Barry Elliott

Watched it on Apple TV+
Didn’t catch every Québécois detail, but the story felt universal – family, identity, belonging.
Paired it with Rum & coke + BBQ chips.
🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 / 5
Highly recommend. Bold, moving, and full of heart. Plus a killer soundtrack.

Watched it on Prime
A deeply Canadian story – not about assimilation, but about how cultures weave into the mosaic.
Paired it with chocolate treats from a local café, of course.
🍁🍁🍁🍁 / 5
Highly recommend. Warm, funny, and moving. A celebration of resilience and community.

I watched a bunch of Canadian films leading up to #NCFD 🇨🇦
Fourth one: Peace by Chocolate (2021)
Based on the true story of Syrian immigrants who start over in Antigonish, NS.
Heartfelt, funny, and full of charm.
Fav moment: When Issam accidentally sells chocolate to Tareq’s new hire 😂

I watched a bunch of Canadian films leading up to #NCFD 🇨🇦
Third up: C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)
A lush, emotional coming-of-age set in 60s–70s Québec.
Zach grows up in a Catholic family, wrestling with sexual identity, faith & the need to be seen.
Fav moment: His surreal, grounding road trip to Jerusalem.

@govpritzker.illinois.gov

Abrego Garcia's wife: "I will not stop fighting until I see my husband alive. Kilmar, if you can hear me, stay strong. God hasn't forgotten about you. Our children are asking when you will come home ... they miss their dad so much."

Watched it on Apple TV+
Beautiful West Coast visuals + deep reflections on identity, internment, and legacy.
🍵 Paired it with green tea w maple syrup + trail mix
🍁🍁🍁🍁 / 5
It even made me want to revisit old episodes of The Nature of Things.

I’m watching Canadian films all week leading up to #NCFD 🇨🇦
Second up: Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie (2010)
A powerful, personal doc that blends Suzuki’s life story with his urgent environmental message.
Fav moment: The economy is a human construct - we can change it.

Watched it on NFBC
Felt deeply Canadian in the best way - quiet, smart, modest, and set in the heart of Montreal.
🥃 Paired it with a smoky whisky neat + salt & vinegar chips.
🍁🍁🍁🍁 / 5
Highly recommend for Cohen fans or anyone who's interesting in the inner thoughts of a true artist before fame.

I’m watching Canadian films all week leading up to #NCFD 🇨🇦
First up: Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr. Leonard Cohen (1965)
A charming, curious black-and-white doc that captures Cohen pre-fame, all Montreal cool and dry wit.
Fav moment: Fumbling with the blinds - “I was always good with my hands.”

Feels like a good time to lean into Canadian choices, so I’m starting #NCFD early. Watching a bunch of 🇨🇦 films this week - classics, docs, oddballs - and posting little reflections as I go. “Stand up for Canada by Sitting Down!” And please support your local theatre on April 16!

If Canada survives another 100 years, Manitoba's moment with Wab Kinew will feature as prominently in the history books as a bunch of other things happening right now.

This resonates deeply. Cynicism is easy - too easy. Hope takes effort. But I’d rather fight for a better world than surrender to one I don’t believe in.

6/6

"But you have to fight it all the time in order to recognize that the glass is half full, and that if ordinary people are given the opportunity to pull the levers of power, we would live in a better world. You have to believe in people and what they do.”

5/6

"And like Woody, I’m committed to destroying that feeling in people, to kicking it to the curb as often as I can. Not to say that I'm not prone to my own cynicism - how could you not be, the way politics have gone in the last thirty years?"

4/6

"I've no time for those people. Cynicism is what makes you think nothing will ever change. Cynicism is what makes you fear that nobody else cares about this stuff. It’s what Fox News wants you to believe."

3/6

"And by cynicism, I don't mean skepticism - I think that's healthy, it's helpful. I don’t mean doubt - never trust anyone that has no doubts. I'm talking about those people who've given up and they want you to give up as well. It kind of makes them feel better about the decision they've made."

2/6

Billy Bragg | Broken Record Billy Bragg talks about using music as a political tool, and whether it can truly affect change. Billy also reminisces about his first trip to the U.S. in ‘84 opening for Echo & the Bunnymen, and his ...

I'm a huge fan of the Broken Record podcast, and right now, I’m listening to an episode with Billy Bragg. His words on cynicism hit hard:

"You know, Woody famously had on his guitar, 'This machine kills fascists.' If I had something written on mine, it'd be 'Death to cynicism.'"

1/6

The next Canadian Prime Minister should appoint Trudeau as Ambassador to the United States.

Trump and Vance had the audacity to demand Zelensky's gratitude, as if their posturing entitled them to it. It was revolting to watch. The sheer arrogance, the gall - it’s a masterclass in moral bankruptcy. At this point, there’s no denying it: the U.S. isn’t just complicit; it’s the villain.

Tips for Spotting 🍁 Products
Check Labels: "Product of Canada" or "Made in Canada."
Look for Logos: "Canada Organic" "Dairy Farmers of Canada"
Read Fine Print: Packaging shows ingredient origins.
Buy Local: Support regional producers.
Shop Farmers' Markets: The most direct way to buy Canadian.

12. 100% Local
What It Means: Food made in the province where it’s sold or sold within 50 km of the border of that province.
Ingredients: Sourced from nearby farms or producers.
Processing: Minimal, done close to the source.
Key Tip: Supports local farmers and businesses. Check details to confirm.

11. 100% Canadian Milk
What It Means: Dairy is made entirely with milk from Canadian farms.
Logo: Features a cow and a maple leaf.
Key Tip: Best for supporting Canadian dairy farmers.

10. Canada Organic Logo
What It Means: Certified organic by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Standards: At least 95% organic content and complies with Canadian organic regulations.
Key Tip: Great for organic Canadian products but doesn’t guarantee local ingredients.

9. Distilled in Canada
What It Means: Spirits (e.g., whiskey, gin) were distilled in Canada.
Ingredients: Base ingredients could be Canadian or imported.
Key Tip: Best for Canadian craftsmanship in spirits.

8. Roasted and Blended in Canada
What It Means: Coffee beans, spices, or other products were roasted and blended in Canada.
Ingredients: Typically imported (e.g., coffee beans).
Key Tip: Great for supporting Canadian roasting and blending industries.