for the Toronto Star, David Olive points out that according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, immigrants comprise about 26% of the Canadian workforce and they account for 35 per cent of commuter programmers, 43 per cent of engineers and 57 per cent of chemists.

I despise the term "illegal aliens." The correct term is "undocumented immigrants." They are human beings, many trying to escape persecution in their countries of origin. Others simply want to earn some money to help out relatives, They are not creatures from another planet.

Anti-immigrant sentiment is caused by ignorance. It is a fear what we do not know or understand, including people of different cultures and religions. The truth is that we all share a common humanity and we all want the best for our families.

- Joanne

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Wise Advice for Parents

Although I am not a parent, I believe the following words are some of the I wisest I have ever read about parenting. That is why I would like to share this advice it with you.

You're raising future adults, not eternal children. Every problem you solve for them is a strength they don't develop. Every consequence you prevent is a lesson they don't learn. Every struggle you remove is resilience they don't build. Through resistance, not rescue.

- Scott Clary

It isn't easy buying a parent these day. Children have to develop independence. They have to be allowed to make their own mistakes and learn from them. It is impossible to protect your children from everything. They have to face the world on their own terms. They can't be what their parents want them to be. That is why they should be accepted for who they are. Too many parents try to live vicariously through their children. Assist them but don't control them, or they will end up resenting you. When they falter, be there for them, but don't rescue them. As difficult as it sometimes may be, allow them choose their own path. They will appreciate you for that.

- Joanne

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Perversion of Christianity

“I hate my opponents, and I don’t want the best for them.”

- Donald Trump

Charlie Kirk memorial, September 21, 2025

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”

- Jesus Christ

Luke 6:27

"When somebody hurts you, just go after them as viciously and violently as your can."

- Donald Trump

From How to Get Rich (2004)

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."

- Jesus Christ

Matthew 5:38-39

I am tired of the way Donald Trump and JD Vance and Mike Johnson pervert the true message of Christianity. They practice Christian nationalism, not Christianity. That is why I am calling them out. Christianity is not about vengefulness and hatred. It is not about vilifying immigrants, migrants and people of colour. It is not about mocking homosexuals or the disabled.

Trump recently expressed concert about whether he would go to heaven. If he really wants to inherit eternal life he should read the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

- Joanne

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Americans have a right to know the true state of Trump's health

Does this look like the face of a healthy man? His mouth is droopy and he can barely keep his eyes open. His behaviour is not normal. So, how much longer can Trump and his supporters endeavour to hide the truth? Their dear leader is a very sick man, mentally and physically. Republicans are trying everything possible to downplay Trump's condition, but his declining health is painfully obvious. The day will come when MAGA is unable to pretend otherwise. Is Trump going to have to collapse or have a public meltdown before Republicans play it straight with Americans?

Trump, 79, is in no condition to lead the United States of America. The American people have a right to know the facts about him. They deserve answers, not only about the state of Trump's heath, but about his connection to child sex trafficker Jefferey Epstein. The "Epstein Files" must be released, but don't expect transparency from the Trump regime. Trump has always hidden the truth about everything from his taxes to his health. Only someone with something to hide behaves this way.

The state of a leader's health is of paramount importance. It appears that Republicans willing to risk the safety and security of Americans in order to placate Donald Trump. Were they elected to serve the American people or to serve Trump?

This has to stop before it ends in abject tragedy for the United States and the rest of the world. Don't think that Putin and Xi and Kim Jong Un haven't taken notice of Trump's appearance. Why hasn't Trump's own family shown some concern for his well-being? They are probably being muzzled because in Trump World, poor health is a sign of weakness. They must cover up the state of Trump's health at all costs, even if it puts the well-being of the U.S. and the rest of the world in jeopardy. What complete and utter madness!

- Joanne

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Autumn Reading Suggestion

It's almost the first day of autumn and temperatures will soon be falling. Wouldn't you like to curl up by the fire with a good book? Do you want to support an independent author? Well, I have a suggestion for you. Why don't you check out my author's web page. Just click on the link below.

Joanne Madden – Author

I have self-published two novels - Children of Dieppe and The Missing Reporter. I am in the process of editing my third novel. It is a sequel to The Missing Reporter. There will be an announcement on social media and on my websites when my third novel becomes available. My third book involves the continuing adventures of Sandra McKay, an intrepid reporter from Prince Edward Island. This time, Sandra is a foreign correspondent who travels around the world. She is also targeted by mobsters Bruno Rossi and his cousin, Alberto Rossi.

I thank you for your time and your support. It is much appreciated.

- Joanne

Friday, September 12, 2025

The Blue Jays and the Drive of '25

Back in 1985, the Toronto Blue Jays made their first major playoff run. It was dubbed "The Drive of '85." The excitement was palpable, even though the Jays were not the only Canadian-based Major League Baseball franchise then. The Montreal Expos, of course, were still around. Sadly the Expos left Montreal after their final home game on September 29, 2004.

1985 was the Jays' nineth season in operation and they still played at Exhibition Stadium, which was called "The Mistake By the Lake." The team was owned by Labatt Breweries (45%), Imperial Trust Ltd. (45%) and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (10%). Average attendance was 31,653. Under manager Bobby Cox, the team finished atop the American League East, with a stellar record of 99 wins and 62 losses. It marked the first time the Jays reached postseason play. However, they collapsed in American League Championship series to the Kansas City Royals. To the disappointment of their fans, the Jays blew a 3-1 series lead and lost in seven games. The Royals went on to win the World Series that year. Still, the 1985 season was magical and fans had a taste of what was to come with back-to-back World Series victories in 1992 and 1993.

The 1985 Blue Jays featured the best young outfield in baseball - George Bell (left field), Lloyd Moseby (centre field) and Jesse Barfield (right field). Bell led the team with 28 home runs and he drove in 95 runs. Moseby and Barfield, as well as first baseman Willie Upshaw and catcher Ernie Whitt all hit 20 homers or more. Shortstop Tony Fernandez and outfielder Jesse Barfield shared the highest batting average of .289.

The pitching on that 1985 team was impressive, too. Dave Stieb recorded 14 wins and 13 losses, with an ERA of 2.48. Doyle Alexander had 17 wins and 10 losses, with an ERA of 3.45. Jimmy Key won 14 games, lost 6, with an ERA of 3.00.

Fast forward 40 years. It's 2025. The Blue Jays now play in a domed stadium with a retractable roof, located at the base of city's landmark CN Tower. The team is entirely owned by Rogers Communications Inc, which also owns the domed stadium. Rogers paid $25 million in 2005, a bargain basement price considering that it was originally built for $600 million. The dome opened in June of 1989. It was called SkyDome, but is now known as Rogers Centre, a name I detest. I'm not fond of the corporate naming of sports venues. However, if the dome had to have the Rogers name, it should have been called Rogers Field or Roger's Stadium or Roger's Park or Roger's Dome. A baseball field is not a "cemtre."

The other change that doesn't please me is the high cost of tickets. Fans can't catch a break. Ticket prices are going sky high. A Blue Jays game is still more affordable than a hockey game at Scotiabank Centre, but we all know that prices will continue to rise.

By the way, in 1985, an upper level chair for the American League Championship Series at Exhibition Stadium cost $33.00 Canadian.

How far will the 2025 edition of the Toronto Blue Jays go? We'll soon find out. The Yankees and the Red Sox are in hot pursuit. The Jays need a stronger bullpen and they haven't even officially made the playoffs yet, but there is excitement in the air.

- Joanne

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Wake up! The world is burning! Does anybody care?

"Today . . . we live in a world that is burning, both because of global warming and armed conflicts"

- Pope Leo XIV, July 2025

This summer, Pope Leo spoke out strongly about the threat to our earth and to humanity, as did his predecessor, Pope Francis. In July, Leo interrupted his two-week summer holiday to issue a stark warning about a world that is burning. He described the global situation as an "ecological crisis"

I wish that more world leaders would express a deep concern about climate change and war. Of course, I don't expect Donald Trump and his followers to express any environmental concerns. Trump thinks climate change is a hoax and that wind turbines (he calls them "windmills") cause cancer. He doesn't like wind energy at all. Nor does he like solar energy. All he wants to do is cut environmental regulations. He has tried to dismantle the American wind and solar energy industries. It is symbolic of Trump's attitude that he's paved over the rose garden at the White House, turning it into a concrete patio. Remember what Joni Mitchell sang about paving paradise and putting up a parking lot?

Trump does not support renewable energy. He prefers fossil fuels. He likes coal. There has never been an American leader so hostile to environmental protections/ Even Richard Nixon, a Republican, called for the establishment of an Environmental Protection Agency. With the world burning, this is the worst time possible for someone like Trump to be in the Oval Office.

What has former U.S. Vice President Al Gore been up to lately? Gore has spoken out strongly about the dangers of climate change. The 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, chronicled his efforts to alert the public to the dangers of the environmental crisis. I checked to see what he's been doing these days. Al Gore is 77 years old now, and he recently attended an event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil called The Climate Reality Project, which focused on political mobilization for climate action. During his visit to Brazil, Gore stated that America's position on the climate crisis changed depending on whether the Democrats or Republicans held power. Between 2017 and 2021, Trump withdrew the United States from Paris Agreement and its attempt to limit global warming. When Joe Biden became president, the United States returned to the agreement, only to withdraw again during Trump's second term.

Al Gore

I read this from the Weather Network yesterday.

B.C. and Alberta roast in late-August heat as records fall, relief out of reach

"The last week of August is turning into a scorcher in Western Canada, with B.C. and Alberta experiencing relentless heat.

Records are falling, wildfires are raging and meteorologists expect that summer-like conditions will persist until September."

Despite the wildfires in her province, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is determined to build more pipelines and lessen environmental restrictions.

It's not just Western Canada and B.C. Here's a headline from August 24, 2025.

Northwest Ontario Wildfire Update: 28 Active Fires, Thunder Bay Area Sees Elevated Risk

Here in Canada, the federal Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, have no interest in taking measures to combat climate change. Poilievre was a vocal critic of former PM Justin Trudeau's carbon tax. Poilievre vociferously opposed the carbon tax, using the slogan "axe the tax." Public opinion supported Poilievre's stance and it seemed as if the Conservative leader was going to win an easy victory in the federal election. Suddenly, everything changed. Trudeau resigned and Mark Carney became the new Liberal leader and prime minister. Carney still had to face an election. He knew he couldn't win the election with the unpopular carbon tax hanging over his head, so he immediately cancelled the tax and led a resistance to Trump's tariffs and his threat to make Canada the 51st state. Carney's Liberal Party won the election.

Prime Minister Mark Carney

Mark Carney is a former central banker. He is also a global advocate for climate action. Given the wildfires in Canada, I wish he would make the environment more of a priority. I wish he would speak about a green future for Canada and green jobs. I wish he would make our nation a leader in the sustainability movement.

Carney is in a difficult situation. He has to deal with a volatile, unstable, authoritarian U.S. president. Right-wing conservatives and their leaders such as Poilievre and Daniel Smith, are pressuring him to abandon environmental concerns. Big Oil wants to drill, baby, drill. Much of the public is more concerned with inflation and housing. People are worried about putting food on the table. They don't want to think about the environment. Sadly, they can't see the forest for the tress, and the forest is burning.

- Joanne

Monday, August 25, 2025

Why are so many athletes wearing zero on their uniform? Is it really a number?

It's been called a doughnut and a goose egg. Mathematically speaking, 0 (zero) is a number. It represents an empty quantity. Adding or subtracting 0 (zero) to any number never changes that number. Therefore, in mathematical terminology, 0 is the additive identity of the integers, rational numbers, real numbers, complex numbers etc. Yet, 0 is not a counting number. When children learn to count, they are not taught to say 0, 1, 2, 3 . . .

The topic of this discourse, however, is not mathematics. It is sports. I have noticed an increase in the number of athletes who wear 0 or 00 on their uniform. Wearing zero or double zero is not new, but it has always been rare. Now it seems to be gaining popularity. It is becoming trendy, although not in the National Hockey League, where it is not allowed. Only one non-goalie in NHL history has worn zero. Neil Sheehy, wore it while playing for the Harford Whalers during the 1987-88. season.

Here's what Sheehy stated about wearing zero: "When people asked me why I wore it I had some fun with it. I would tell them it was the furthest number from 99 and talent-wise I'm the furthest from Wayne Gretzky, but just remember opposites attract. At the time, the Battle of Alberta was pretty tense and my job was to play against Gretzky a lot of the time.

"I also told people I wanted to get the "O" back in my name, for O'Sheehy, my Irish ancestors. The truth is, in Ireland, our name was MacSheehy. I just tried to have some fun with it. Fans used to yell at me, 'Is zero your IQ? then somebody would say, 'Hey, this guy went to Harvard, you know.' It was hilarious."

Although Sheehy was the first skater to wear 0 in the NHL, he was not the first player to do so. In 1943-43, Paul Bibeault, goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens, wore zero. Over the course of his 102-game NHL career, Bibeault also wore 1, 14, 16 and 21. It seems he had a habit of changing his number.

Paul Bibeault

Goaltenders John Davidson and Martin Biron wore 00 briefly. Davidson was the first player in the NHL to wear double zero when he played for the New York Rangers during the 1977-78 season. he was influenced by Phil Esposito. When the Rangers acquired Esposito from the Boston Bruins. Phil wanted his usual number 7. However, it already belonged to Rod Gilbert of the Rangers. So, Phil decided to wear number 77. Double digit numbers were rare in the 1970s, but Esposito convinced the goaltender to also wear double digits.

Martin Biron wore double zero as a rookie with the Buffalo Sabres. In late December and early January of 1995-96 season, Biron was an emergency call-up from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He played in three games for Buffalo that season, becoming the last player to wear double zero in the NHL.

Hockey card with Byron wearing 00

Davidson wearing 00 with Rangers

Goalie Bernie Parent actually wore double zero before Davidson and Byron, but not while playing in the NHL. Bernie wore 00 while playing for the 1972-73 Philadelphia Blazers of the World Hockey Association (WHA).. Below is a photo of Bernie wearing 00 when he played for the Blazers.

No player has worn zero or double zero since Martin Biron. The league banned those digits in the 1990s for database reasons. Its database couldn't handle the null value. When NHL statisticians found a bug in their new stat-tracking software, the "Biron rule" was put into effect, restricting sweater numbers to whole numbers between1 and 99 (later limited to numbers between 1 and 98 after the league retired 99 in honour of Wayne Gretzky. One wonders why the NHL's software has not been upgraded to handle the nil value. Could it be that the league, for some reason, does not want its players to wear zero and double zero on their jerseys?

On my hometown baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, second baseman Andrés Giménez sports a zero on his uniform. He is the first member of the team to do so since Al Oliver in 1985. Oliver was the first player in Major League Baseball (MLB) to wear 0. When he was traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Texas Rangers after the 1977 season, he reportedly chose zero as a symbol of a new beginning with a new team. When Oliver and Cliff Johnson were teammates in Toronto in 1985, Johnson wore 00. At the time, the Blue Jays had a zero and a double zero on the same roster.

Andrés Giménez

Oliver wearing 0 with the Expos

The National Football League (NFL) approved zero on uniforms for the 2023 season. Below is a photo of Miami Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones when he played college football with Arizona State. He wore zero for two seasons in Arizona before being being selected by the New England Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft. "It represents where I'm from," Jones said in 2020. "I want to retire the number," he added. "I want to be the first guy to ever do it and the last guy to ever do it."

Jones was quite excited when the NFL approved zero on its jerseys. He changed his Twitter name to "0" and referred to himself as an "Agent Zero" in his biography.

What about the Canadian Football League? Does the CFL permit zero on player uniforms? Yes, CFL players can wear 0 to 99 inclusive. I assume that means double zero is not permitted in the CF. Although, I would never choose zero for a uniform number.it seems to be gaining popularity among athletes. I much prefer the number 16, of course.

- Joanne

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

The Unholy Trinity: Putin, Trump and Netanyahu

Here we are in the 21st century and three men have unleased untold suffering and death on the world. What do they have in common? They are all Alpha males in their 70s. They are all cruel. Together they form an unholy trinity of evil, a triumvirate of criminals who lack basic humanity.

Vladimir Putin of Russia, 72

Putin launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine in 2022. He is responsible for the death of civilians He is a war criminal. The International Criminal Court (ICC), located in The Hague, Netherlands, has issued a warrant for the arrest of Putin on charges on of crime against children in the Ukraine, A former big wheel in the KGB, the Russian leader is absolutely ruthless. His government tortures and murders political opponents such as Alexei Navalny.

Below is a photo of Putin c.1980 in a KGB uniform.

Putin: Attribution Kremlin.ru

Donald Trump of the United States, 79

Donald Trump has been twice impeached. A New York criminal trial has convicted him on 34 felony counts of falsified business records. In a civil case, a Manhattan federal jury found him liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll. On January 6, 2021, he encouraged an insurrection in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election in which he was defeated by Joe Biden. His ICE agents are harassing, imprisoning and deporting immigrants, legal and undocumented. His government is attempting to dismantle USAID and other foreign spending, causing disease and starvation.

Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, 75

The prime minister of Israel faces bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges in multiple cases. He continues his relentless assault on Gaza, spreading death, malnutrition and famine in the region, including the starvation of children. He has created a humanitarian crisis.

- Joanne

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Why I could not watch last night's Blue Jays game. I'm not pleased about it!

Readers of Number 16 know that I am a huge fan of the Toronto Blue Jays. Last night, the Jays won a comeback thriller and Alejandro Kirk recorded his first career stolen base. The Jays' catcher led the team to 6-5 victory over the Texas Rangers with a two-run homer in the seventh inning and a deciding two-run single in the eighth inning. Unfortunately, I was unable to enjoy the game on television or stream it. Why? Because the game was not shown on Sportsnet, which regularly covers the Jays. Instead, it was streamed on Apple TV. Many fans, including myself, do not subscribe to Apple TV. I already pay a monthly fee to subscribe to Netflix. I have no intention of subscribing to Apple TV to see the occasional Jays game. It's a ploy to squeeze more money out of the fans.

Alejandro Kirk

Sports fans get the short end of the stick. They are overcharged and underappreciated. I have always been on the side of the fans, more than the owners and players. All they can expect is for ticket prices to increase and fewer games to be shown on conventional TV. The players and owners are making millions of dollars off the backs of ordinary Joes. It's the fans who make the game, but fewer and fewer ordinary Joes can even afford to go to the games. Now they are even being deprived of watching them on television.

Once in while, s player will mention how great the fans are. At the end of the season there is a fan appreciation day and someone will win a car provided by an advertiser. These are just crumbs. Fans deserve more. At the very least, they should be able to watch every games on television. I don't think that's asking too much.

- Joanne

Sunday, August 10, 2025

230 Reasons Why I Love Canada

On July 1st, Canada celebrated its 158th birthday. As a tribute to the country I love, I have made a list of 230 special people, places and thigs associated with Canada. I want to make it clear that my list is highly subjective. It is impossible to please everyone. My choices were limited to 230, so I expect to be criticized for what I have left out. Of course, readers will have issues with some of my selections, especially some of the people I have chosen. However, the Canadians on this list are not perfect. Some have feet of clay. I did not choose them because of their perfection. I did not choose them because I approve of everything they did or said. I chose them because of their talents, their contributions to humanity and to arts and sciences, sports and entertainment. They are nation builders. In many ways, they define this country. They are quintessentially Canadian.

1, The vastness and natural beauty of this country. Canada's motto: A mari usque ad mare " From sea to sea."

2. The foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Alberta

3. Lighthouses

4. Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

5, Hockey and all the great Canadian hockey players

6. Indigenous peoples of Canada

7. Maple trees, maple syrup and the maple syrup festival in Elmira, Ontario

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, Elmira Ontario

8. Octoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario

9. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and the Shaw Festival

10. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

11. Frederick Banting and Charles Best, the discovery of insulin

Frederick Banting

Charles Best

12, Terry Fox, athlete, humanitarian, cancer research advocate

13. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

14. The Chateau Frontenac and historic Old Qucbec (Vieux Québec), UNESCO World Heritage Site in Quebec City

15. The St. Lawrence River and the St. Lawrence Seaway, laker at the seaway at Montreal

16. The red soil of Prince Edward Island and P.E.I. potatoes

17. Atlantic Canada seafood

18. Lucy Maud Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables and Green Gables Heritage Place, L.M. Montgomery's National Historic Site in Prince Edward Island National Park, Cavendish

19. Stratford Festival, Stratford Ontario

20, The CN Tower, Toronto Ontario

21. The St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, Ontario

22. The Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario

23. Parks, national and provincial, especially Gross Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Jasper National Park, Alberta

Gross Morne National Park, Newfoundland

Jasper National Park, Alberta

Wildlife in Jasper National Park

24. Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the TIFF Lighthouse

25. Ed and Anne Mirvish and the Mirvish theatre district, Toronto, Ontario

Toronto's Entertainment Dictrict (King St. West)

Toronto's Entertainment District at night

26. Inuit art

27. Signal Hill and Cabot Tower, St. John's Newfoundland

28. L'Anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland - Viking Settlement

29. Cathedral Grove, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

30. The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario

31. Kensington Market, Toronto, Ontario

32. Mount Royal Park, Montreal, Quebec

33. Canada's democratic institutions and parliamentary system of government. Parliament Hill and the Parliament Buildings and Peace Tower in Ottawa, Ontario

34. Byward Market, Ottawa, Ontario

35. The Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Grey Cup

36. The Canadian Human Rights Museum, Winnipeg, Manitoba

37. The Red River, Winnipeg, Manitoba

38. Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

39. Fortress of Louisbourg, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

40. Niagara Falls, Ontario

41. The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, St. Mary's Ontario

42, Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto, Ontario

43. Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, basilica, Quebec

44. Montmorency Falls, Quebec

45. The Niagara Parkway and Queenston Heights, Ontario

Niagara Parkway

Queenston Heights

46. Pier 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia, immigration museum

47. The Tragically Hip and Gord Downie (rock band)

48. Gordon Lightfoot, singer-songwriter, musician

49. Shania Twain, singer

50. The Guess Who (rock band)

51. Bay of Fundy and Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

52. Banff and Banff National Park, Alberta, including Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Columbia Icefield

Banff National Park

Lake Louise

Moraine Lake

Columbia Icefield

53. The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) or the Es and Princes' Gates, Toronto, Ontario

Princes' Gates - arch at entrance to CNE

54.. The prairie wheat fields of Saskatchewan

55. Fans of the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders

56. Canadian Music Hall of Fame, National Music Centre, Calgary Alberta

57. Multiculturalism and diversity, immigrants

58. Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and Bluenose II

59. Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), Toronto

60. Toronto Islands

61. Halifax waterfront, Nova Scotia

62. SkyTrain, Vancouver, British Columbia

63. The Maple Leaf flag, the official flag of Canada since February 15, 1965

64. Tommy Douglas, politician, premier of Saskatchewan, NDP leader, advocate of universal healthcare

65. Alexander Graham Bell, inventor, scientist, engineer

66. Emily Carr, artist

67. Acadians of Canada

68. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

69. The Fabulous Five - Nellie McClung, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Henrietta Muir Edwards and Irene Parlby

Nellie McClung

Emily Murphy

Irene Parlby

Henrietta Muir Edwards

70. Viola Desmond, Civil and women's rights activist businesswoman, challenged racial segregation at movie theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia by refusing to leave a white's only area of the cinema.

71. Bonhomme and the Quebec Winter Carnival in Quebec City

72. Newfoundland comedians - Rick Mercer, Mark Critch, Mary Walsh etc.

Rick Mercer

Mary Walsh

73. Summer McIntosh, swimmer, Olympic medalist

74. Tom Longboat, long-distance runner

75. Oscar Peterson, jazz pianist

76. Anne Murray, singer

77. Joey Smallwood, brought Newfoundland into Confederation in 1949, first premier of the province, now officially known and Newfoundland and Labrador

78. Stanley Park and Lion's Gate Bridge, Vancouver, British Columbia

79. Leonard Cohen, singer, songwriter

80. Sandy Hawley, champion jockey

81. Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

82. Spinnakers' Landing, Summerside, Prince Edward Island

83. The Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta

84. National Film Board of Canada and animator Norman McLaren

Norman McLaren

85. Canada Health Act

86. Christine Sinclair, soccer star

87. National Anthem - O Canada and Callixa Lavallée, composer of the music for O Canada

Callixa Lavallée

88. Ned Hanlan, rower

89. Foster Hewitt, hockey broadcaster

90. Hayley Wickenheiser, hockey

91. Thomas D'Arcy McGee, politician, journalist, Father of Confederation

92. Norval Morrisseau, Indigenous artist

93. John Peters Humphrey, author of the original draft of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

94. Gastown, area of Vancouver, British Columbia

95. The Eastern Townships, Quebec

96. Agawa Canyon, Ontario

97. Manitoulin Island, Ontario

98. Klondike National Historic Site - Whitehorse, Yukon

99. Lester B. Pearson, 14th prime minister of Canada, winner of the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize

100. The Group of Seven and Tom Thomson and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinberg, Ontario

Franklin Carmichael

Arthur Lismer

Francis "Franz" Johnston

Lauren Harris

A.Y. Jackson

J.E.H. MacDonald

Frederick Varley

Tom Thomson

101. James Naismith and the invention of basketball

102. David Suzuki, academic, science broadcaster, environmental activist

103 Rick Hansen, "Man in Motion," Paralympic track and field athlete, activist and philanthropist for the disabled

104. Marshall McLuhan, professor, philosopher, author, media theory

105. Pierre Berton, historian, writer, journalist, broadcaster

106. E. Pauline Johnson, poet

107. Norman Bethune, surgeon who served in the Spanish Civil War

108. Marc Garneau, astronaut and politician

109. Chris Hadfield, astronaut

110. Canadaarm

111. Gordon Pinsent, actor

112. (Johnny) Wayne and (Frank) Shuster, entertainers, comedians

113. Margaret Atwood, author

114. Pierre Trudeau. 15th prime minister of Canada, patriated the Canadian constitution and established the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

115. Toronto City Hall, Nathan Phillips Square and Toronto mayor Nathan Phillips

Nathan Phillips

116. Fathers of Confederation

Sir John A. Macdonald, first prime minister of Canada, and Sir George-Étienne Cartier-Étienne Cartier, statesmen, Fathers of Confederation

Sir John A. Macdonald

117. Donald Sutherland, actor

118. Christopher Plummer, actor

119. Stephen Leacock, writer, humorist

120. Morley Callaghan, writer

121. Robson Street, Vancouver, British Columbia

122. Butter tarts

123. Mary Pickford, silent film actor

123. Marguerite Bourgeoys, religious sister in the colony ofNew France, founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal

124. Joni Mitchell, singer-songwriter

125. Celine Dion, singer

126. Bryan Adams, singer-songwriter, musician

127. Alice Munro, writer, won Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013

128. Mordecai Richler, author

129. W.P. Kinsella, novelist and short story writer

130. E.J. Pratt, poet

131, Lincoln Alexander, lawyer, politician, first Black member of Parliament in the House of Commons, Lieutenant Govenor of Ontario (1985-1991)

132. Chief Dan George

133. Maureen Forrester, opera singer

134. April Wine, rock band

135. Triumph, rock group

136. Michael Ondaatje, writer

137. Jean Drapeau, Montreal mayor

138. Science North in Sudbury, Ontario

139. David Foster, musician, composer, arranger

140. Lampshades of Avenue Cartier in Quebec City

141. Joseph E. Atkinson, newspaper editor, publisher., philanthropist. Owner of the Toronto Star.

142. Al Waxman, actor

143. Ken Taylor, diplomat, educator and businessman, known for his role in the "Canadian Caper" during the 1979 hostage crisis in Iran

144. Canadian universities, especially McGill University in Montreal, the University of Toronto and Laval University in Quebec City

McGill University, Montreal, Quebec

University of Toronto

Laval University, Quebec City

145. John Diefenbaker, 13th prime minister of Canada. His government secured the passage of the Canadian Bill of Rights, granted the vote to First Nation and Inuit people and opposed apartheid in South Africa. In 1962, the Diefenbaker government eliminated racial discrimination in immigration policy

146. Laura Secord, lived in Niagara region of Upper Canada, warned British forces of American attack during War of 1812

147. Norman Jewison, filmmaker

148, Lorne Greene, CBC broadcaster during World War II, known as "The Voice of Doom," actor

149. High Park, Toronto, Ontario

150. Donovan Bailey, sprinter, Olympic gold mealist

151. Wilder Penfield, neurosurgeon

152. Joseph-Armand Bombardier, inventor, businessman

153. Okanagan Valley and Okanagan Lake, British Columbia

154. Stompin; Tom Connors, singer-songwriter

155. Whale watching

156. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, seventh prime minister of Canada, first French speaking Canadian PM

157. Louis Riel, founder of Manitoba, Métis leader

158. Jean Charest, lawyer, politician, premier of Quebec from 2003 to 2012

159. Farley Mowat, writer and environmentalist

160. Rita MacNeil, singer

161. Michael "Pinball" Clemons, CFL player, executive

162. Jean Chrétien, 20th prime minister of Canada

163, Magnetic Hill, Moncton, New Brunswick

164. Stephen Lewis, public speaker, politician, broadcaster, diplomat

165. The Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, British Columbia

166. Mona Parsons, Canadian actor, nurse and resistance fighter in the Netherlands during World War II

167. Trans-Canada Highway

168. Sarah McLachman, singer, musician

169. William Lyon Mackenzie King, 10th prime minister of Canada

170, Rush, rock band

171. W.O. Mitchell, author

172. Ginette Reno, singer

173. Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Ontario

174. Northrop Frye, literary critic, literary theoroist

175. Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, Ontario, concert hall

76, Rideau Hall, Ottawa, Ontario, Governor General's Residence

177. Thérèse Casgrain, feminist, activist, politician

178. Robert Stanfield, politician, premier of Nova Scotia from 1956 to 1967, leader of Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1967 to 1976. As premier, he introduced hospital insurance in Nova Scotia, advocated for the rights of Black Nova Scotians greatly increased funding for education.

179. Canadian Arctic

180. Roberta Bondar, astronaut

181. Louise Arbour, lawyer, prosecutor, former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, former United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights

182. Grey Owl (Archibald Belaney), writer, conservationist

183. Barbara Frum, journalist

184. Ellen Fairclough, first woman to serve in a Canadian cabinet, John Diefenbaker government, advocated women's rights including equal pay for equal work

185. Robert W. Service ("The Poet of the Yukon")

186. Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver, British Columbia

87. The Snowbirds (military aerobatics flight demonstration team of the Royal Canadian Air Force)

188, Agnes Macphail, first woman elected to the Canadian House of Commons, social reformer

189. Expo '67, Montreal, Quebec

190. The Queen's Plate/King's Plate, Canada's oldest thoroughbred horse race, first run in 1860. It is the oldest continuously run race in North America. Takes place at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto.

191. Roger Ducet, singer

192. Gabrielle Roy, author

193. Bilingualism

194. Environmental initiatives

Ozone layer

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. International treaty agreed upon September 16, 1987 to phase out substances responsible for ozone depletion. Entered into force January 1, 1989. Revisions and adjustments agreed to in 1990 (London), 1992 (Copehagen), 1995 9Vienna, 1999 (Montreal), 1999 (Beijing), 2007 (Montreal), 2016 (Kigali), 2018 (Quito). As a result, the ozone hole over Antarctica is slowly recovering.

The first climate change conference held in Toronto on June 27-30,1988 and chaired by Stephen Lewis. It was called the Toronto Conference on the Changing Atmosphere: Implications for Global Security..

195. Roméo Dallaire, poltician and military officer, commander of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Uganda

196. Margaret Laurence, author

197. Nunavut, Inuit self-government, flag

The flag of Nunavut was officially adopted on April 1, 1999. The colors blue and gold symbolize the riches of the land, sea and sky. Red is a reference to Canada. The Inuksuk symbolizes stone monuments which guide people on the land, and also marks sacred and other special places. The star is the Niqirtsuituq (North Star), and the traditional guide for navigation. The North Star is also symbolic of the leadership of the elders in the community. The Flag of Nunavut was designed by Andrew Karpik from Pangnirtung.