I Am Canadian! And American!

8:47 AM Johanna 0 Comments

It's not as complicated as it sounds.

Since it's both my countries birthdays this past week I thought I would clarify something that has made some of my (American) friends a little confused.

I'm a dual citizen of Canada and the United States of America.

I can vote in both countries and get a job without a green card or all that jazz. I have two passports Canadian and American; though my American passport has a better picture. I can, and have been called for jury duty - although my Canadian home address was probably why I was never summoned.

"How is this possible?" "You're not really American!" "I'm more American then you are or ever will be!" These have all been said to me during my time at school. Seriously Americans...

How is this possible? - My dad's American, my mum is Canadian. They met at University, fell in love and got married. My grandmother on my mum's side was diagnosed with skin cancer so my dad said "Let's move to Canada" and they did. Such a nice guy.

You're not really American! - Hmm....I'm pretty sure my Certificate of US citizenship and US passport proves otherwise. I also am a Daughter of the American Revolution and I get really excited when it's Military Convocation at LU.

I'm more American then you are or ever will be! - Yes, I haven't lived in America my whole life like most people I go to school with, but that has nothing to do with my American-ness. I have just as much rights as you, well technically more since I have citizenship to two countries. Furthermore, I think it's unfair to say that someone who was born in the US is more American than those born outside of the US. What about Americans who are born in the Middle East because their parents are in the military? Are they less American because they were born in, say, Iran? That logic doesn't work. You can still be American if you weren't born in the US just as you can be Canadian if you weren't born in Canada. I just happen to be both American & Canadian.

However, I will say that I feel more at home in Canada. I feel safe in the US but when I walk through the gates that say Welcome to | Bienvenue au Canada I get really happy. I think this is the same for anyone when they enter their home country after being away for a long period of time.


So to clarify, I'm am Canadian. I am also American. I love both my countries and am extremely blessed to be citizens of both of them.