We asked 7 celebrities what being Canadian means to them — here's what they said

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3 days ago

Yahoo Canada asked our favourite celebrities to help us celebrate Canada Day. (Images via/Canva)
Oh, Canada! Between keeping our elbows up, trying to make ends meet during a trade war and navigating a federal election, it's been a difficult year for many — and we're only halfway through 2025. But amidst the growing political tensions and the talk of annexation, there's been an undeniable resurgence of Canadian pride; the collective love for our country and our autonomy has bridged the gap between political parties. Although there's no denying that Canada still has its issues, the country also deserves celebrating.
As part of our My Canada series, we spoke to Canadian celebrities, public figures, athletes and more about what it means to be Canadian for a special edition of Unapologetically. Scroll down to see what celebrities, athletes and changemakers say being Canadian means to them.
Dina Pugliese is staying true to her roots
Image via Yahoo Canada
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.
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Best known for: Host of Breakfast Television
"Canada is my birthplace. It's my family, my friends, my career. It's my heart," the daytime television host told Yahoo Canada. "It's a whole bunch of people coming together in this beautiful cultural mosaic, learning together, growing together."
Pugliese is quick to note that "there's been hurt" and "pain" for many Canadians. "But there's also healing," she said. "And there's beauty!"
Pugliese is a first-generation Canadian who was raised to be proud of her Italian heritage.
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"To be Canadian is really about my roots. It's the family tree, it's, it's our roots," she said. "And then all of these beautiful trees come together in this beautiful Canadian forest, and here we are, hopefully flourishing together."
Unfiltered conversations with the names you know: Unapologetically is a Yahoo Life series in which people get the chance to share how they live their best life — out loud and in colour. Every week, check back for a new feature.
Mark McMorris is proud of his prairie upbringing
Image viaHometown: Regina, Sask.
Best known for: Professional snowboarder, three-time Olympic medalist and 24-time Winter X Game medalist
"I love being able to travel around the world and say I'm Canadian," McMorris said in an interview with Yahoo Canada. "It's the best thing ever. We are such a great nation..."
Although he can "vividly remember" having Canadian pride as a kid, "everything really changed" after he won his first Olympic medal in 2024. That's when the athlete could fully appreciate the immense privilege of representing his country.
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"Those are really special things, and a huge honour," he said. "I'm proud to be a Canadian and proud to be setting an example for younger Canadians. It's a cool role to play."
McMorris said his success was partly fuelled by his "determination" to prove to people that the flatlands of Saskatchewan can produce one of the world's most talented snowboarders.
"Being from the Prairies has made me who I am and it's made me have a ton of grit... .," he said'. "And that has given me a lot of extra motivation to make it happen. I am super proud of where I come from and the people who hail from Saskatchewan. I feel like most people there, just the way we grow up, makes you humble and I'm thankful to come from a place like that."
Tracy Moore recognizes the good in Canadians
Image viaHometown: Richmond Hill, Ont.
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Best known for: Cityline and Breakfast Television
"Every time we're in a situation where there's some kind of national threat, we all remember that we're so proud," Moore recently told Yahoo Canada.
The former Cityline host said while other countries may have a "base level of humanity," there's something intrinsically special about Canadians
"At our core, people actually care about each other here," she said. "I see examples of it every day."
Moore said acts of kindness might not always make headlines, but if you really pay attention you'll see that they're everywhere you look.
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"I see people helping the elderly take their groceries to the car. I see cars stopping to let people go across. I see people asking, 'Are you OK?' on the street to strangers….," she said. "There's a level of politeness there that's an unspoken rule and I respect that about Canadians."
Melissa Grelo values her freedom — and yours
Image viaHometown: Caledon, Ont.
Best known for:The Social on CTV
"Right now — to me — being Canadian means being able to speak your mind," Grelo said, adding that although it sounds "so simple" one only has to look at the political unrest in the United States to see that not everyone is afforded the same freedom of expression.
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"Not everybody likes what everybody is saying [in Canada], but I can appreciate the fact that we're all allowed to say what we want to say," she continued, while noting that her feelings don't extend to hate speech.""It it feels like something so simple, but you can see how quickly that right can be easily removed…."
Grelo said the recent federal election was proof that while we may be a "divided country" there are some principles that Canadians agree on.
"I think we still value what people will say Canada was built on: diversity in nationalities and diversity in thought," she said. "We're still allowed to have diversity of thought to a much greater degree... [compared to] the U.S. where there's actual consequences for that.'
Lauren Chan moves through the world differently
Image viaHometown: Brantford, Ont.
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Best known for: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's 2025 cover star
'Being Canadian means so much to me. I didn't realize how proud I am to be Canadian until I moved away over a decade ago," said Chan, who now resides in New York City. "I'm very proud that being Canadian has instilled in me the impulse to act in a way that considers others. I've realized living abroad that it's not something that everybody in the world does... I am the way that I am because I'm Canadian. '
Jasmine Jasudavicius proudly fights for Canada
Image viaHometown: St. Catharines, Ont.
Best known for: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight fighter - ranked 6th in the world
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Jasudavicius recently told Yahoo Canada that she became more aware of her Canadian pride when she started fighting internationally.
"I am very proud to be able to represent Canada on the international stage," she said.
Given her strength in the octagon, it's hard to believe that Jasudavicius had never tried her hand at mixed martial arts (MMA) or any kind of training until 2015. In the span of a few short years, she's risen through the ranks to boast an impressive professional record of 14 wins to three loss — all of which were by decision.
"I hope to inspire other Canadian females to challenge themselves," Jasudavicius said. "To make a goal that initially seems out of reach, work hard everyday towards that goal, and watch it get accomplished.'
Leandra Earl feels united with Canadians
Image viaHometown: Toronto, Ont.
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Best known for: Playing guitar for The Beaches
"I think our country really came together this year, and it makes us feel prouder than ever to be Canadian," Earl recently told Yahoo Canada.
Earl and her bandmates are no strangers to braving the elements for a show. The Juno award-winning group makes the best of it, even in the country's coldest temperatures.
"The first time we ever played Quebec City it was negative 30 outside and we all went for a walk before the set," she said. "We thought it would be fun to get the maple syrup on a stick snack that they make in the snow.'
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