Andy Barrie likens becoming a Canadian to the way he imagines a transsexual must feel once they’ve had a sex change.
“I was a Canadian in an American’s body,” he explains, of growing up in Baltimore, Maryland and leaving the U.S. after receiving orders to go to Vietnam in 1969.
“Canada is absolutely my country. Canada was like being homesick for a place I’d never been to. I had to move here and live here to know it.”
Andy credits Canada with the great kindness of allowing him in.
“I have felt strongly over the years that I needed to repay that favour,” he says.
Working at CBC Radio as the host of Metro Morning for 15 years gave him the opportunity to do just that.
Andy has also worked to raise funds for mental health causes and his advocacy for people who live with Parkinson’s Disease.
Last Friday, he attended a ceremony in Ottawa honouring his service to Canada and community engagement by investing him as a Member of the Order of Canada.
The Governor General David Johnston gives the honour annually to Canadians who have made significant achievements and performed remarkable service.
Thirty-eight individuals were honoured at last week’s ceremony including former Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin, cosmetics entrepreneur Lise Watier, and Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
“No country is perfect,” Andy says. “But this is as near-perfect as I can imagine.”