Today is Canada Day. I observe it because I am a Canadian citizen.
My wife and I and our two kids became Canadian citizens on 2 January 1991. Two weeks later we moved back to the States. We crossed the border just as the US was invading Kuwait, and we said to each other, “Oh no, what are we doing!”
Four years earlier we had immigrated to Canada when I took a call to a Reformed Church in America congregation in Ontario. We had immigrated instead of getting the easier R-1 visa because we expected to stay.
I can read and speak Dutch, so I assumed I’d be a good fit in that immigrant church. It turned out otherwise. Already in the first month it was, “Dominee, ve didn’t come to Canada to sing Psalmen en Gezangen!” By the fourth year it was, “Dominee, ve are praying dat you leaf our tjurtj.”
I had to choose between staying in Canada or staying in the RCA. We were already becoming Canadians, so it was with regret, and with my tail between my legs, that I accepted a call to Hoboken, New Jersey. But we did not cancel our application for citizenship.
At the hearing in Hamilton we were examined by the judge. She approved us, and we took the oath. We were in! But we had guilty feelings, and because the judge was so friendly we confessed to her that we would be moving back to the States. She surprised us when she commended us for getting our citizenship when we did, so that we could continue to be Canadians while living in the States. She had erased our guilt, and we have rested in her affirmation ever since. She also was an example of how Canada is more humane than the States in many ways.
We value our Canadian citizenship enormously, and for two or three months a year, when we’re at our cottage in Ontario, we are truly Canadian. This coming Sunday, God willing, I will be leading worship at our Anglican church, and I will pray for “Charles our King.”
Of course we are thought of as Americans. My accent (“cawfee”) betrays me. But Canadians deserve their reputation for being tolerant and polite. They outdo Americans in welcoming immigrants, and they understand living on both sides of the border.
Hold it! In that last sentence I should have written “we” instead of “they.”
When St. Paul told the Philippians that their citizenship was in heaven, he did not mean that they would have to live in heaven. To be a Roman citizen did not mean having to live in Rome, but rather to have the power and authority of Rome on your side wherever you lived. The benefit of our citizenship in heaven is for how we live on earth right now, until Our Lord comes again.
So you can understand why my daughter Anneke, who lives near us in New York, just renewed her Canadian passport. The USA is getting ever more violent and irrational, and she has two children and a husband to think of. Her passport is her insurance, that God forbid she’d have to use.
I last blogged here about Canada six months ago, and like everyone else I failed to see the future. Mark Carney became the new Prime Minister and what a difference he has made. Maybe he does not walk on water, but it’s fun to watch him in his skillful encounters with President Trump. He’s been called the “Trump-whisperer.” His recent leadership on the world stage at both G7 in Alberta and NATO in The Hague makes me proud to be Canadian.
Canada is the North American democracy that still honours the rule of law. It understands public goods and shared wealth (“common-wealth”). It holds to human rights and to the protection of minorities and social institutions. Of course it has the problems of inequity, injustice, exploitation, unaffordable housing, and environmental degradation that come with neoliberal capitalism. But it is so less violent, and its government is not cruel.
During my Calvin College days I wanted to move to Canada to be part of the Kuyperian project. The dream was to recreate in Canada the Reformed Christian culture that was dissolving in The Netherlands, including a political party and a labour union. That was then. Now I just like to be in Canada for what Canada already is.
I love the Northern landscape. I like the general lack of aggression. I am not impressed by the beer. But most of all, I am grateful that Canada, unlike the United States, does not ask me to “believe” in itself. I prefer to confine my belief to the Apostles and Nicene Creeds.
14 Responses
Anytime you and your family decide to come back to live in Canada, Dan, we understand. We would welcome you. 🙂
Happy Canada Day!
Hugh, I think that Melody shared an office with you, or near you, at Redeemertje. Is that right?
Yes! That was some years ago, but yes.
Lovely thoughts, Daniel. And I laughed: Dominee, ve are praying dat you leaf our tjurtj.
I’ve lived and ministered in Ontario for over 37 years now and been a dual US-Canadian citizen for 25. After 9/11, one of my sons, a student at Calvin College at the time, considered joining the US military as were some of his peers. Upon learning he would be required to renounce his Canadian citizenship, he demurred. His reason? He told me he couldn’t bring himself to turn his back on the country that had provided two bone marrow transplants and a total of 34 weeks of hospitalization to his mother in her struggle with multiple myeloma. My biggest personal expense, financially, was the cost of hospital parking and coffees at Tim Hortons. And his mother was still technically only an immigrant at the time.
The Hebrew scripture reading in morning prayer lectionary this week (brought to me by the PCUSA) has been from the book of Samuel – his childhood in the temple, his life as a prophet and seer in Israel, and his words to God’s people of Israel in response to their clamor for a king and the anointing of Saul. This morning’s story was of Saul’s battle with the Ammonites. There was violence and gore and victory was won. The people rejoiced.
I thought of this as I walked to work contemplating your post and in the additional light of recent conversations with immediate family members, other relatives, and dear, dear friends, all of whom enjoy the privilege of Canadian citizenship.
In truth, this hurts. There are so many US citizens (and dual Canadian citizens) horrified by current events in “The States” who cannot, or choose not to enjoy participating directly in the Canadian civic life. It is – without a doubt – a more just society.
And yet, I realize that when things are going well for us in our civic life, we humans tend to think we had something to do with it, and when things go poorly, we wonder what we could possibly do and why we don’t have more control. The most meaningful paragraph for me this morning was the one about St. Paul telling the Philippians about citizenship in heaven.
Canadians here may rightfully have their day and with good reason. Happy Canada Day.
I wonder what the post this Friday will bring…
This is such a marvelous comment, and I am humbled. By its complexity, humility, strength, and vulnerability. My only response is, Yes, all this.
Advice to Canadians: Do not ever hope or pray for economic or military superiority. Just look what that did for your southern neighbors. Nor only do they ( the EARLY immigrants, that is) think they are “great.” They are entitled to more yet! Is greatness a blessing or a curse?
Thanks for bringing up fond memories of our 10 week summer seminary assignment in Winnipeg, Manitoba, now over a half century ago. We felt very respected by the people and Curt recalls men tipping their hats to him. We enjoyed some of the Pam Am games, cared for a First Nations baby for a church family for a few weeks while they were out of the area. We also learned to drink very strong coffee from fancy china cups, drizzle vinegar on fries, and became acquainted with very long wedding receptions. Six of the ten Sundays my husband led worship for three services. It was busy but memorable.
But fun wedding receptions with an uncle reading a long speech in rhyme, and games and skits and songs.
I was in CRC ministry, 22 of my 35 years in Canada. We thought we better get our citizenship. We applied, but moved to California before it all finalized. Still, we persisted and received our citizenship in 2016. Happy Canada Day! We have often said that it’s our escape clause should things go any more bonkers here. Now we live miles from the border and regularly head to BC to visit.
Love this, and I love that Canada is such a special place for your family. I smile whenever I think of you there.
Daniel, thank you for sending me this article. I remember the first time we met – you were sitting on the stoop of the brownstone in Park Slope where you lived and where I had also just become a tenant. When you discovered I was Newfoundland, I was immediately welcomed. You, Melody, and I had many great dinners and conversations. Your visit to Eastport brought back so many memories. I love your love of “The Ode” and your love of Canada. You are Canadian! Kathy
We love thee, we love thee, we love thee smiling / windswept / frozen land.