Proudly Canadian: Voices from Across Canada’s Eye Care Community
Wednesday, December 31 2025 | 14 h 40 min | News
As a proudly Canadian publication, Optik is committed to celebrating the people, values, and professional excellence that define eye care in Canada.
Following the close of the Proudly Canadian Optik Subscriber Contest, our editorial team reviewed hundreds of thoughtful submissions from opticians, optometrists, industry professionals, and students across the country. The response was remarkable—personal, reflective, and deeply rooted in what it means to care for patients in a uniquely Canadian context.
In addition to our randomly selected gift card winners, we introduced a Proudly Canadian Bonus category to recognize entries that stood out for their insight, authenticity, and storytelling. After aggregating and equally weighting editorial ratings, clear winners emerged.
Beyond the winners, the contest generated a rich collection of verbatim reflections. These voices reinforce why Optik remains committed to Canadian stories, Canadian perspectives, and Canadian professionals—principles that are central to our Canadian Content Policy.
(Learn more here: https://www.optiknow.ca/canadian-content-statement/ )
Below, we are pleased to share the Proudly Canadian Bonus winners, including original French submissions with English translations.
🏆 Proudly Canadian Bonus Winners
Wesley Chen, Optician, Richmond, BC
“I am proudly Canadian because my story, like so many others, began with a journey of vision. My father immigrated to Canada with determination and a craft. Through his work as an optician, he embodied the heart of Canadian service, exemplifying humility, integrity, and care for the community. As a diverse country, Canada was a place where we could interact with many cultures, languages, and stories.
My father described this as a mosaic of people whose differences don’t divide us but deepen our understanding of one another. It was through this that my father found belonging, and through his work as an optician, he served his community with care and respect for every individual. Growing up watching him serve patients from every walk of life taught me the values of working in the Canadian Eye Care industry. I’ve learned that this line of work isn’t just about lenses and prescriptions, but about seeing people and meeting them where they’re at.
It’s about inclusion, respect, and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to see clearly and live fully. Now, as I continue in the same profession, I wish to carry forward that legacy shaped by my father’s work and the compassion, diversity, and opportunity we’ve experienced in Canada. I am proudly Canadian because this country didn’t just give my family a new home, but also the opportunity to bring clarity to such a diverse community.”
Dr. Henry Reis, MD, OD, MBA, Vancouver, BC
“I am proud to be part of Canadian eye care because this country treats vision care as a shared responsibility. Our industry brings together clinicians, researchers, and partners who genuinely care about patient wellbeing and work together to elevate the standard of care. Canada creates the kind of environment where people can build new ideas, raise clinical standards, and push technology forward because it truly makes a difference for patients. My own journey reflects that. I arrived here with a desire to contribute and found a profession that welcomed hard work, curiosity, and a drive to innovate. The projects I have led here, from advanced dry eye care to new diagnostic approaches, were only possible because Canada encourages clinicians to think bigger and serve with integrity. What makes me proudly Canadian is simple. In this country we take care of people the right way and we keep raising the bar for each other.”
Patricia Hardy-Boucher, Optician, Drummondville, QC
Original French :
“La qualité des fournisseurs et l’humain qui se retrouve derrière chaque compagnie fait partie des raisons pour lesquelles je suis une professionnelle ”Fièrement canadienne”. Nous travaillons étroitement avec des gens humains qui ont à cœur la santé de nos patients, de nos cliniques, de nos membres et qui nous permettent de se dépasser continuellement en étant à l’écoute de nos besoins et en nous offrant des solutions adaptées à notre clientèle. La qualité des professionnels dans le domaine nous permet de travaillons en communion afin d’offrir à la fois les meilleurs soins et les meilleures solutions aux diverses problématiques rencontrées par nos patients.”
English translation:
The quality of suppliers and the human values behind each company are among the reasons why I am a proudly Canadian eye care professional. We work closely with people who genuinely care about the health of our patients, our clinics, and our members. Their attentiveness to our needs and their ability to offer solutions adapted to our clientele allow us to continually push ourselves further. The high calibre of professionals in our field enables us to work together in true collaboration, delivering both the best care and the best solutions to the diverse challenges faced by our patients.
Honourable Mentions
Shreya Jain, Optometry Student (OD3 University of Waterloo)
“I am proud to be Canadian because our country offers us education, resources, and many privileges that are not afforded by others globally. As an optometry student, access to free healthcare is something that makes me incredibly proud to be Canadian and allows me to give back to communities, locally and globally, to support those who lack such resources. I love to volunteer for organizations such as VOSH and provide eye care to underserved communities across the world. Being Canadian is a privilege and I am looking forward to sharing my education and knowledge with those around the world through collaboration, advocacy, and personal connection.”
Kristel Bordeleau-Tassile, Marketing Director
Original French :
“Être une professionnelle fièrement canadienne dans l’industrie des soins de la vue, c’est pour moi incarner les valeurs de diversité, d’innovation et de proximité. Basée à Montréal, au cœur d’un siège social bilingue et inclusif, je contribue à faire rayonner une expertise locale à travers tout le pays. En collaborant étroitement avec les professionnels de la vue d’ici, je m’assure que notre approche marketing reflète les besoins uniques du marché canadien et de ses provinces, tout en mettant de l’avant des solutions conçues pour améliorer concrètement la santé visuelle de nos communautés. C’est cette fierté de servir, d’innover et de bâtir localement qui m’anime chaque jour.}
English translation:
“Being a proudly Canadian professional in the eye care industry means embodying the values of diversity, innovation, and connection. Based in Montreal, at the heart of a bilingual and inclusive head office, I help showcase local expertise across the country. By working closely with Canadian eye care professionals, I ensure that our marketing approach reflects the unique needs of the Canadian market and its provinces, while promoting solutions designed to meaningfully improve the visual health of our communities. This pride in serving, innovating, and building locally is what motivates me every day.“
Celebrating Canadian Voices
These submissions reflect the diversity, professionalism, and shared commitment that define eye care in Canada. From seasoned practitioners to students just beginning their journey, the common thread is clear: Canadian eye care is built on collaboration, compassion, and integrity.
At Optik, being proudly Canadian is more than a tagline—it is a responsibility.
Through editorial choices guided by our Canadian Content Policy, we remain committed to amplifying Canadian perspectives and supporting the professionals who shape vision care across the country.
More stories from this exceptional collection will be shared in upcoming features.
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