An Open Letter to Canadians Everywhere

My fellow Canadians,

I’m writing this because I can’t sit on the sidelines any longer. I love this country — its people, its beauty, its potential — but I’m worried about where we’re headed.

Like many of you, I’ve spent my life working hard, caring for my family, paying my taxes, and minding my own business. I’ve believed that if I did my part, our leaders would do theirs. But somewhere along the way, that deal broke down. Despite all our effort, the country feels like it’s slipping behind — economically, internationally, and even in spirit.

It was a shock to hear Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, tell us to brace for a lower standard of living. That hit home. It made me realize: these aren’t just “Canada’s problems.” They’re mine. They’re yours. They belong to all of us.

My kids — like so many young Canadians — ask me what we can do. Should they look for opportunity elsewhere just to afford a home or a career? I can’t keep telling them to “wait and see.” Dropping a ballot in a box every four years isn’t enough anymore.

I’ve read the 2025 federal budget. It’s not all bad — in fact, there are some solid ideas in there. But if you’re skeptical, you’re not wrong. We’ve seen this movie before: big promises, massive spending, and disappointing results. Canada’s challenge isn’t vision — it’s execution. And unless we start demanding transparency, accountability, and competence, this record debt will be a bill passed to our children’s grandchildren.

As a first-generation Canadian who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, I remember feeling proud of this country. We had standards, a clear identity, and a sense of purpose. From peacekeeping to prudence, from wilderness to world-class civility, we were respected and confident. Somewhere along the line, that confidence eroded.

So I’ve decided to take a small step — to start a conversation. This website, 2025CanadianBudget.ca, is a place to share what’s in the budget and to raise the questions too many of us have been asking quietly. Questions about results, accountability, and what kind of country we want to hand to the next generation.

And to those watching politics closely: yes, it’s troubling when political maneuvering — like recruiting opposition MPs to tilt the balance of power — threatens open debate. Democracy only works if all sides are heard.

I love this country like I love my own mother. But love sometimes means speaking up. If things keep heading the wrong way, many of us will start looking for backup plans — not because we want to leave, but because we want to believe again.

So maybe it’s time we say it, in the most Canadian way possible:

“Hold on, eh? Let’s talk before we go any further.”

If you feel the same, join me. Let’s ask better questions, demand better answers, and help this country rise again — together.

Signed,

An average Canadian who’s had enough.