There’s a famous curse: “May you live in interesting times.” Headlines around the world recently have been extremely interesting.

Britain voted to leave the European Union. The decision has cornered both the EU and the UK into impossible positions. It has sparked counter protests, emboldened hate crime in the U.K., and thrown British politics spiralling into chaos.

In the U.S., the similarly populist Donald Trump is about five points away from the White House as of this writing, rising on a bubble of authoritarian panic and using the staggering number of recent global terror attacks as fuel for a campaign underpinned by racial animus. At the same time, officer involved shootings — particularly of black men — are, unbelievably, on the rise.

Things are rough out there.

But in the midst of chaos, what headlines does Canada grab? We’re so kind to refugees, it’s newsworthy and everyone wants to move here.

So when I travelled to California for Canada Day, I expected some weary expats missing even-keeled Canada. I didn’t expect the absolute outpouring of love for this country and sincere longing to be home.

“(My wife) Lisa and I have all the Canadian news apps, we follow Canadian news kind of religiously, and it’s nice to see how important and influential Canada can be on the stage when you’re on the outside looking in,” said Matthew Burke, a father of two young girls and a native of Nova Scotia. “It reinforces all the positive stereotypes about Canadians — how we’re open and accepting people.

“Given the current state of the presidential race down here, it’s nice to see that inclusiveness and see the diversity, and know that there are places that have an embracing society.”

A person on stage giving a speech.

Cheryl Dartt, Director of Analytics at Facebook, quoted Chinese philosopher Lin Yutang in her speech to Canadian
alumni in Mountain View, California:“Patriotism is the love of the dishes of our childhood.”
In our interviews, many Canadians said they missedCoffee Crisp, ketchup chips, and, yes, poutine.

view was reflected countless times as I spoke to other expats. When I asked what folks missed about home, the most common first answer was “the people,” by 1.6 kilometres. The warmth, friendliness, and ability to make one feel at home were qualities of the Canadian character most missed in the U.S.

“The people” didn’t mean friends and neighbours willing to shovel a walk or jumpstart a car, though everyone gave these examples. “The people” referred to something much deeper.

When expats spoke of it, they would trail off, at a loss for words, as if trying to describe some strange magic that makes Canada a wonderful place to live.

“The people” were why Syrians have found a warm welcome in Canada. “The people” were why progressive policies, such as universal medicare, made Canadians feel taken care of at home. “The people” make Canada a beacon of openness and inclusiveness to the world.

If they didn’t say “the people,” they echoed Carlin Lozinsky, an Edmonton native who answered my question about what she missed back home

A group of people sitting in an audience watching a presentation.

Brandon Lee, the Consul General of Canada for northern California and Hawaii,
is a beloved figure in the Canadian tech scene for his efforts to forge partnerships
on both sides of the border. He was toasted throughout the night at the Digital Moose
Lounge Canada Day All-Alumni Reception in Mountain View, California.

with a simple, sad, “Everything.”

Lozinsky earned a law degree in the States that “unfortunately isn’t transferable” and now feels stuck in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was missing home so much this Canada Day she seemed on the verge of tears throughout our interview.

“I miss the community feeling I had there, small things that people would understand,’’ she said, adding: “I miss the way we speak. The food, obviously, is something I miss a lot. My family, my friends… I really love our (Canadian) outdoors — the chance to see animals bigger than a squirrel. I miss those things a lot.

“I don’t think I learned to appreciate how lucky I was to be from Canada and what a good country it is until I left… every time someone asked me where I was from, as soon as I would say “Canada,” their whole impression of me changed. They would smile, they would be happy… Taxi drivers, restauranteurs… I never had a reason to think about that while I lived there.”

Many interviewees shared this sentiment. “Canadians don’t know how good they have it,” was a recurring phrase.

Two people speaking among others at a conference.

Communitech’s Heather Galt was in California with Go North Canada,
connecting homesick expats with talent-hungry Canadian companies.

"it’s the opportunities, or the people, or even just the traffic congestion… It’s great,” said Edmonton native Tom Osborne. “It’s great in Canada. Canada has a lot going for it, and you forget that.

“It’s easy to complain about the snow, or the mosquitoes or something, and let that dominate the conversation. You leave, and you realize… everywhere has those kinds of problems, and Canada has a lot of things you forgot about, or took for granted.”

But amidst all this goodwill, is Osborne actually planning to go back?

“Absolutely. I came here more for an adventure than the permanency of doing it…Weather’s great, job opportunities are great; but in the end people and relationships will probably bring me back… It’s been worth it. A personal challenge too, just to try… to make a new world for yourself. I’d advise anyone to do it once.”

He took a long pause, smiling mischievously at the beautiful Mountain View skyline.

“Then move back to Canada,” he finished, bursting with laughter.

Photo: A partygoer at the Digital Moose Lounge Canada Day All-Alumni Reception embraces a cardboard cutout of Justin Trudeau.