It’s that time of the year again.
The dollar stores are stocked full of anything red and white, from candy to funny hats and T-shirts.
Half the city is planning to sharpen their elbows and cram into Steveston for the Salmon Festival/Richmond Canada Day celebration, while the other half is “takin’ off, eh.”
The maple leaf flags are being dusted down from the garage and coolers are being wheeled out for the street parties.
And, with equal measure of familiarity and regularity, the office immigrant (me) is tasked to pen a column about what it means to be Canadian or live in Canada.
It reminds me of my second Canada Day — after emigrating from the UK in 2007 — when my Canadian neighbours phoned me to ask “What we doin’ for Canada Day, Alan?”
You’ll notice I said “live in Canada” a moment ago, ‘cause I ain’t really one of you guys; not officially, anyway.
I’ve been happy toddling along as a UK citizen and permanent resident (PR) of Canada for the last 11 years. Until now.
As bad luck would have it, my family’s UK passports and Canadian PR cards all expired earlier this year.
Aside from the renewal costs, I found it incredible (more choice words were expressed at the time) that it took three times as long to renew the PR cards than the UK passports.
The UK passport application was sent to England, while the PR card process was dealt with in Nova Scotia.
Without boring you with the details, the excruciating experience was enough to reconsider our PR status in Canada.
And don’t get me started on the attitude at the U.S. Border, when I apparently had the audacity last week to cross for some gas and groceries for the first time in two years.
“Why today?” I was asked by the sullen officer, as she squinted disdainfully at the UK document.
“Ehhh, why not?” I replied, trying desperately to avoid giving the smartarse answer we deeply desire to provide.
As I drove into Blaine, vehemently questioning the pros of cross-border shopping, I also queried whether those of a Canadian disposition got the same third degree?
All said and done, these recent experiences as a PR have motivated myself and my wife to upgrade to first-class citizens.
We’ve held back for a few years, as I suspect, my wife and son would like to move back to Scotland some day.
But if there’s one thing that keeps me here, it’s the weather.
Yes, I know what you’re thinking. But the rain here doesn’t last for 10 months and isn’t parallel to the ground.
Weather is a huge factor. It makes people smile, improves their mood and health. You can actually plan stuff; have a barbecue or picnic, play outdoor sports all year.
There’s a reason UK soap operas revolve around a pub; you don’t see too many Coronation Street barbecues, do you?
Suffice to say, I’m pretty happy living in Canada and, whether you were born here or came from a crappy climate, you should be, too.
