A Day of Tragedies, Questions, and Democracy — I’m Proud to Be Canadian

Dead babies found in a storage locker in Winnipeg.

A tragic and frightening shooting at the National War Memorial and Parliament buildings in Ottawa.

The most exciting civic election in years taking Winnipeg by storm.

I don’t know why a mother chose to leave her children to the dark of death.

I don’t know why a young man on guard was chosen to fall at the feet of heroes to be remembered.

Not only do I not know why, but I had no control over those things.

Investigations and allegations and thoughts of who and how and why are going to fill the minds of our nation for days and weeks. Death is always a tragedy, and it is even more so because of today’s circumstances.

This morning I woke up to a text from my girlfriend asking me if I knew anyone in Ottawa.

Then I got up and walked, safely, to the polling station.

I cast a vote.
It was the one thing I had any control over.

More people in Winnipeg came out to vote than have since 2002. More candidates offered interesting ideas, comprehensive plans, and likable personas than I can remember. More young people talked about voting, volunteering, and caring about our city than I expected, and that people have seen, in quite a while.

I just want to say that I’m proud of everything everyone did today that was within their control.

The RCMP and paramedics responded.

Volunteers oversaw ballot boxes.

A city that I love came out to vote.

Today was filled with tragedy and questions, but also inspiration.

Today I feel incredibly proud to be Canadian.