Celebrating Canada Day: Reflecting on Growth and Transformation

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Group of friends toasting with wine at an outdoor dinner party, surrounded by food and warm, ambient lighting.

Being back in Canada sparked an observation of what was a new reality for me, producing ongoing questions and broadening my perspective. Having spent half my life in Italy and knowing it beyond clichés, I couldn’t help but ponder on what areas of my life had altered dramatically since moving to Toronto.

Growing up in a small town of less than a thousand people, studyingin Urbino, a medieval city on a human scale whose historic centre has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1998, and living and working for 24 years in the hard working Veneto region has been an existential journey that required constant changes and adaptations.

Living in Toronto is a complete change of environment, both on a community and societal level. A transition from a community to an urban dimension. It is not just the numerical dimension that is significant, but also the way the city is designed, the succession of migrant waves, and the variety of cultures and lifestyles.

As of the 2021 census, Toronto is a city with around 2 million 795 thousand residents; when the full metropolitan area (the GTA) is considered, the population rises to approximately seven million. This is the magnitude scale. In addition to English, at least 27 native languages are spoken in the city of Toronto.

To give a simple example, one of Italy’s most recognizable features is its cuisine. Despite regional differences, the ‘Italian way’ is how Italian cuisine relies heavily on fresh, high-quality ingredients like tomatoes, olive oil, and herbs. Canadian cuisine emphasizes the use of fresh, local ingredients as well, but this varies greatly according to geographical region and climatic conditions.

Map of Canada highlighting major cities, provinces, and surrounding areas such as the United States and Greenland.

To get an idea of how much it varies, you need to have an idea of how vast Canada is. Consider that it is crossed by six time zones with significant climatic variations. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the east, along the Arctic Ocean in the north, to the Pacific Ocean in the west. With 10 provinces, which correspond conceptually to the Italian regions, and the Northern Territories.

Winter is the longest and coldest season in the Atlantic provinces to the east (Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island), while in the plains of Ontario and Quebec, and the prairie provinces (Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan), spring begins to peek through in April. The climate is milder towards the Pacific coast of British Columbia. It is the region of Canada where it rains more than it snows, thanks to its woods and Rocky Mountains.The three territories of the Canadian North, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon, are sparsely populated due to extremely cold temperatures and are home to predominantly Dene, Métis and Inuit.

That being said, going back to the example of cuisine and considering another aspect, such as cultural influences, I think it will be easier for you to understand that they are very different. Italian food has been influenced by the simplicity of peasant life, with an emphasis on freshness and seasonality of vegetables. Known as atypical example of the Mediterranean diet, it was designated as an intangible human asset by UNESCO in 2010.

Canadian cuisine, on the other hand, showcases its multicultural richness. Canadian cuisine is primarily inspired by the First Nations, who inhabited Canada before colonization, as well as the diverse and rich tapestry of culinary traditions brought by peoples who have migrated to Canada throughout history due to waves of immigration. As a result, it is a blend of cultures such as English, French, Italian, Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Iranian, Jamaican, Indian, Sri Lankan, and many other diverse cultures.

Another distinction between Italian and Canadian cuisine is the way of preparation. Slow cooking, boiling, frying, and roasting are common methods used in Italian cooking to bring out the flavours of ingredients. Grilling, smoking, and barbecuing are popular in Canadian cuisine, particularly in meat and fish dishes. Both cuisines provide a unique culinary experience, but eating in Toronto is like immersing yourself in a gourmet laboratory of international cuisine, a trip around the world in one city.

This diversity, this cultural richness, the long distances, the vast natural spaces, somehow amplify the common aspects of adaptation linked to the process of migration. I’m referring to the challenges and emotions generated by saying goodbye to your loved ones as you leave a familiar reality to take a leap of faith into the unknown. I’m referring to facing the homesickness while you’re busy adapting to the new environment, language, culture, and community.

Today, July 1st, is Canada Day, the national holiday that celebrates the birth of Canada as an autonomous nation with a constitution. I remember how I felt on my first Canada Day here in 2019. We were having dinner with other people, and amidst the music and the noise of the fireworks, what people were saying in English was almost incomprehensible to me, almost like background noise. What a difference it is now that I’m sharing my experience with you in English, albeit not yet perfect, but it’s also an exciting journey of growth.

Embracing Our Identity: Inspiring Others Through Diversity

By living in Toronto I discovered the vibrant essence of Canadian culture through the lens of migration, and that the Canadian way allows diverse backgrounds intertwine, creating a unique tapestry that celebrates what has been, respects what is, and envisions what can be.

Having a dinner with my friends in Toronto may mean reconnecting with my Italian roots while also learning about new cultures from around the world. Gathered around a dinner table, we share stories from different cultures, weaving together ancestral heritage and the transformative power of migration.

The image of a vivid never-ending tapestry emerges, Canada is intricately connected, with the warping and wefting of its threads, to form a ‘network’ of diverse experiences and shared humanity with varied degrees of proximity. My heart is a perpetual interweaving of my two countries. They coexist daily. When one is real, the other is an intangible presence. This intangible presence is coloured by the sensations and emotions of the people and places I treasure. As I navigate my new world, the scents, flavours, and sounds continue to emanate from my memories. Memories of scents, flavours, and sounds intermingle, shaping a profound sense of identity. I learned to embrace both as essential components of my identity.

By embracing our own unique backgrounds and experiences, we can inspire others to do the same. In a world where finding one’s place can feel daunting, remember that accepting your own story adds depth to the ever-evolving narrative of humanity. Let the journey unfold, knowing that by embracing your true identity, you can make a positive impact and find your rightful place in the world. As Desmond Tutu wisely said, “I am who I am because of all of us” – a valued member of the human community.

Embrace your identity. Embrace your experiences. Embrace the complex diversity of our shared human tapestry.

Smiling woman in red dress sitting on a white sofa, leaning on her hand.

Nancy Perin

Nancy is a caring individual with a background in sociology and a strong desire to connect people. She has improved workplaces and communities with her almost two decades of experience in management teams, human resources, coaching, and community project management. Nancy has also served on the board of directors of the Italian Personnel Managers Association and participated in a humanitarian mission to Dakar, Senegal, to support family centres.

Her intercultural love story sparked her interest in migration-relatedtopics and led her to launch @journeysta, a project that aims to strengthen cultural ties between Canada and Italy.

Nancy oversees the Gallery of Human Migration and believes in the possibility of creating caring communities that are involved in the processes of welcoming, acceptance, and integration. Join her on this journey of discovery and cultural exchange.

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Woman smiling in a garden, sitting on a rock beside white flowers, enjoying the sunny day.