Doug Rogers

“A Retiree’s Reflection on Canada’s Wake-Up Call”
By Doug Rogers

I never planned to become a political voice. Truth be told, I was quite content in retirement. Coffee in hand, crows in the yard, and hummingbirds dancing past the garden. But like so many others, I began to sense a shift, a restlessness that pushed me beyond birdwatching and into writing. What stirred me wasn’t just the noise from across the border or the latest tariff threats, it was the creeping realization that Canada, my Canada, was in the middle of something far bigger than an election cycle. It was a reckoning.

The April 2025 election may be remembered as short, but it was anything but forgettable. Tariffs slapped on our auto parts by the U.S. woke up even the most politically disengaged Canadians. Suddenly, cross-border politics hit home. In our wallets, our jobs, and our national pride. When a U.S. president referred to our Prime Minister as the “Governor of the 51st State,” that wasn’t just a diplomatic low blow—it was a gut punch to a proud, independent people.

In response, Canadians pushed back. From Maple Leaf decals in corner stores to grassroots “Buy Canadian” movements, we asserted our sovereignty not through bluster, but through quiet, resolute pride. In Vancouver, where I now live, I saw tech startups double down on innovation. Across the Prairies, farmers braced for hardship but refused to bow. And across this country, voters showed up with a 72% voter turnout, the highest in years. And that matters.

I watched the debates unfold with interest and concern. Poilievre’s populist rhetoric struck a chord with some, but it was Carney’s steady hand and promise of green innovation that seemed to resonate most. Maybe it was Trump’s interference, or maybe it was just Canadians remembering who we are, but we chose a path forward rooted in collaboration, compassion, and community. The Liberals returned to power with a stronger mandate, and though no government is perfect, I felt a flicker of hope.

As someone whose grandparents came to this country escaping persecution and found sanctuary on the Saskatchewan plains, I carry their legacy in every word I write. They believed in this country—not as a place of convenience, but as a land of purpose. Canada welcomed them, and now it’s my turn to defend the Canada they helped build.

Through these reflections, I’ve launched “Retirement Insights by Doug Rogers”. Not to preach, but to participate. To offer thoughts from someone who’s seen booms and busts, progress and regression. I write because I believe our democracy is too valuable to watch from the sidelines. I write because, even in retirement, I’m not done contributing.

The April 2025 election was a wake-up call, not just about politics, but about our identity. It reminded us that our economy, values, and future are ours to defend and shape. And as I sit here with my coffee cooling beside me, I can’t help but feel grateful that I still have a voice, and that now, more than ever, it needs to be heard.