As I reflect on the past year in Canada, and consider our heart that is beating as strong as ever, I wrote this poem on March 4, 2026. Our heart of gold even if its colour is really red – our Canadian maple leaf; our strength and our pride; our values, diversity and caring; and our grit and determination. My Canadian heart beats strong and free.
We’re Canadians and O Canada is our national song
From the true north, we’re steadfast and strong
Our heart beats red and white with national pride
Never mistake our politeness for our elbows up wide
The Canadian heart with our arms intertwined
Means we’re fierce and mighty, and together bind
We’re a middle power who always brings their best
We let our actions talk with our heart beating in our chest
We’re not always in first nor do we always win the race
Yet there is no one else out there you’d rather embrace
Our effort and grit means we stand, fight and never fold
No matter the medal, our values will be forever bold
Our tickers are ticking and we’ll always grow and thrive
No one from beyond our borders will take us alive
One can threaten and try to use their might as force
But we’ve shown it many times; we’ll not be thrown off course
We’re building strong as we improve our beat and pace
With our diversity and allies, we’ll never be second place
Our strength is our people from east, west to the arctic north
We always answer when the call does come forth
We’re Canadian and we’re always good as gold
Innovative and caring, we’re striving to a new threshold
Our heart may miss a beat as we live and learn
But if one takes us on, they’ll have more than a little heartburn
Our heart is beating and our flag flies forever overhead
Be as natives or immigrants, this land is our national homestead
We’ve a quiet pride in our country which is good as gold
We’ll never tire or break, and for certain, will never be bought or sold
Today and tomorrow, we stand as a nation both sovereign and free
The maple leaf is on our chest from sea to shining sea
The colour of our Canadian heart of gold is really red
It comes from our maple syrup; at least that’s what our history said