This Saturday, Global Citizen is hosting our first-ever concert in Canada. Global Citizen: A Concert to End Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria is bringing together top musical guests with global dignitaries to celebreate the replenishment of The Global Fund. Tune in to watch it live on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. on Fibe TV, channel 1158; watch on demand on Fibe TV, channel 1, or stream it at www.iheartradio.ca.
There’s no question that Canada has earned its reputation as a country focused on making positive changes around the world. Canadians are making an impact with their leadership and generosity; we have good people who do good work and continue to strive to make a difference from our backyards to across the globe.
Some have achieved more than others, and we want to acknowledge three Canadians who exemplify what it means to be a Global Citizen.
Rachel McAdams
Inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2014, Rachel McAdams has established herself as a well-respected and in demand actress in Hollywood. She’s played everything from iconic pop culture roles like Regina George in Mean Girls to more emotionally driven leads like her character in Midnight in Paris.
Off screen, she has often taken on the role of giver. Most recently, McAdams stepped into the Toronto Stock Exchange and used her stature to raise $75,000as part of CIBC Miracle Day, a fund that has raised $79 million for Canadian kids in need, and over $200 million for children around the world since its inception in 1984.
But that’s only a snapshot of McAdams’ generosity. Back in 2013, she literally put hammer to nail to help build a home in support of Habitats for Humanity. She’s also supported the Sunshine Foundation of Canada, a group that grants the wishes of children with severe disabilities or life threatening illnesses.
You can often catch the ever-cool actress and humanitarian biking around Toronto when she’s not relaxing in her renewable, energy powered home. For these reasons and more, Rachel McAdams is definitely a Canadian who walks the walk and who we can proudly say is a true Global Citizen.
Seth Rogen
It’s tough to take Seth Rogen seriously. He’s been making audiences laugh since he was a teen in his hometown of Vancouver, BC and has written and starred in cult classics such as Pineapple Express and Knocked Up, and more recently in Neighbors.
But acting and comedy doesn’t begin to paint the picture for this Canadian. He’s made it his mission to use his fame to fight Alzheimer’s disease. He’s championed the cause after meeting the mother of his now-wife Lauren Miller, who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at age 55.
Rogen and his wife started Hilarity for Charity, an annual variety show that has raised millions since 2011. Its last event featured friend and fellow comedian James Franco and went on to raise $2.6 million, all toward Alzheimer’s research. Rogen is a true Global Citizen. And that’s no joke.
Justin Trudeau
It’s impossible to mention Canadians who understand what it means to be a Global Citizen without mentioning the head of the nation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tilted the eyes of the world northward after winning the nomination for PM late last year.
Since then, Trudeau has been set on improving Canada’s global impact primarily by setting the example. He has made clean growth and steering Canada away from fossil fuels a main priority in his budget. More than that, Trudeau has pledged to make Canada a global leader when it comes to sustainable living. He made that clear by launching the Smart Prosperity initiative back in March of this year.
Again setting the example, Trudeau’s party has pledged over $8 billion over the next five years, mainly towards the education and social and economic well being of Canada’s indigenous people. He acknowledges the difficulties being faced by this group and is prepared to put actual dollars into a solution.
Maybe most evident of his commitment to position Canada as world leaders is Trudeau’s recent pledge to the Global Fund. He has promised $785 million over the next three years to help the organization’s fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
PM Trudeau is a true Global Citizen, igniting change on a global scale.
Thank you, Canada and to all the Canadians who are Global Citizens in their own right every single day.