I’ve heard this expression frequently, during the pandemic. It isn’t as simple as it first appears to be.

I thought a reflection about our country this July is timely.

Turtle Island is an Indigenous reference to all of North America. This transcends western political boundaries.

Most Indigenous people use the expression ‘Indigenous people in Canada” vs. ‘Indigenous people of Canada.’ This does more than simply state where they are living. They are saying they don’t belong to Canada, with emphasis on ‘to.’

I take pride and gratitude that we have a national health system. Yet, we are being encouraged to buy insurance for interprovincial travel as not all provincial plans cover the same things. Emergency flights for out-of-province visitors aren’t always covered and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Professionals such as lawyers and doctors cannot practice in any province, other than the province they are first licenced in – without applying and writing a new set of exams. In practical terms, physicians and nurses can only practice in their own province.

I’m in a Canadian wine club, bringing me wines from around the world, each province taxing wine at a different rate. The price of a bottle of this wine is double in the most expensive province vs. the least costly.

I’ve read the research that shows that food prices are often highest in grocery stores located in low-income neighbourhoods. Those folks have fewer options to buy, limited by transportation options.

I heard on the news of a couple that spent two hours travelling to get their covid vaccination. I went to my city neighbourhood pharmacy. It took about 45 minutes door-to-door, round trip.

I know of many people who were at unavoidable high risk of catching the virus. I was fortunate to be in a position to choose to avoid high-risk situations. Yet, I was eligible for my vaccine well before them.

And on it goes.

I reflect on the workings of my country, Canada, at this time of the year. I am grateful. But I know not everyone is as fortunate as I am. We are all in this together – but we are in very different boats.

Please gives this a bit of a think. Consider a couple of ways you have advantages many Canadians don’t have due to factors you don’t control. And consider a couple of ways others are at a disadvantage, through no fault of their own.

I’m curious about your thoughts. Please leave your comment.

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TheBlog@stalbertseniors.ca