Eric Heath – February 21, 2025
Some of you, if you are old enough, will be familiar with the following words – words that were originally popularized almost exactly a quarter century ago, and have had a resurgence in the past few weeks:
Hey. I’m not a lumberjack, or a fur trader. And I don’t live in an igloo, or eat blubber, or own a dogsled. And I don’t know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I’m certain they’re really, really nice.
I have a Prime Minister, not a President. I speak English and French, NOT American. and I pronounce it “about”, not “aboot”.
I can proudly sew my country’s flag on my backpack. I believe in peacekeeping, not policing. Diversity, not assimilation. And that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal. A toque is a hat, a Chesterfield is a couch, and it is pronounced Zed – not Zee, Zed. Canada is the second largest land mass, the first nation of hockey, and the best part of North America. My name is Joe, And I AM CANADIAN! Thank you.
Yes, indeed, the famous “I am Canadian” beer commercial is once again circulating online. Canadian patriotic sentiments are on the rise, in response to certain comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who, in a series of uncharacteristic moments of lowered discretion, has threatened both crippling tariffs and total annexation of the neighboUring sovereign nation to his north.
A recent poll showed that between December and February, national pride among Canadians rose from 58 to 67 percent (if accurate, that’s over 3.5 million newly patriotic citizens!). As a child whose initial awareness of political issues coincided with the 1995 Quebec separation referendum, it was surprising, to say the least, to see 20,000 fans loudly singing O Canada in Montreal before the Canada-U.S. hockey game last weekend. Plus ça change, as they might say.
So, from coast to coast to coast, Canadian identity is ascendant again. What is curious to me, and is perhaps an inevitability of being located next door to what has for a generation been the world’s sole superpower, is that Canadian national identity is more likely to be based on what we are not, as opposed to what we are. Whether it’s Joe Canadian correcting the pronunciation of the 26th letter of the alphabet or hockey fans booing the Star-Spangled Banner, we are prone to define ourselves in the negative – we speak English and French, not American! Maybe it’s inherent to living in such a geographically vast country, but it seems to be a challenge for Canadians to base national identity on something we hold in common, as opposed to a common foil.
The Scriptures offer us a different and higher national identity, however. Philippians 3:20 tells us that our citizenship is in heaven, and Ephesians 2:19 makes it clear that we are “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Consider this – if you are a Christian, you will spend more of your existence alongside a fellow believer who lived in 4th century Turkey than you will with the nice person who lives on your street but sees no need for Jesus in their life. Is that how you think about your national identity?
We should be thankful to God that He has seen fit to place us in this country at this time. Of course, no country is perfect, not even ours. A government composed of fallen humans trying to balance the rights and responsibilities will never do it exactly right, even with the best of intentions and the most effective execution. However, on a day to day basis, we are generally not prohibited by those in political authority to lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:2).
However, we as believers must always be aware that sovereign states, earthly kingdoms, and empires will come and go, but the heavenly kingdom is eternal. Another survey I read this week showed that 40% of respondents said that their Canadian pride would increase if our hockey team won the 4 Nations Face-off tournament. Apparently, the strength of our national identity can shift based on the result of a Connor McDavid wrist shot. It’s a good shot, but it doesn’t always go in.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the head of His church, and He is to be the basis of our primary national identity. So, while we enjoy our time in Canada, let us never grow too comfortable or anxious here, as we know that we will one day be repatriated to our eternal home and native land.