Top 10 Things I Will Miss About Canada

On July 1 we celebrate Canada Day. As I get ready to move down to the US I’ve come to realize that this is probably the last Canada Day I will celebrate as a Canadian resident for a while. As such, I thought I’d make out a list of the top 10 things I will miss about living in Canada.

10: MATERNITY LEAVE

Okay, so this is admittedly an odd place to start. Seeing as I am a man, and thereby not eligible for maternity leave, you are probably wondering why this made it on to my list. In Canada most women are able to receive a whole year off for maternity leave where they are paid 80% of their normal salary. Down in the US you are lucky to get a month off. Now please hear me when I say that the Rushtons are not expecting a baby. I can see the rumors starting to spread already! I just chose this as a good example of some of the social structures that Canada has to support families.

9: SOUTH FRASER WAY DURING THE NHL PLAYOFFS

When the Vancouver Canucks make the NHL playoffs, Abbotsford becomes a different city. People seem friendlier, united and passionate. Strangers talk to each other, people honk and wave at cars that are adorned with Canuck flags, and neighbors actually hang out together to watch games. When the Canucks manage to pull off a playoff win (which is rare), the Abbotsford police sometimes have to shut down South Fraser Way to prevent celebrations from getting out of hand.

8: REGENT COLLEGE BOOKSTORE

I have to admit that I rarely like Christian bookstores. Too often I find that these stores are full of merchandise that does not do justice to the gospel. Christianity is often reduced to a sentimental wall hanging, or turned into a cheesy slogan on a t-shirt that says something like “Got Jesus?” Somewhere along the line Jesus started to be commodified like a dairy product and sold for a quick profit. However, the bookstore at Regent College, where I did my graduate degree, is one of the few Christian bookstores that has a collection of really good books. They have a huge collection of top rate theological and spiritual writings.

7: TIM HORTONS

Tim Hortons is so much a part of Canadian culture that I suspect it might make it on to our five dollar bill at some point. I’m not kidding. The current five dollar bill has a picture of people playing hockey on a frozen pond, so this is not out of the realm of possibility. I will particularly miss the honey cruller donut and the breakfast sandwich.

6: CBC RADIO ONE

Just think of NPR without “All That Jazz” and more multicultural programming. Julie and I love listening to this great talk radio station when we’re out for a drive.

5: FRENCH / FRANCAIS

There is something about the presence of the French language in Canada that makes me feel a little bit European and therefore a little bit cooler. Of course I don’t speak any French, but by being a Canadian citizen I feel I have a right to claim it as part of my heritage. After all, I do encounter French everyday on my Cheerio box and my grapefruit pop bottle. Here’s to another glass of soude de pamplemousse!

4: MULTICULTURALISM

Multiculturalism is a significant value in Canada. When people immigrate to Canada they often hold on to their cultural traditions. In Abbotsford this makes for some great ethnic food and the ability to get fast food samosas! It also broadens my North American perspective. As I see Sikh men and women walking through town in their traditional gowns and turbans it gives me a daily reminder of the diversity of cultures and traditions in our world.

3: THE WESTMINSTER ABBEY

I live 15 minutes away from a beautiful Benedictine monastery that is perched up on a hill and overlooks the Fraser Valley. This has been a significant place for me as I often go there for spiritual retreats or for a day of prayer and solitude.

2: THE GREAT OUTDOORS

If you have ever driven into BC through the US border you have probably come across the BC tourism signs that say, “BC – The Best Place on Earth,” or “Super Natural BC Welcomes You.” While these signs show a pretension that is not typical for Canadians, I must say that they have a bit of truth to them. BC is absolutely beautiful. I will miss the amazing diversity that makes up the landscape of my upbringing – the mountains, ocean, rivers, and forest. I’m glad that I still get to live on the West Coast when we move to Washington State.

1: PROXIMITY TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Of course the biggest thing I will miss about living in Canada is my friends and family. I will miss those last minute golf rounds with Mike and Dan, impromptu visits with my parents, or a nights out with my sister and her boys. Moving five hours away will be quite an adjustment.