Susan Phillips on growing up in rural Canada: ‘You helped each other’
Susan Phillips, a professor emerita at Carleton University, was among six women from the university appointed to the Order of Canada last year. She founded Canada’s first graduate program in philanthropy and, in an interview with the university’s student newspaper The Charlatan, reflected on the honour and how her rural upbringing shaped her commitment to inclusive, community-driven philanthropy.
TC: You grew up in the small hamlet of Craigmyle, Alta. How did your upbringing shape who you are?
SP: It was a little town of about 100 people in a part of Alberta with no coal, no oil and no gas, but I developed an interest in civic affairs very early. My father was the postmaster, and the post office was in the front of our house, so I grew up listening to people talk about community matters every day.
Because it was so small, there was no charity as we understand it today. You helped each other by giving away casseroles and sharing extra vegetables from the garden. That gave me a deep appreciation for community building, belonging and engagement.
TC: The Order of Canada’s motto is “They desire a better country.” What does a better Canada mean to you?
SP: We’re at an interesting moment of reinvention. What makes Canada distinctive is its inclusive diversity — not just tolerance, but engagement with difference.
That coming together to build something of value without ego feels very Canadian.
I think Canada can be a model for how to build stronger communities and a stronger nation in an inclusive and respectful way.
