What It Means To Be Canadian ~ Through Hardships & Hope
First and perhaps foremost, Canada is consistently among the top ten safest countries. The list includes Iceland, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand, Germany and Norway.
A recent list in Forbes adds Japan, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, UK, Netherlands and Sweden. In fact Canada has been cited as the number one safest country in 2021, and has since fallen to number three.
Not that I have anything against the US, or any country for that matter, but notably the US is not on the list. My guess is because of the many mass shootings that occur almost daily, but of course there could be many other reasons.
In sharp contrast, a percentage of other countries are much less fortunate, even though most of their citizens are innocent victims of circumstance. Those countries include Pakistan, Sudan, Lebanon, Venezuela, Haiti, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe.
If you look at a map, most of the least safe countries are located in Africa.
The World Population Review for 2025 also has a list of the least safe countries to include Sudan, South Sudan, Congo, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Niger, Cameroon, Eritrea, Chad, Burundi, Libya, South Africa, Uganda, Lesotho, Guinea, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Egypt.
The World Population Review on the safest countries according to the Global Peace Index rates countries covering a large swath of the entire world and includes the US, Mexico, Philippines, Vietnam, China, Iran, Turkey, India, France, Italy, India, Columbia, Yemen, and many more. Some of the countries on this list are rather surprising.
Individual experiences for travellers vary quite a bit because all of the locations could be safe in the right circumstances, and even the safest country has crime, and random acts of violence.
Canada overall is a peaceful nation. Those who own guns for the most part are people in remote locations, on farms, and hunters.
However we cannot overlook the fact Canada has had fentanyl labs, has a drug crisis, and when drug dealers are busted, they often turn up an arsenal of illegal weapons. Canada may be safe, but we are by no means pure.
We do have our fair share of crime, especially in Toronto, and Vancouver, with a disturbing trend of crime in more remote locations.
I lived on Hada Gwaii, and during that time there was a blissful reprieve from crime. The only crime I knew of while there, was a murder in the ball park more than twenty years ago. It was attributed to a domestic dispute.
In recent news, there was a murder on Haida Gwaii that has sparked national attention. Apparently it was drug related, and has led to many protests, and vigilante type reactions. A number of people have been forced to leave Haida Gwaii, and their houses were demolished. Their associates have been followed, and harassed.
Knowing what it is like in a small, close knit community with many ties, relatives, and knowledge of what goes on, not to mention the adverse effects of drug dealing in a small community, one can see why it is morphing into a major battle.
Perhaps the situation on Haida Gwaii represents a microcosm of the rippling effect of illicit drugs. The father of the young man accused of murder was convicted of dealing drugs when that child was just twelve years old. The father always maintained he was providing a service, supplying those who were seeking drugs. After living on Haida Gwaii for decades, they are banished by the community, not by law enforcement, or the courts.
When have we heard of the houses of the accused, and their close associates being bulldozed before there is a trial? I don’t recall many cases of houses being destroyed as a deterrent to crime.
They have their reasons though. People cannot hide their drug dealings, or their crimes, especially murder, in a small community. Word travels fast, and more than likely the victim has many advocates.
One of the things about island living is that in general people come and go by ferry. There is an airport in Sandspit, which also requires a short ferry ride to get there. It is possible to get there by boat, but the boat has to be large enough to cross Hecate Strait, which is quite a distance.
Because of how remote it is, the people who come and go, can be monitored. Even certain politicians were not welcome on Haida Gwaii. Now, with recent political shifts, they have even more autonomy, and say over what goes on. Therefore all people who live, or visit Haida Gwaii, should respect the laws, as well as the culture of the FN people there.
The case on Haida Gwaii involved a vehicle. The victim was intentionally run over, and a person has been charged with homicide. It has become a catalyst for community action, directed at those who are dealing drugs there.
In Vancouver we now have the aftermath of one of the worst mass tragedies involving a vehicle running over multiple people, killing eleven, and injuring at least twenty more.
The event was a Filipino festival called Lapu Lapu, which is a celebration to honour a Filipino hero with a motto to “teach the strength of a united people”.
It was a day of happiness, family celebration, sharing of food, fun, and common ground. For the most part, it was a carefree and relaxed family day with multiple vendors. It ended in tragedy.
The Lapu Lapu tragedy happened April 26th, 2025 shortly after 8 pm when people were leaving, or lined up at the food trucks before they closed for the night. Even though a percentage of people had already left, it was still very busy, just winding down.
The vehicle plowed through the unsuspecting crowd near the end of the festival. The accused was driving an Audi SUV. Shockingly, it had so much front end damage from hitting the bodies of people, it looked like it had been in a head on collision with a truck.
It sickened me to realize the damage to the vehicle was from unprotected bodies, including small children flying over the hood. In addition to the deaths, grief, and critically injured, all those who were present will be traumatized for life.
Although we are very fortunate to live in Canada, we have our share of tragedy. When a group of people at a festival is impacted to such an extent, we are forced to realize that we too, live among some very troubled individuals.
The shock over such a senseless act of violence carries mixed reactions. Knowing the man had mental health issues has many speculating he will be deemed not criminally responsible. Others believe he should be charged with multiple murders, attempted murders – and locked up for life.
At one time Canada did have the death penalty. The last execution was in 1962 when two men were executed by hanging. Surprisingly, there were 710 executions in Canada between 1867 and 1962. The death penalty was abolished in 1976.
In spite of the justified outrage over heinous crimes against innocent people, I have always been opposed to the death penalty for several reasons. The main reason is that of a Christian perspective, knowing Christ will be the ultimate judge.
Another reason is that the executioners, the families, the witnessing, the descriptions of their last meals, the frantic last minute stay of executions, etc. all seem like the theatre of the macabre.
And finally, there is always the chance the convicted killer will show remorse, and true repentance.
The ultimate test of our faith is found in forgiveness. Forgiveness is not immediate, and nor is it flippant. But rather it is a deep, and soul searching recognition of Christ’s forgiveness for our own sin, along with the sins of the world.
Although we do not have 100% assurance of being kept safe, we do have salvation through Christ as believers.
The Lord’s Prayer we have so often recited, both in public and in private brings comfort, consolation, and the quest for forgiveness, which frees the victims of the burden of judgement. Mathew 6:6-14 gives us the following instructions:
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: