28/08/2026
As a Canadian living in the UK, I’ve found myself thinking about Canada a lot lately — and feeling, from afar, the weight of what my fellow Canadians are experiencing as our country navigates this trade war.
It has reminded me of something that runs much deeper than politics or economics: what it means to be Canadian, and what it is we are protecting.
A few summers ago, we set off on an unforgettable canoeing, camping and portaging trip through Algonquin Provincial Park. Established as a provincial park in 1893, Algonquin encompasses roughly 7,600 square kilometres of breathtaking wilderness, dotted with more than 2,400 lakes!
It wasn’t always easy. We paddled and portaged our way through Rock Lake, Penn Lake and Galeairy — carrying our gear, navigating the waterways and embracing the slower rhythm of life that comes when you are completely off-grid. 🍃
A jump in the lake was our morning shower.
We delighted in the gentle sounds of water beneath our canoe and the beautiful call of loons echoing across the seemingly endless lake, as we watched the sun set. I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of peace, gratitude and wonder.
This is Canada.
Not just a country on a map, but a place of immense natural beauty, vast wilderness, resilience, strength and deep history. A place that can make you feel very small — and incredibly proud — at the same time.
And there is something particularly meaningful about remembering that even the name Ontario carries a history that predates both Canada and the United States. The name has Indigenous roots and is generally traced to the Wendat language, from Ontarí’io, commonly interpreted as ‘great lake’ or ‘beautiful lake.’
Watching Canada stand its ground in the face of economic pressure has made me think about what it means to be Canadian today — to value our independence, our natural heritage, our communities and our place in the world.
Proud to be Canadian. 🇨🇦🍁
Thank you Algonquin Outfitters for the incredible experience!
