Hassan Phills applauds Canada's flaws: ‘I love that we're a curious country, that can laugh at itself…even if we don't always get it right'

Yahoo

25-06-2025

Yahoo News Canada presents 'My Canada," a series spotlighting Canadians — born-and-raised to brand new — sharing their views on the Canadian dream, national identity, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with life inside and outside these borders.
This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Hassan Phills about what his Canadian heritage means to him, especially as a stand-up comedian.
Over the past decade in comedy, I've used the stage to reflect who I am—from my roots in Scarborough, Ontario to my identity as a Somali-Jamaican Canadian. Comedy, much like basketball before it, has taken me across the country and increasingly across the world. And wherever I go, one thing becomes clear: my Canadian identity travels with me.
Sometimes that Canadian identity, especially in the U.S. is looked at as less than, or that you're a tier below, but truthfully it's an example that we were able to carve out a big enough voice in our own country that we could travel abroad to continue to grow upon our success. It shows the hunger that many Canadian performers have, those who uproot themselves to leave their country, one ripe with compassion, care and a quality of living to continue to take a chance in foreign lands.
In Canada, there is a unique kind of generosity that's hard to describe unless you've experienced it. People have opened their homes, their wallets, and their hearts to support my journey. Whether it's friends volunteering at shows to check tickets or strangers promoting my work online, that community-first mentality has shaped my experience as an artist.
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I've seen it in every corner of the country—in North Vancouver, where a family once took me in during my college basketball days, to the packed venues in Ottawa, where East Africans, Muslims, and other minority communities regularly come out in full force to support. And support isn't just to watch the show, they come with gifts, food and flowers to visually showcase the love and care they have.
There's a reason I take that pride with me when I perform abroad—in London, New York, Houston, Minneapolis, Los Angeles. I let audiences know where I'm from. I represent Toronto. I represent Scarborough. My neighbourhood gave me my edge. It taught me timing, wit, and how to read a room fast. I carry that everywhere I go.
In my act, I often poke fun at how Canadians, when inside the country and of immigrant backgrounds, will say they're from 'X' country—but the second they leave Canada and are on vacation or visiting family, then with their chest, they will proudly say they're Canadian.
Our country's reputation travels and there's real affection for this place, for our cities, for our cultural output. And we've earned it—from comedy legends like Russell Peters and Norm Macdonald, to music giants like Drake and Justin Bieber. Simply put, no shortage of Canadian talent that has had a global impact in all lanes of entertainment. Being part of that lineage is a goal, but also a responsibility.
As a Black Muslim comedian beginning to break internationally, being Canadian means navigating the world with a mix of humility, resilience, and a deep understanding of nuance. Canada gave me the space to develop my voice—often in rooms filled with first-time comedy goers, people who came just to support someone from their community. That's where I learned to connect. That's where I found my perspective.
The growing tensions between Canada and the U.S. over the past several years—on trade, race, and politics—have made me reflect more on identity and leadership. It's made me more conscious of how much Canadians pride ourselves on being 'different' from Americans, but also more aware that we're not above the same struggles. The comparison pushed me to look inward at our systems, not just outward. As a comedian, it sharpened my material. As a Canadian, it challenged my assumptions.
Being Black in Canada has often meant carving out space, but I've also seen people try to make room. That effort matters. I love that we're a curious country, that can laugh at itself, and that believes in community, even if we don't always get it right.
That's the version of Canada I know. That's the version I take with me—onstage and off.