Canada Day is fast approaching! In this post, we’ll be celebrating Canadian works from artists, authors, musicians, and studios from across the country. For Canada’s 159th birthday, consider checking out these recommendations, eh?
Explore the Community
What’s better than traversing the gorgeous corridors of a Canadian exhibit? Explore local attractions with VPL’s culture passes, which grant free access to a number of venues. Whether it’s museums like the ROM or McMichael Canadian Art Collection, take some time to revel in the history and arts of local Canadian places! My personal favourite is Reptilia, a smaller zoo with opportunities for hands-on experiences with different reptiles. When I was a child, I remember having a zookeeper help place a snake behind my neck — it was an immersive way of getting up and close with our slithery friends! As a little pro library tip, keep an eye out on Bibliocommons to track our passes in real time, just so you know which libraries these are available at.
Canadian Page-Turners
A botched murder investigation. A civil lawsuit. A potential murder that was ruled a suicide? Released in January 2026, A Gift Before Dying by Malcolm Kempt, a former criminal lawyer of 17 years who currently lives in Newfoundland, is centred around the troubled Elderick Cole. Cole fights his demons after being exiled to a remote community in Nunavut. The death of Pitseolala, a 16-year-old Inuit girl, eventually flares up his suspicions of foul play despite initially ruling the incident as a suicide, which resurfaces other personal issues that Cole must navigate, including his tumultuous thoughts of having failed as a parent himself. The book submerges readers into the cold setting of Nunavut in this descriptive, gripping narrative, weaving in supernatural and thriller-horror elements to cultivate a true page-turner.
A Girl Called Echo is the first of four volumes in a series by Katherena Vermette, which is focused around 13-year-old Echo Desjardins, a Metis girl who is transported in and out of the past, starting with a bison hunt in Saskatchewan. She detaches herself from school and listens to older rock songs from bands like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and the Pixies, which are in a playlist named “Mom’s Old CDs.” This book is a quick read, but altogether the series is an immersive and resonant read that’ll have you admiring the story, illustrations, and themes of resilience and identity, in addition to its historical aspect.
Tunes from the North
I wish I had gotten to see Gordon Lightfoot live before his passing; he’s one of the most recognizable singer/songwriters in Canadian music, and with catchy, indelible hits like “If You Could Read My Mind” and “Sundown,” there’s no debate that Lightfoot’s music was always going to be cemented as among Canada’s best. If you’re like me and wish you could experience the magic of Lightfoot’s live performances, his compilation of concerts at Toronto’s Massey Hall in All Live may scratch that itch. According to an article by The Canadian Encyclopedia on Massey Hall last edited in 2021, the oldest music hall in Canada, Lightfoot had over 165 performances in the Hall, the most in its history. Cranking up All Live will transport you into the magical atmosphere of the venue and into the musical genius of Lightfoot!
On the other side of the musical spectrum lies a genre that’s faster and louder: Metal. One of my favourite “recent” releases is Ottawa-based Unreqvited’s A Pathway to the Moon, specifically “The Starforger,” the album’s third track. It blends blackgaze and cleaner vocals in a harmonious way, striking the perfect balance between melodic and extreme metal.
For more recommendations, read Metal on Ice by Sean Kelly to learn about some local Canadian metal bands such as Anvil and Helix, and how the Canadian metal scene looked just a few decades ago. As Kelly notes on page 15, it’s quite difficult to write about music; however, it’s how the listener feels that makes it engrossing. Whether you’re a newbie or an established metalhead, Metal on Ice can re/introduce you to the world of Canadian metal — which can hopefully mosh its way into your playlists or record collections.
Moving Movies
Life seemed to be going well: Lawrence’s best friend, Matt, regularly watches SNL with him in what they call Rejects’ Night; Lawrence, a cinephile, intends to apply to the Tisch School of the Arts in New York (because he doesn’t want the “Canadian filmmaker” label); and he’s gotten a new job at Sequels, a local video store. However, his relationships become as strained and uncertain as his idea of what his future will entail. In I Like Movies (2022), a Canadian coming-of-age story that fuses comedy and drama, the audience follows 17-year-old Lawrence and how his socially awkward personality may rub a few others the wrong way, including some audience members if you’re a certain type of cinephile who may have strong feelings about films as well!
Indian Horse (2017) is a tear-jerking Canadian production that focuses on Saul Indian Horse, a young boy who loses his family and is forced into a residential school. The film was based on the novel by Richard Wagamese of the same name, which at times was an incredibly difficult read due to its subject matter, but one that’s necessary for Canadians to understand our country’s history. Whether you read the book or watch the film, the story of Indian Horse gives us a glimpse into what the horrific abuse — whether it’s physical, sexual, or emotional — that Indigenous children suffered through, in addition to the loss of identity and culture that altogether reminds us of the importance of having these stories told and retold, an essential first step towards forging a stronger pathway to reconciliation.
Couch Potatoes’ Paradise: Canadian TV Shows
Family Feud Canada is on CBC Gem, a show that you shouldn’t miss if you want to play along from the comfort of your home. You’ll see our Canadian neighbours, stretching from Vaughan to provinces across the nation, competing against one another for a cash prize by providing answers to survey questions. Grab a snack, sit back, and relax, because Gerry Dee, the host, injects a healthy dose of comedy and laughter into the show, as expected from one of Canada’s most recognizable comedians.
How can you not love Scaredy Squirrel? Written and illustrated by Mélanie Watt, a Quebecer, this book series revolves around an anxious squirrel who avoids things that frighten him. The Canadian animated TV series was based on the books and is great for a lighthearted watch that’s likely to bring about at least a few chuckles from the audience, especially younger viewers. It’s great for family-friendly fun!
To end it off, if you’re looking for more book recommendations, then dive into my list, which contains eight other must-read titles by Canadian authors and writers. Have a great Canada Day!