Job Rutgers, Creative Director

Why: A Personal Tribute to Canada

As a Dutch man who has lived in Canada for nearly 20 years, I owe Canada so much—my past, my present, and our futures.

Past:

My mother experienced WWII in Arnhem, one of the hardest-hit cities in the Netherlands. As a nine-year-old, she witnessed the city burning and our family's lives depended on the bravery of the Canadian soldiers.

Present:

Living and working in one of North America’s greatest cities, I feel immensely blessed by the freedom we all experience and often take for granted. Watching the changes across Europe, I am continually grateful for the stability and liberty I enjoy in Canada.

Future:

Canada's unique experiment, with its emphasis on cultural diversity and inclusivity, is a success story on which our future depends. This tribute is not only an expression of our gratitude for the past but also a beacon of hope for a future lived in freedom.