Letting Go of the Good Canadian

Canada loves to tell stories about its kindness, fairness, and moral superiority. But what happens when settlers begin to let go of those comforting myths? In this episode, we explore the enduring power of the “Good Canadian” narrative—and what gets revealed when we finally start asking who it serves.

We begin with the story of the Komagata Maru, a ship of South Asian migrants turned away by Canada in 1914, and the political movement that sought to challenge the racial borders of the British Empire. We trace how this history—and others like it—have been overshadowed by slogans, school assemblies, and carefully crafted national pride.

Through historical context, cultural critique, and personal reflection, this episode asks: if we stop clinging to the myth of the Good Canadian, what’s left? And could that be where the real work begins?

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of racism, immigration exclusion, and colonial violence.