Kitchener, Ont. musician urges travellers to visit ‘Canadian Land’ in new song and video

A musician from Kitchener, Ont. is hoping to convince more people to explore all Canada has to offer. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk takes a listen.

A musician from Kitchener, Ont. is encouraging people to stay local this summer and explore all that Canada has to offer.

Kevin “The Canuck” Westphal wrote “Canadian Land” a few years ago but, at the time, he wasn’t sure whether it would resonate with listeners.

“I had the idea then, and I wrote it, and I never did anything with it,” he recalled.

However, as recent trade tensions increased between Canada and the U.S., Westphal was inspired to revisit it.

“I thought, ‘You know what? I’m going to take that song,’” he said. “Now’s the time to do a video and get it out there for the people.”

Westphal teamed up with a group of Canadian musicians and tapped the talents of Danny Bailey, who took on the role of creative director.

“We wanted to make it really Canadiana,” Bailey explained. “The whole song is based on Canadians travelling this summer, or in the winter, and being tourists in Canada.”

The upbeat track takes aim at affordability and a low exchange rate, encouraging listeners to localize their travel plans.

“I could never understand why anybody would want to go anywhere else for a vacation,” Westphal said.

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) said its members have seen a big boost in local bookings.

“Canadians are looking to travel at home because they are reconsidering going to other locations because of the trade dispute,” Andrew Siegwart, TIAO president and CEO, said.

He also pointed to a membership poll in which 64 per cent of TIAO tourism operators saw the same or an increase in travel bookings this summer compared to last year.

“Canadians and Ontarians are looking to spend differently, and they’re looking to support local,” added Siegwart.

While Westphal said he’s been known to make more playful tunes, he’s serious about the message in “Canadian Land.”

“We have to keep this the best place in the world to live,” he explained. “And I think we will.”