Before the Civil War, Canada was at the top of the underground

In the eternal struggle between freedom and oppression, there are those who seek refuge, those who flee the shadows of tyranny in search of safety and a life of dignity. Margaret Atwood speaks of such moments in time when she said, "Before the Civil War, Canada was at the top of the underground railroad. If you made it into Canada, you were safe unless someone came and hauled you back. That was also true during the Vietnam War for draft resisters." These words echo through the ages, reminding us of Canada's role as a sanctuary for those who risked everything to escape the bonds of oppression. It was a land where the weary, the persecuted, and the defiant could find solace and hope, so long as they could cross the border.

Atwood’s words recall the Underground Railroad, a secret network of brave souls who helped enslaved people escape from the horrors of the American South to freedom in Canada. Before the Civil War, this was a path paved with courage, where hundreds of thousands of enslaved men, women, and children embarked on perilous journeys, knowing that beyond the border lay a place where they could live free from the shackles of slavery. Canada became a beacon of hope, a land where those who made it across could breathe free, knowing they had reached a place where freedom was not just a word but a promise.

But freedom, as Atwood reminds us, is not without its dangers. Even in Canada, the sanctity of this refuge was fragile. Those who crossed into this promised land were never entirely safe, for there were forces—often in the form of slave catchers or those seeking to enforce the status quo—who sought to drag them back into the chains of oppression. But for those who made it, who crossed that threshold, Canada became their sanctuary, a place where they could rebuild their lives, where their dignity could be restored. In this act, Canada stood as a symbol of resistance against tyranny—a beacon to the oppressed across the world.

Let us also look to another moment in history, one that arose after the Vietnam War, a time when the draft resisters, young men who refused to fight in a war they deemed unjust, sought refuge in Canada. Much like those fleeing slavery, these young men left behind their homes, their families, and their lives, crossing the border into Canada in search of freedom from forced conscription. In this act of defiance, they, too, sought not just a physical escape, but a moral refuge—a place where they could live in alignment with their beliefs. Canada once again opened its doors, offering them sanctuary from a war they did not believe in, a sanctuary where they could build a life in peace.

From the Underground Railroad to the Vietnam War era, Canada's role as a refuge for those fleeing oppression is a testament to the power of compassion and solidarity. In times of conflict, when nations are torn apart by war or injustice, there must always be places that stand as symbols of refuge, places where the heart of freedom beats strong, where the soul of humanity remains intact. Canada, in these dark hours, became a light in the darkness, offering not just shelter but hope, and for many, a new beginning.

What then, do we learn from this history? The lesson is clear: when faced with the suffering of others, it is not enough to stand by and observe. It is our duty to act, to open our doors to those in need, to become the sanctuary for those fleeing oppression, injustice, and violence. Every person who reaches out for help, every soul who flees tyranny, is a call to humanity—to rise, to support, and to offer refuge. We must ask ourselves, in the face of suffering, will we stand as protectors or as bystanders? Canada’s example teaches us that no matter the costs, we must act in defense of freedom, in defense of life, and in defense of human dignity.

So let us take this lesson forward. In our own lives, we must cultivate compassion and solidarity, recognizing that there will always be those who need our help—those who seek refuge from war, from persecution, from injustice. Let us be the sanctuary for those in need, offering them not just safety, but the dignity and the promise of a future. In doing so, we ensure that the light of freedom, the light of compassion, will never fade from our world.