In a recent LinkedIn post, Arlene Dickinson shares a deeply personal reflection on her connection to Canada and issues a call for a collective recommitment to the nation’s economic future. Dickinson, a prominent figure in Canadian business, draws on her family’s immigration story from South Africa in the late 1950s to illustrate the foundational support she received from Canadians, emphasizing the role of community and opportunity in her family’s success.
Dickinson highlights the critical support her family experienced upon arriving in Canada, detailing how community kindness and available resources were instrumental in their early years. She writes:
“Canadians were there for my mom, dad and sisters when we immigrated to this country from South Africa in the late 50’s. Canadians welcomed us, helped us and gave our young family hope that we would figure it all out here in this new country.”
This foundational experience, she explains, instilled a profound respect for Canadian citizenship and a commitment to contributing to the nation’s prosperity. Dickinson recounts how Canadians supported her entrepreneurial journey from its inception, even when her ventures were unproven.
A Deep Sense of ‘Good’ Among Canadians
Dickinson articulates a strong affection for Canada, rooted in her admiration for its people. She posits that what truly binds the nation is not assimilation, but a shared commitment to peaceful coexistence and collective effort towards building a stronger, globally-minded country.
“I love Canada. But I love it because I love Canadians and the deep basic sense of good we have in us,” Dickinson states in her post. She elaborates on this unique Canadian identity, noting, “I love that we are from everywhere but always from here. And that the love of our country is what binds us not by assimilating us but by allowing us to peacefully co-exist and work together to build something global in view and focused on building this nation strong.”
The Call to Recommit
Drawing a parallel between her family’s early struggles and the present day, Dickinson identifies herself as one of 40 million Canadians who she believes are ready to recommit to the nation. She outlines her personal pledge to actively contribute to fixing what she can, focusing on building a better economy and supporting Canadian businesses in their growth and global scaling efforts.
Dickinson emphasizes that this recommitment can manifest in diverse ways, acknowledging that individual contributions will vary. She suggests that for some, it may involve starting a business, while for others, it could be mentoring emerging entrepreneurs or simply remaining engaged and persistent.
Diverse Paths to National Contribution
The entrepreneur stresses that there is no single prescribed method for contributing to Canada’s future. She states:
“Recommitting to Canada doesn’t look the same for any of us, and it shouldn’t. For some it’s starting a business. For some it’s mentoring someone who’s just starting out. For some it’s simply showing up, paying attention, and refusing to give up on what this country can be.”
Ultimately, Dickinson argues that the only truly detrimental approach is inaction. She concludes her post with a reaffirmation of her commitment to Canadian values, including peace, independence, learning, freedom, and the pursuit of a more equitable future for all.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Arlene Dickinson on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on September 9, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →