We Are Canadian! As One We Stand

July 1, 2025

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Single by Brant Garratt, Leisa Way, Limited Pressing Agreement

The song “We Are Canadian! As One We Stand” was written by 89-year-old retired Royal Canadian Mountie Ellis Pringle Craig, with music composed by Carey Blackwell. The song was produced by bandleader Leisa Way of Local 226 (Kitchener, ON), featuring performances by multi-instrumentalist and arranger Bruce Ley of Local 149 (Toronto, ON). Ley was also responsible for recording, mixing, and mastering the song at Bruce Ley Studios.

Craig approached Way at one of her concerts to ask if she and her Wayward Wind Band would record the song. She loved the song and decided to produce it, choosing band member Brant Garratt of Local 149 to sing and play guitar on the release.

“It’s a recounting of the great Canadian parts of our heritage,” says Garratt. “Canadian patriotism is on the rise. People want to be proud to be Canadian.”

Way describes the piece as “a love letter to Canada,” explaining that given the political climate, she felt there was some urgency to release the song as a single as soon as possible.

Preview or purchase the song at: GoProTunes.com/174/287

At over five minutes long, the song is an epic sweep of historic and cultural references, including the poet and soldier John McCrae, suffragettes, astronaut Chris Hadfield, Indigenous suffering and broken treaties—even mentioning Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip who supported reconciliation. And of course, a nod to hockey and “the silver cup Lord Stanley.”

Craig hopes that his song will have the mass appeal of another patriotic song written in 1967 to commemorate Canada’s Centennial. “Ca-na-da,” composed by Bobby Gimby, broke every music industry record and became a Canadian anthem of unity. Craig says, at this point in history, Canada needed a dose of inspiration—a song for any “flag-waving, singing celebration.” His ultimate goal is to have the song included in next year’s Canada Day celebration in Ottawa.

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