Saleh family: 'We left Canada to protect our kids, but we'll always be Canadian'

Yahoo

a day ago

Yahoo News Canada presents 'My Canada," a series spotlighting Canadians — born-and-raised to brand new — sharing their views on the Canadian dream, national identity, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with life inside and outside these borders.
As Canada Day approaches, many Canadians are reflecting on what it means to belong to this country, particularly in an era so marked by economic anxiety and political disillusionment. For Will and Sana Saleh, the popular family behind the wholesome and globe-trotting channel The Salehs, Canadian identity is both deeply cherished and something worth consistent critical examination.
'Being Canadian is knowing and always being proud of where we came from,' Sana said during a recent conversation from her family's new home in Malaysia, where they relocated in the fall of 2024. 'We have set roots in Canada for seven-plus generations in the case of Will, and three generations for me, including our kids; it will always be home for us.'
Their pride runs deep. It's not only the country where they (and their children) were born, but where they went to school, fell in love, married and had three children. They've shared slices of that life online, earning a following of over a million that spans continents. For their audience, the Salehs have come to represent a multicultural Canadian family with warmth, humour and heart, but one that is also honest about their challenges.
'To us, being Canadian means being part of a mosaic — not being defined by a single culture or religion, but belonging to a beautiful and diverse population of people from every corner of the world,' Sana said. But, she added, 'Our feelings have definitely changed in terms of what Canada itself has become, [though] not necessarily what it means to be Canadian. At the root of it all, Canada is an incredible place. It's just the people — or 'bad apples' — that have made it a place no longer fitting for us to raise our kids.'
It's a difficult admission, but one that many racialized Canadians and newcomers might resonate with. Despite its long-held image as a beacon of diversity and politeness, Canada is certainly not immune to racism and xenophobia, both of which the Salehs experienced, along with a hefty dose of Islamophobia.
Canada is an incredible place. It's just the people — or 'bad apples' — that have made it a place no longer fitting for us to raise our kids.
When asked whether the country still lives up to its reputation for kindness in their experience, the pair said 'yes and no.' Sana elaborated: 'In theory, and in person — yes, most of the time. But online? No. There are way too many keyboard warriors who say how they truly feel about Canada and the immigrants that live in this country, because they can say it knowing that their identity is masked. The scary part is knowing that there are so many people who feel this way, and you could be working or shopping alongside them without ever knowing what they really think about you.'
These realizations helped fuel their decision to leave Canada and settle in Malaysia — a move that's brought them safety, affordability and a sense of belonging. But it wasn't just the social climate that pushed them to go; it was also an economic and political move.
You would think the healthcare system would be amazing, but it's nowhere near what we've experienced in Malaysia.
'We hope the economy can improve,' Sana said. 'For our dollar to be strong again, for housing and grocery costs to go down. Most people are struggling to make ends meet with no hope to ever own a home of their own. Taxes are so ridiculously high that you would think the healthcare system would be amazing, but it's nowhere near what we've experienced in Malaysia. Canada has also proposed over $9 billion dollars in military spending, but for what? To fight who? That money would be far better spent improving the lives of everyday Canadians. But what can we expect from a system that benefits the rich at the expense of the poor?'
Along with many, their political frustrations reached a tipping point with Canada's response to the genocide in Gaza, something they describe as a core reason for leaving. 'We've said it from the beginning: Canada's stance was a huge reason why we left,' Sana said. 'Now that tensions are high between Canada and the U.S. — who is the biggest player in the genocide — we can clearly see who is 'boss' between the two. We hope Canada can stand on its own and make its own decisions, including sanctioning Israel and doing the right thing to protect the peace.'
And yet, despite all this, the Salehs' love for their home country remains. They light up when sharing little moments that continue to define their Canadian identity. Will fondly remembers his dad running into Pat Quinn, the former coach of the Vancouver Canucks, during a trip to Banff. 'My dad just said, 'Oh, hey Pat,' and they shook hands as if they had been friends forever. It was a very Canadian thing.'
They also speak warmly of everyday gestures that are part of the social fabric — like strangers holding open doors or helping with strollers. 'Kindness exists everywhere you go in Canada,' Sana said.
Kindness exists everywhere you go in Canada.
That's the paradox at the heart of this family's experience: a deep pride in their roots, coupled with a clear-eyed view of where Canada stands politically and what it still could become — good or bad.
'We love calling ourselves Canadian,' they said. 'It's just who we are. Maple syrup and all.'