Red, white and red

By Joyce St. Antoine

Travelling the streets of Windsor, the Canada house is hard to miss.

The Canada house is known for being decorated entirely in Canadian memorabilia, from the Inukshuk outside to the Canadian floor tiles on the inside.

Dan Beaudoin is a retired mechanic who resides alone in what he calls “The Kanata House.” Naming it ‘Kanata’ pays tribute to the First Nations. Beaudoin lived in the house for five years before painting it red and white.

“I’ll never be done adding to this house until I’m fully satisfied,” said Beaudoin.

He receives several Canada-themed gifts on his doorstep but he also searches for the newest pieces to place in his eccentric home. The most recent addition was a black t-shirt with a maple leaf shaped with several Canadian symbols.

“I’m lucky to have so much because my love for Canada will always stand,” Beaudoin said.

He and his family discussed that after he dies, his Canadian shrine will hopefully continue to stand because he is very proud of his work.

The nickname “Canada Dan” is 20 years old and is something he is also proud of.

“My daughter is currently 35 but when she was in Grade 6, she came home and mentioned that her peers were talking about me and called me ‘Canada Dan, the Canada Man,’ and so the name stuck all these years.”

In public, Beaudoin said he is instantly recognized. Not just by his decorated truck but by him wearing red clothing or something Canadian related each and every day. For him, “Red Friday” is an extra special day each week, to show off his support to the troops.

His children and grandchildren enjoy visiting the house. Though he lives alone he always invites his grandchildren and their friends over for sleepovers.

Canada 150, Beaudoin had a big party with his family and friends. There was also a celebration at the end of the day with fireworks.

“It was a beautiful day,” Beaudoin said.

Visitors often come and stand with the statue his neighbor built. His house is open to the public on Canada Day to walk through on a tour.

When visitors come by, Beaudoin said they consider the house a “museum.”

“They all say they’re proud to be a Canadian citizen. Whether you were born here or moved and received Canadian citizenship, you’ll be proud to call yourself a Canadian.”

One of his favourite items is a signed copy of the Charter of Rights and Freedom, signed on Feb. 15, 1965 by Jean Chretien, the former prime minister of Canada.

“It’s one of my favourite and most important pieces because everyone in Canada has a right to their own speech and needs to be heard,” said Beaudoin. “They deserve to have their own rights and freedoms without question.”

Beaudoin never gets tired of maple leaves. Instead of counting sheep like most people do, he counts the maple leaves around the house.

“It’s a bizarre thing to do but it helps me fall asleep faster knowing I’m surrounded by my love of maple leaves.”

Murielle Sheff lives down the street and passes the house on occasion. She respects his love for the home as it is. Her first reaction to seeing the house was a big surprise.

“Whomever drives by, whether local or not, they are immensely surprised at the fact that there is so much memorabilia around. It’s a place certainly to visit when visiting Windsor.”