Stratford-based renowned poet Heidi Sander has launched a new literary competition inviting Canadians to reflect on their identity and share what makes Canada unique through a poem. She hopes to inspire and uplift fellow Canadians through this unique competition.

The “Canada Is Our Poem” initiative offers Canadians a creative outlet for their feelings in these uncertain times. The national competition encourages Canadians to share their thoughts through poetry while fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to be Canadian.

The initiative was launched on March 4, coinciding with the beginning of a trade war between Canada and the United States kickstarted by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Sander hopes that Canadians can use art and poetry to share their emotions while dealing with the stress and anxiety brought along by the U.S.-imposed tariffs. The competition is open until 11:59 p.m., Thursday, July 31.

Sanders has promised a $1,000 prize for the first-place winner of the competition, and shortlisted entries will receive a one-year subscription to Sander’s online Pathways to Poetry course. The top 200 poems will be featured in an anthology to be published in 2025.

As Sander looks forward to seeing the submissions, offering insight into the nation’s collective voice, she is hopeful of seeing the full spectrum of emotions and perspectives with the entries, ranging from optimistic to downright angry.