Canadian Returnee
@canadianreturnee.substack.com
Passionate writer and observer navigating life in Canada, exploring topics like culture, politics, and personal growth. Sharing honest insights and sparking thoughtful conversations.
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Canadian Returnee | Substack
After living abroad for years, I'm back in Canada, writing about Canadian & US politics, current events, & personal growth. Click to read Canadian Returnee, a Substack publication with thousands of su...
canadianreturnee.substack.com
A Canadian Returnee is someone who has lived abroad and is now back home in Canada. It is a term that captures more than just physical relocation; it speaks to the experience of rediscovery, adaptation, and reflection. canadianreturnee.substack.com
Reposted by Canadian Returnee
Still mind-blowing that a top admin official was revealed to have taken $50,000 in cash in a paper bag from people looking for government favors, the reaction of the administration was "Whatever losers, this is how it works now" and bigshot news media said "If you say so, we'll forget about it"
Border czar Tom Homan didn't receive a normal background check for his role while his bribery probe was still ongoing:
Justice officials felt sure Homan would not be able to obtain a security clearance based on the evidence gathered. It remains unclear how Homan was eventually granted clearance.
Justice officials felt sure Homan would not be able to obtain a security clearance based on the evidence gathered. It remains unclear how Homan was eventually granted clearance.
Border czar Tom Homan didn’t receive normal background check during bribery probe
President-elect Trump initially balked at submitting names of likely nominees to the FBI for background checks, a basic step intended to flag possible financial conflicts or ethical problems.
www.ms.now
December 30, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Still mind-blowing that a top admin official was revealed to have taken $50,000 in cash in a paper bag from people looking for government favors, the reaction of the administration was "Whatever losers, this is how it works now" and bigshot news media said "If you say so, we'll forget about it"
Coming Home Hurts in Ways I Never Expected
A personal look at what happens when returning home does not match the promise you imagined.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/coming-hom...
A personal look at what happens when returning home does not match the promise you imagined.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/coming-hom...
December 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Coming Home Hurts in Ways I Never Expected
A personal look at what happens when returning home does not match the promise you imagined.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/coming-hom...
A personal look at what happens when returning home does not match the promise you imagined.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/coming-hom...
When America Turns Its Back on Democracy
Trump’s new security strategy abandons global democracy, raising the question of what happens when an entire world order collapses.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/when-ameri...
Trump’s new security strategy abandons global democracy, raising the question of what happens when an entire world order collapses.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/when-ameri...
December 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
When America Turns Its Back on Democracy
Trump’s new security strategy abandons global democracy, raising the question of what happens when an entire world order collapses.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/when-ameri...
Trump’s new security strategy abandons global democracy, raising the question of what happens when an entire world order collapses.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/when-ameri...
What I wrote last year open.substack.com/pub/canadian...
Quiet New Year, Big Shifts Ahead for Canada and U.S.
A quiet New Year sets the stage for major political change in Canada and the U.S. as 2025 begins. What lies ahead for both countries?
open.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 9:32 PM
What I wrote last year open.substack.com/pub/canadian...
What I Learned After Everything Fell Apart
A personal reflection on work, loss, faith, and rebuilding after instability, illness, and institutional failure in Canada and the US.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/what-i-lea...
A personal reflection on work, loss, faith, and rebuilding after instability, illness, and institutional failure in Canada and the US.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/what-i-lea...
December 29, 2025 at 4:44 PM
What I Learned After Everything Fell Apart
A personal reflection on work, loss, faith, and rebuilding after instability, illness, and institutional failure in Canada and the US.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/what-i-lea...
A personal reflection on work, loss, faith, and rebuilding after instability, illness, and institutional failure in Canada and the US.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/what-i-lea...
Strengthening Canadian Democracy Together
Canada’s democracy faces deep challenges, but reforms in voting, civic education, and citizen engagement can build a stronger, fairer system.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/strengthen...
Canada’s democracy faces deep challenges, but reforms in voting, civic education, and citizen engagement can build a stronger, fairer system.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/strengthen...
December 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Strengthening Canadian Democracy Together
Canada’s democracy faces deep challenges, but reforms in voting, civic education, and citizen engagement can build a stronger, fairer system.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/strengthen...
Canada’s democracy faces deep challenges, but reforms in voting, civic education, and citizen engagement can build a stronger, fairer system.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/strengthen...
Why Boys Are Falling Behind in School
The American education system is failing young men. Here’s why it’s happening, how we got here, and what we can do about it before the gap widens further.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-boys-a...
The American education system is failing young men. Here’s why it’s happening, how we got here, and what we can do about it before the gap widens further.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-boys-a...
December 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Why Boys Are Falling Behind in School
The American education system is failing young men. Here’s why it’s happening, how we got here, and what we can do about it before the gap widens further.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-boys-a...
The American education system is failing young men. Here’s why it’s happening, how we got here, and what we can do about it before the gap widens further.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-boys-a...
Why People Still Think Canada Is a British Colony
Many still think Canada belongs to Britain. An explainer on Canada’s independence, history, and why misconceptions persist.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/why-people...
Many still think Canada belongs to Britain. An explainer on Canada’s independence, history, and why misconceptions persist.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/why-people...
December 26, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Why People Still Think Canada Is a British Colony
Many still think Canada belongs to Britain. An explainer on Canada’s independence, history, and why misconceptions persist.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/why-people...
Many still think Canada belongs to Britain. An explainer on Canada’s independence, history, and why misconceptions persist.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/why-people...
Reposted by Canadian Returnee
Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Merry Christmas!
Exploring the Jarring and Joyful Contradictions of the United States
From giant meals to hidden healthcare costs, an outsider unpacks the real culture shocks of travelling through America.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/exploring-...
From giant meals to hidden healthcare costs, an outsider unpacks the real culture shocks of travelling through America.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/exploring-...
December 25, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Exploring the Jarring and Joyful Contradictions of the United States
From giant meals to hidden healthcare costs, an outsider unpacks the real culture shocks of travelling through America.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/exploring-...
From giant meals to hidden healthcare costs, an outsider unpacks the real culture shocks of travelling through America.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/exploring-...
Becoming Canadian through the Oath of Citizenship
Explore the meaning and history of Canada’s citizenship ceremony, from its legal roots to the oath that marks a new beginning.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/becoming-c...
Explore the meaning and history of Canada’s citizenship ceremony, from its legal roots to the oath that marks a new beginning.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/becoming-c...
December 24, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Becoming Canadian through the Oath of Citizenship
Explore the meaning and history of Canada’s citizenship ceremony, from its legal roots to the oath that marks a new beginning.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/becoming-c...
Explore the meaning and history of Canada’s citizenship ceremony, from its legal roots to the oath that marks a new beginning.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/becoming-c...
Americans with Canadian Citizenship?
Americans with Canadian ancestry may already be citizens without knowing it. This explains how hidden citizenship happens and what it means today.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/americans-...
Americans with Canadian ancestry may already be citizens without knowing it. This explains how hidden citizenship happens and what it means today.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/americans-...
December 23, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Americans with Canadian Citizenship?
Americans with Canadian ancestry may already be citizens without knowing it. This explains how hidden citizenship happens and what it means today.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/americans-...
Americans with Canadian ancestry may already be citizens without knowing it. This explains how hidden citizenship happens and what it means today.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/americans-...
Canada Isn’t Just Cold, Polite, and Empty
Many outside Canada misunderstand its size, seasons, culture, and people. Here's what you need to know before drawing conclusions.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/canada-isn...
Many outside Canada misunderstand its size, seasons, culture, and people. Here's what you need to know before drawing conclusions.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/canada-isn...
December 22, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Canada Isn’t Just Cold, Polite, and Empty
Many outside Canada misunderstand its size, seasons, culture, and people. Here's what you need to know before drawing conclusions.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/canada-isn...
Many outside Canada misunderstand its size, seasons, culture, and people. Here's what you need to know before drawing conclusions.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/canada-isn...
Why Bluesky Feels Like the Future of Decentralized Social Media
Bluesky offers a more intuitive, user-friendly path to decentralized social media compared to Mastodon. Here's why it matters and why it works.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-bluesk...
Bluesky offers a more intuitive, user-friendly path to decentralized social media compared to Mastodon. Here's why it matters and why it works.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-bluesk...
December 20, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Why Bluesky Feels Like the Future of Decentralized Social Media
Bluesky offers a more intuitive, user-friendly path to decentralized social media compared to Mastodon. Here's why it matters and why it works.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-bluesk...
Bluesky offers a more intuitive, user-friendly path to decentralized social media compared to Mastodon. Here's why it matters and why it works.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-bluesk...
Canada Post and the Price of Public Good
Canada Post united the country and forcing it to act like a business risks breaking that national bond.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/canada-pos...
Canada Post united the country and forcing it to act like a business risks breaking that national bond.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/canada-pos...
December 19, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Canada Post and the Price of Public Good
Canada Post united the country and forcing it to act like a business risks breaking that national bond.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/canada-pos...
Canada Post united the country and forcing it to act like a business risks breaking that national bond.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/canada-pos...
How Hate Turned ICE Into a Machine of Cruelty
Trump’s rhetoric and funding turned ICE from a quiet agency into a symbol of hate, reshaping how America treats immigrants and itself.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/how-hate-t...
Trump’s rhetoric and funding turned ICE from a quiet agency into a symbol of hate, reshaping how America treats immigrants and itself.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/how-hate-t...
December 18, 2025 at 11:22 AM
How Hate Turned ICE Into a Machine of Cruelty
Trump’s rhetoric and funding turned ICE from a quiet agency into a symbol of hate, reshaping how America treats immigrants and itself.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/how-hate-t...
Trump’s rhetoric and funding turned ICE from a quiet agency into a symbol of hate, reshaping how America treats immigrants and itself.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/how-hate-t...
Learning Canada Through History and Citizenship
Reflecting on the history of Canada, from treaties to the Charter, while urging unity, fairness, and accountable leadership.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/learning-c...
Reflecting on the history of Canada, from treaties to the Charter, while urging unity, fairness, and accountable leadership.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/learning-c...
December 17, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Learning Canada Through History and Citizenship
Reflecting on the history of Canada, from treaties to the Charter, while urging unity, fairness, and accountable leadership.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/learning-c...
Reflecting on the history of Canada, from treaties to the Charter, while urging unity, fairness, and accountable leadership.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/learning-c...
Finding My Place After Returning
A story of returning to Canada, confronting family distance, and rebuilding a sense of belonging.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/finding-my...
A story of returning to Canada, confronting family distance, and rebuilding a sense of belonging.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/finding-my...
December 16, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Finding My Place After Returning
A story of returning to Canada, confronting family distance, and rebuilding a sense of belonging.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/finding-my...
A story of returning to Canada, confronting family distance, and rebuilding a sense of belonging.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/finding-my...
America’s Layoff Crisis and Learning From History
Mass layoffs are reshaping American life. What happens when work disappears, and how do we respond?
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/americas-l...
Mass layoffs are reshaping American life. What happens when work disappears, and how do we respond?
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/americas-l...
December 16, 2025 at 11:27 AM
America’s Layoff Crisis and Learning From History
Mass layoffs are reshaping American life. What happens when work disappears, and how do we respond?
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/americas-l...
Mass layoffs are reshaping American life. What happens when work disappears, and how do we respond?
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/americas-l...
Alberta Should Not Repeat the Brexit Disaster
Alberta’s Bill 54 paves the way for separatist referenda echoing Brexit’s chaos while inviting foreign interference and national division.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/why-albert...
Alberta’s Bill 54 paves the way for separatist referenda echoing Brexit’s chaos while inviting foreign interference and national division.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/why-albert...
December 15, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Alberta Should Not Repeat the Brexit Disaster
Alberta’s Bill 54 paves the way for separatist referenda echoing Brexit’s chaos while inviting foreign interference and national division.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/why-albert...
Alberta’s Bill 54 paves the way for separatist referenda echoing Brexit’s chaos while inviting foreign interference and national division.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/why-albert...
How to Fix America’s Broken Work Culture
Toxic work expectations are crushing Americans. Here’s how solidarity, storytelling, and resistance can rebuild a healthier labour culture from the ground up.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/how-to-fix...
Toxic work expectations are crushing Americans. Here’s how solidarity, storytelling, and resistance can rebuild a healthier labour culture from the ground up.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/how-to-fix...
December 13, 2025 at 11:20 AM
How to Fix America’s Broken Work Culture
Toxic work expectations are crushing Americans. Here’s how solidarity, storytelling, and resistance can rebuild a healthier labour culture from the ground up.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/how-to-fix...
Toxic work expectations are crushing Americans. Here’s how solidarity, storytelling, and resistance can rebuild a healthier labour culture from the ground up.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/how-to-fix...
Michael Ma's Floor Crossing Lessons
Another Conservative MP defects to the Liberals, revealing deeper problems in Canadian politics and what voters can learn from it.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/michael-ma...
Another Conservative MP defects to the Liberals, revealing deeper problems in Canadian politics and what voters can learn from it.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/michael-ma...
December 12, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Michael Ma's Floor Crossing Lessons
Another Conservative MP defects to the Liberals, revealing deeper problems in Canadian politics and what voters can learn from it.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/michael-ma...
Another Conservative MP defects to the Liberals, revealing deeper problems in Canadian politics and what voters can learn from it.
canadianreturnee.substack.com/p/michael-ma...
Why Americans Struggle to Build Community
Exploring why American culture leans toward individualism while Canada preserves stronger communal traditions.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-americ...
Exploring why American culture leans toward individualism while Canada preserves stronger communal traditions.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-americ...
December 11, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Why Americans Struggle to Build Community
Exploring why American culture leans toward individualism while Canada preserves stronger communal traditions.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-americ...
Exploring why American culture leans toward individualism while Canada preserves stronger communal traditions.
theamericanrefugee.substack.com/p/why-americ...
Reposted by Canadian Returnee
Multiple sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Global News that there was a plan by Metrolinx and the Ministry of Transportation to open the line during the last week of December.
globalnews.ca/news/1157065...
globalnews.ca/news/1157065...
TTC and Metrolinx battle over Eglinton Crosstown LRT date at tense private meeting | Globalnews.ca
Multiple sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that there was a plan by Metrolinx and the Ministry of Transportation to open the line in the last week of December.
globalnews.ca
December 10, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Multiple sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Global News that there was a plan by Metrolinx and the Ministry of Transportation to open the line during the last week of December.
globalnews.ca/news/1157065...
globalnews.ca/news/1157065...