Canada isn’t broken. It’s worth fighting for

Sure, Canada has its problems but giving up isn’t the answer

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“Canada is broken. Canada is a fiction. Canada is a socialist wasteland.”

Enough. I’m sick and tired of hearing from the negative nellies who want to tear this country down and turn it into something smaller than it is.

You can argue the numbers if you like, but for my money, Canada remains one of the best countries in the world to live in—assuming, of course, you’re OK with the cold. Some of those lucky enough to be born here may take it for granted, but the many people who flee here from hardship around the world know better.

We have what most countries only dream of: a civil society, over 150 years without armed internal conflict, a stable parliamentary system, plentiful natural resources, a social safety net, and natural beauty that rivals anywhere on Earth.

That’s not to say we don’t have problems. I’m no Pollyanna. Canada has slid into a prolonged malaise, worsened by nearly a decade of weak leadership under Justin Trudeau, and marked by ballooning deficits, identity politics and stalled national projects. Our health-care system is faltering, with growing wait times, emergency room closures and difficulty accessing family doctors. Pipeline projects are bogged down in regulatory quicksand—often with Quebec standing in the way—and our economic productivity is slipping behind.

Sensing our weakness, the president of the United States is openly musing about annexing the country. While likely intended as a joke, the comments underscore how fragile Canada may appear to others. And, playing into Donald Trump’s hand, Danielle Smith, the leader of Alberta, the richest province in Confederation, is tacitly encouraging a referendum on separating the landlocked province from the rest of the country. The talk reflects growing frustration in Alberta over federal energy policy, equalization and stalled resource development. Crazy.

Yes, we’re facing serious challenges. But instead of giving in to despair or division, we need a national reset, starting with a little more faith in each other and in this country. That’s what I discovered four years ago when I joined close friends on a cross-Canada bicycle tour, from British Columbia to St. John’s, N.L. It was just after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when all of us were feeling the effects of prolonged isolation.

We called ourselves ConnecTour because we weren’t just cycling—we were reconnecting with fellow Canadians, one encounter at a time. What started as a physical challenge quickly became something much deeper: a months-long, rolling kitchen party that reminded us what this country is really made of.

People were curious. Our bikes, loaded with 20 kilos of gear, made us walking—well, pedalling—conversation starters. And the response was overwhelming: strangers offered us meals, water, sunscreen, even places to stay. The generosity we encountered across the country left us humbled.

We also had plenty of classic road-trip misadventures—crashes, rain, headwinds and flat tires—but every hardship only deepened our appreciation for the people and places around us.

That journey reminded me that Canada’s strength isn’t just in its institutions or landscapes, but in its people. No, we’re not the only country with kind and decent citizens. But there’s something distinct about the Canadian spirit—resilient, modest and quietly passionate about place and community.

We’re a family. And like any family, we bicker. But our shared history, values and lived experiences bind us together more deeply than our divisions pull us apart.

There were too many remarkable people and moments to fit here, which is why I’ve written a book about the journey. It’s called Crosswinds: A cross-country bike ride that revealed why Canada is worth fighting for. It’s available now on Kindle, with a print version coming soon.

Yes, that’s a plug—but I won’t apologize. “Sorry” may be a Canadian cliché, but this is one time I’ll happily skip it.

So, what is Canada? Is the Canada-U.S. border just an “artificially drawn line,” as Trump claims?

I, for one, emphatically say no. We are our own experiment in humanity, civility and social order. And we are a great place to live. Let’s talk about the things that truly shape our nation. I invite you to start the discussion by adding a comment in the comment field below.

Doug Firby is an award-winning editorial writer with over four decades of experience working for newspapers, magazines and online publications in Ontario and western Canada. Previously, he served as Editorial Page Editor at the Calgary Herald.