How Canada Works

If you're Canadian, you'll know the name Peter Mansbridge. For those not in the know, he's a celebrated Canadian journalist and broadcaster who has built a long and successful career as the anchor of The National and the CBC News Chief Correspondent where he informed Canadians about what was happening at home and around the world. 

How Canada Works was co-written with Mark Bulgutch, his co-author of 2020's Extraordinary Canadians. This collection of first-person stories gives readers glimpses into the 'everyday' jobs and careers of 28 Canadians from across Canada. From the air traffic controller in Halifax and the Neskantaga First Nations Chief in northern Ontario, to the high-rise window washer in Edmonton and the forensic biologist in Guelph, Ontario to the dairy farmer from Manitoba (which I found fascinating!) and many more, these Canadians share what their jobs entail and how the work they do helps to make Canada work.

Be prepared to be inspired, have your heart warmed with a sense of community spirit and your eyes opened to the wide range of skills and accomplishments these citizens bring to their communities that help to benefit Canada as a whole. While our country is still a work in progress, by working together and doing our part, it is the 'everyday' people who will continue to make Canada better.

Author Event: I had the pleasure of meeting Peter yesterday at an author event in Kitchener Ontario. If you have the opportunity to see him on tour, I'd highly recommend attending.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary copy of this book which was provided in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Authors: Peter Mansbridge, Mark Bulgutch

Genre: Nonfiction, Canadian

Type and Source: Hardcover from publisher

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada

First Published: November 21, 2023

Book Description from GoodReads: From #1 bestselling authors Peter Mansbridge and Mark Bulgutch comes a new book of first-person stories about the unique people and professions that make Canada work.

In this latest collection of personal stories, Peter Mansbridge and former CBC producer Mark Bulgutch shine a light on the everyday jobs that keep our nation running and the inspiring people who perform them with empathy and kindness.

Meet the 911 operator in British Columbia who sends help to callers in crisis and stays on the line, steadying them as they wait. Hear from the chief of the Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario, who sacrifices his personal time to fight for better resources for his community, which has had a boil water advisory since the mid-1990s. From the air traffic controller who ensures people get to where they need to go, to the midwife in Saskatchewan who guides families through pregnancy and the birthing process, these are the jobs that connect Canadians on both a logistical and personal level.

Though Canada is still very much a work in progress, this enlightening book celebrates how we are greater than the sum of our parts by championing the people that make our country great.