A Love Letter to Canada: The Video That Moved a Nation

What Do You Do When Something You Love is Under Attack?

For Ontario-based sports video editor Tim Thompson, the answer was simple: Fight back — with art.

Amidst Donald Trump’s tariffs and veiled annexation threats against Canada in 2018, Thompson felt compelled to respond — not with outrage, but with a breathtaking visual tribute to Canada.

No one paid him. No one asked him to do it. It was a pure, unfiltered love letter to his country — and it resonated deeply with Canadians.

The Political Context: Why This Video Mattered

In June 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel (25%) and aluminum (10%) imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, citing national security concerns (Department of Commerce, 2018). The move was widely criticized by Canadian officials, business leaders, and economists as unjustified and harmful to Canada’s economy (Kellogg, 2018).

Adding fuel to the fire, Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro suggested that there was a “special place in hell” for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after Trudeau defended Canada’s position at the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec (MacCharles & Campion-Smith, 2018). The rhetoric escalated tensions, prompting a wave of nationalistic sentiment across Canada.

In response to the tariffs, Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods worth $16.6 billion, including steel, aluminum, and even consumer products like ketchup and whiskey (Government of Canada, 2018). The trade war fueled a sense of defiance and national pride, inspiring Canadians to rally around their country.

It was in this highly charged atmosphere that Tim Thompson created his now-famous video tribute to Canada.

A Nation’s Identity, Captured in Motion 🎥🍁

Tim Thompson has spent his career telling stories through sports video editing, crafting highlight reels that capture the intensity and emotion of the game. But this time, it wasn’t about a Stanley Cup win or Olympic glory — it was about something much bigger.

“When something you love is under attack, you need to stand up for it,” Thompson said.

So he did — by creating a stunning cinematic tribute to Canada’s landscapes, culture, and people. Set to stirring music, the video showcases:

✅ The vast, untamed beauty of Canada — from the Northern Lights to the Rocky Mountains

✅ The cities, small towns, and Indigenous communities that shape the country

✅ The resilience, kindness, and quiet strength of Canadians

It’s the kind of video that makes you pause, reflect, and feel deeply connected to home.

Audience Reactions: A Video That Moved a Nation

The response to Thompson’s video was overwhelmingly emotional. Canadians flooded the comments section with messages of gratitude, pride, and even tears:

• “I did not expect to cry tears of Canadian pride. We stand on guard for thee.” — @dylansmith1418

• “Thank you for this gift… it went right to my heart… I smiled, I teared up, I FELT it deep in my CANADIAN soul.” — @kellysmith4720

• “This is beautiful. A perfect description of the pride in all of us, for our perfect and imperfect country.” — @chrishobbs6951

• “The ending with the sound of Terry’s steps one after the other is truly moving. I hope the pure determination of those steps will echo in the ears of any who think we as a nation will ever back down.” — @du3223

• “Merci, Tim, pour ce magnifique hommage à notre pays. Votre vidéo est un véritable cadeau pour tous les Canadiens.” — @Nancy-RAV4

• “I love this country. I believe being Canadian means wanting to be friends with everyone but standing up to bullies. We all feel the cold, but it’s sharing the fire that warms us.” — @ryanwilliams3857

• “Seeing Terry Fox made me cry again — such a noble effort he made.” — @Zeyev

• “This is the most beautiful love letter to Canada that I could ever imagine. It brought tears to my eyes!” — @busgirl2591

• “Though I was born in the U.S., my father and both sets of grandparents were born in Quebec. So I’ve always felt a huge amount of love and kinship toward Canada and its people. Merci beaucoup to the maker of this film.” — @marlo4766

Even Non-Canadians Were Deeply Moved

• “Thank you, Tim. Watched after seeing it on The National. I’m not Canadian, just an international student. But this summarizes much of my sentiment here, during the last three years. What a great country, with great people. All the best.” — @rblourenco

This wasn’t just a patriotic video — it became a cultural touchstone, reminding Canadians of their shared identity and values.

Celebrating Canada on the Global Stage 🇨🇦✨

Canada has no shortage of public figures who proudly represent their country on the world stage. Some of the most vocal include:

🔥 Ryan Reynolds — A proud Canadian who constantly highlights Canadian stories, culture, and causes. From supporting SickKids Hospital to promoting local businesses, his love for Canada is evident.

🎵 Drake — One of the biggest artists in the world, but always rooted in Toronto and Canadian culture.

🎤 Céline Dion — A voice that’s recognized worldwide, but always carries her Quebecois heritage with pride.

🤠 Shania Twain — Country music icon and a proud Ontario native.

🎬 Seth Rogen, Michael J. Fox, Dan Levy, Sandra Oh, Keanu Reeves, Jim Carrey — Whether in Hollywood or at home, they never shy away from embracing what it means to be Canadian.

Videos like Thompson’s love letter to Canada remind us why people around the world respect, admire, and celebrate this country.

How to Share This Story 🚀

If this video made you feel something, help spread the message.

✅ Share this post on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

✅ Tag your favorite Canadian public figures who champion Canada.

✅ Use the hashtag #LoveLetterToCanada to join the conversation.

🇨🇦 What does Canada mean to you? Drop your thoughts below! 🇨🇦

References

Department of Commerce. (2018). Section 232 investigation on the effect of imports of steel on the national security: An assessment of the U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www.commerce.gov

Government of Canada. (2018). Countermeasures in response to unjustified U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum products. https://www.canada.ca

Kellogg, P. (2018). Escape from the Staples Trap: Canadian Political Economy After Left Nationalism. University of Toronto Press.

MacCharles, T., & Campion-Smith, B. (2018, June 10). Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro says ‘special place in hell’ for Trudeau after G7. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com