Page 12 - 02_March-2025

PUBLISHER’S NOTE
WALK
THE
WALK
I attended elementary school in British
Columbia, not far from the American border. I had
family in the state of Washington, so crossing the border
was a regular thing. I didn’t really understand that my
American cousins were not Canadian and vice versa,
but, as a young child, I had the perception that America
was better than Canada. They were our bigger, better
cousins who looked out for us. I remember walking
around in the school yard at a tiny elementary school
near Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, locking arms with my
Grade 2 classmates, and yelling “Hey, hey, get out of our
way. We just got back from the U.S.A.” I have no idea
what it means, even now, but we felt… superior.
I like the renewed vigour in Canadian patriotism and
new conversations happening about how to do business
between provinces instead of crossing the southern
border. I heard someone quoting the “I am Canadian”
rant in a coffee shop this week as they ordered a
“Canadiano.” These conversations and a new focus on
our identity as Canadians is a very good thing.
But what is it about our identity that over the years
has caused us to feel less than the United States? Or
more importantly, why does our city exude the sense
that we are less than other major cities in our own
country? A few years ago, we acquired the Edmonton
Made brand to encourage support of Edmonton
businesses. We’ve always written about and promoted
Edmonton businesses, but we specifically focused on
Edmonton Made through editorial and by providing
group ad space for local makers. But stickers and flags
don’t mean anything if Edmonton residents look the
other way and order from an American company – or
Edmonton-based businesses advertise on American
platforms and in U.S.-owned publications. We have to
do this together.
12 EDify. MARCH.25
This magazine is filled with stories and ads that are
local. Just like us. Edmonton, it’s time to show pride in
your city and in one another. Go to the restaurants in
this issue, shop at the stores and businesses that have
advertised. Let’s all start walking the walk.
Trudy Callaghan
Publisher
Edmonton, would it make a
difference for you if you saw
the Edmonton Made logo at
a local store?
Use the QR code and tell us. →