Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting For

by Mark Critch

Known for his sharp-witted skits on CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Mark Critch uses his keen observational skills to explore the complexities of Canadian identity and the new wave of Canadian patriotism.

In Sorry, Not Sorry, Critch delves into the heart of what it means to be Canadian at a time when national pride is on the rise. Examining everything from the historical decision of Newfoundland to join Canada, to the modern-day implications of the Freedom Convoy, and the evolving symbolism of the Canadian flag, he reminds us of where we came from, and of the many reasons Canada is worth fighting for—elbows up!

In chapters like “The 51st State,” “I Want My Flag Back,” and “The Invasion,” Critch uses humour and satire to tackle serious questions about national identity, unity, and the future of Canada. He also offers a unique perspective on the country's relationship with the monarchy, the cultural impact of Canadian celebrities living abroad, and the hypothetical scenarios of provincial separations.

Sorry, Not Sorry is more than just a comedic take on Canadian life; it’s a deeply personal and insightful look at the free country Critch has spent decades satirizing. Whether he’s writing as a war correspondent in a fictional American invasion or penning a love letter to Canada in the voice of Donald Trump, Critch’s essays are sure to entertain, provoke thought, and stir a sense of pride in listeners.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, Humor, History, Audiobook, Politics, Essays

232 pages, Hardcover

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

Mark Critch is one of the most recognizable faces in Canadian comedy and has won multiple awards for both writing and performance. For fourteen years, he has starred on CBC's flagship show, This Hour Has 22 Minutes. As an anchor and "roving reporter," he has brought celebrities and politicians to Canadian living rooms across the nation. He is the host of CBC's Halifax Comedy Festival and has written for and appeared in CBC's world-renowned Just for Laughs series.

Reviews

[Kimberley Weaver]

Oh, the laughs I laughed while listening to this gem. I loved this book so much!! As a Canadian living in the US, this hit so many current cultural notes. I always tell everyone I meet that if there’s one thing Canadians can all agree on, it’s that we’re not Americans. This book was a hilarious skewering of the stereotype that Canadians are all polite and apologetic. Another thing I always say- we have 100 meanings to the phrase “I’m sorry” and 0 of them actually mean we’re sorry. So, it was a rude awakening for Americans to find out that Trump’s threats against Canada would galvanize the country.

I liked that the author tied the historical context of Newfoundland joining Canada in 1949 as not dissimilar to the current day threats of American designs on Canada. Having just visited Newfoundland for the first time this past spring, I also loved all the tongue in cheek jokes about the history of the east.

I appreciated the chapter on the appropriation of the Canadian flag during pandemic times by the same manner of difficult people who have commandeered the American flag on the other side of the border. I love that recent American aggression has allowed all Canadians to embrace the flag as their own again!

I loved the chapter on Can-Con TV, especially the section on children’s television. I grew up on 1970s shows like Mr Dressup and laughed so much at the witty commentary. So much truth! And now I’m singing “The Littlest Hobo” song in my head!!

I would like to 🤌 the commentary about Kevin O’Leary, Bobbie Orr & Wayne Gretzky. What an embarrassment for us all.

PS- Jesus was an Anchor Baby and Santa’s woke! 😂 🎅

[Shannon]

Part history, part cultural critique and celebration and part rallying cry to stand up for what makes Canada great and fight against threats from Trump's administration to make Canada the 51st state. I really enjoyed this book!! It was FUNNY, insightful and just a quick entertaining read that was also good on audio narrated by the author himself. Highly recommended, especially for fans of the Elbows up anthology. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Susan]

This is a terrific, satiric look at what makes Canada, Canada, and why most of us here in Canada have our elbows up. Written by our own Mark Critch (he of This Hour has 22 Minutes fame, and who has helped put Newfoundland and our east coast on the map), Critch takes a humourous and insightful look at some of the aspects that have shaped our national identity. I laughed out loud at his take of "Front Page Challenge"....for younger Canadians you can find episodes on YouTube....and of course those of us who grew up with The Friendly Giant and Mr. Dressup, and for some of us Chez Helene, can harken back to a childhood in a gentler, kinder time. Critch also takes on some of the subjects that have irked us and gotten us riled up no end. He takes a look at Canadians who have made us proud, and those who have made us angry in their support of the American government. A tongue-in-cheek look at what would happen to Santa Clause if he was kidnapped by ICE. American boots on the ground in Canada foiled by Ontario black ice. The best part of the book is Crick's mimicry of the POTUS...I listened to this book and when Critch was 'in character' as la Donald, it was very funny. What a hoser.
Thanks, Mark, for making me laugh at a time that has some serious stuff going on.

[Colin McKague]

There isn't much here about the positive highlights that make Canada great. But there is a heck of a lot of complaining about the people that don't fit Mark's mold. I get the sense that he watched the CTV news headlines for the last five years and wrote a book about what he saw, sprinkled with some personal experience and the odd bit of useful insight. The last thing you need to read is another political rant that further drives the wedge between left and right. Note this book has little to no policy discussion thankfully, just complaining. Just skip this one, I'm sure Mark's other non-politic books are much more interesting.

[Steph]

It's a mix of Canadian Pop culture, history, and humorous essays, the latter of which are similar to skits seen on 'This Hour Has 22 Minutes.' My favourite parts were the parts that touched on Canadian history. It's not a deep dive, but it was interesting to think about Canadian history in the context of what's happening with Canada & America and the Canadian identity.

Like the author, I'm from Newfoundland, and my grandparents were British/Newfoundlanders well before they were Canadian. Critch discusses this in the book, pointing out that older Newfoundlanders already know what it was like to be part of one country and having joined another, which was an interesting perspective to think about with current events.

My least favourite parts were the fictional chapters written from the POV of Americans who wish my country harm. It didn't help that I was listening to the audiobook, and Critch does a bang-on impression, which made my skin crawl. I think in this case, I might recommend the print version over the audiobook for that reason.

[Rebecca Jebson - Taylor]

Really enjoyed this audiobook - laughed out loud quite a few times!

[Rob]

Enjoyed this one. It well captures the mood of Canadians like me - those upset, angry, and concerned about relations with the US. Many great stories and experiences are shared with humour and concern for our country. I especially enjoyed the chapter that captured what it was like to grow up in Canada for people of my vintage (GenX). I only wish there were more of these!

[Mike Hrynyshyn]

Was a great accompaniment on my drive to New Brunswick. Loved the audiobook read by Critch himself

[Reader Rob B]

I am pretty sure you have to be Canadian to enjoy this book. I happen to be a patriotic Canadian which means I take great offence to the thought that our great nation would ever become a 51st state.
This book touches on many subjects that offend most Canadians: we had to fight to take our flag back from the freedom truckers; Covid restrictions and anti-vaxers.
It also touches on subjects that all Canadians can agree on: Pierre Poilievre needs to get a real job; Trump is an asshole; Kevin O’Leary, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Danielle Smith are traitors; if certain parties in Alberta and Quebec want to separate they should be shown the door and move to wherever it is that is more free and less tyrannical than Canada.
But this book is not all fun and games. Cancon is dissected as well: Mr. Dressup; The Beachcombers; The Friendly Giant; and The Littlest Hobo all have a place in this big tent we call Canada.
I actually laughed out loud reading some of these pages.
There are a couple of dark Chapters about an American invasion that seemed too real to laugh at. I had a hard time reading those pages.

[CyGrrl]

This is a timely editorial on Canada identity filtered through Critch's perspective as a fierce Canadian from Newfoundland. Using humour and satire to engage readers, Sorry, Not Sorry is a passion project; a collection of musings on Canadian identity prompted during the threat of U.S. relations under Trump, preparing to claim Canada as its 51st state. Critch explains his patriotism, stories about the elusive Canadian identity and satirical pokes at Canadian traitors, in addition to other relatable Canadian-isms.
Recommend for fans of Mark Critch, Canadiana, politics, history, humour and biography. There is definitely a political slant to this book which won't appeal to more rightwing readers.

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺]

Sorry Not Sorry is exactly what you hope for when Mark Critch writes a book about what makes Canada Canada. He hops from cultural quirks to political oddities to personal memories with the ease of someone who’s spent a lifetime watching this country with affection and exasperation in equal measure. And honestly, laughing along with him feels like the most reasonable coping mechanism for the current geopolitical climate.

[Kalen]

My husband asked me what kind of book this was and I said oh it’s a non-fiction book because I was thinking of the parts where Critch was talking of New Foundland’s history but then I said well it’s kind of fiction because he does very fictionalized monologues.

If you want to read this book read it now or it will be out of date in a year. It mentions the Bloc Québécois leader and that’s already incorrect.

[Lindsay B]

3.5⭐️

[Marian]

The author, a comedian I like, does a great job of telling a story about Canada's history and why it's worth fighting for. It comes at an important time where Canadian unity seems more important than ever. I enjoyed this book, a light read.

[Sharon Ouderkirk]

I think you would have to be Canadian to truly appreciate all of the humour in Mark Critch's book. He wrote it in angry response to Donald Trump's remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state, and I think he has plugged into the general outrage that Canadians feel at the arrogance of Trump's attitude. Critch makes fun of everyone - Trump, Canadian politicians, provincial infighting, separatism in Quebec (and lately, in Alberta), growing up watching The Littlest Hobo (a Canadian TV show). His satire is not spread equally - it's pretty clear he's a Liberal, and not a Conservative - but I laughed a lot anyway. (I did think he gave up a lot of material by not taking aim at some of the more egregious Liberal policies, but I digress).
His approach is down home Newfoundland: blunt, sometimes a little vulgar, but always to the point. My favourite line was about the guy who had a tattoo of a map of Canada on his backside, and every time he bent over, Quebec separated. I really appreciated his All-Canadian perspective on the world. Critch changed my mind on a few things. The mark of a great satirist is that they don't just make fun, they make you think. I was too easy on Kevin O'Leary, for example, when O'Leary made a totally fake run for the Conservative leadership, and later, when he became a Trump apologist. Critch is right to call out his bad behaviour. Probably O'Leary's trademark outrageousness has prevented people from truly holding him accountable (because he is too over the top to be taken entirely seriously). I have been too easy on Danielle Smith because I admire her strength and ability to go toe to toe with anyone. As a woman in politics, she is a rare example of having the courage of her convictions. I don't necessarily agree with her, but I respect her strength. Again, Critch has made me rethink that approach - perhaps respect and clear-sighted criticism together is the better way given that she has made numerous unhelpful remarks about Canada.
Sorry, Not Sorry is a best-seller in Canada, and Critch deserves the success. He walks the line between anger at Trump and Canadians taking responsibility for our place in the world. His touchpoints are familiar and comfortable to a Canadian, his criticism takes dead aim at bad behaviour, his humour provokes out loud laughing. It's a good starting point for anyone wanting to process some of the craziness that has been in the news since Trump's re-election.

[Hella Comat]

Spurred on by the US suggestion to make Canada the 51st state, the author writes a at times funny, at times sad, and mostly very clever look at Canadians and our heritage. I really liked the vignettes into Canada’s history - the monarchy, the flag, Quebec and Alberta’s separation threats - and also Newfoundland’s contributions (the author is a proud Newfoundlander).

[Kelly Bellware]

First off, where is the cover art of this book? This is NOT what it looks like. Loved it. Another great one by Mr. Critch. Someone told me recently they they had heard that this should be required reading for every Canadian fifth-grader. I’m inclined to agree. And, it’s also hilarious.

[Erin]

Would like to do beers with Mark Critch.

[C.G. Lang]

Thank you, Mark.

[Shirley]

At times laugh out loud funny and spot on observations. Especially liked his takedown of Kevin O’Leary and Gretzky.

[Elaine Conte]

How come, in a book supposedly about Canada, the person mentioned the most (by far) is Donald Trump?! I started skipping over the pages where DT was mentioned and that didn’t leave a lot to read.

[Jennifer]

I thought this would be fun audiobook to listen to with my son on Canada Day and now I have a 7 year old loudly complaining about Donald Trump in public. On the whole it's pretty tame and easy to follow commentary about the "Elbows Up" mentality in Canada with Mark Critch presenting light essays on the current political climate and his experiences being Canadian. We enjoyed learning about Newfoundland joining Canada, Mark's story about showing the Prince of Whales around Newfoundland, sentiments about the disturbing adoption of the Canadian flag recently, and the especially the commentary on growing up with the extremely slow pace of Canadian content on the CBC. I wasn't a big fan of the more skit-like chapters, such as Santa getting interrogated by ICE or the provinces as sentient beings at a dinner party (okay that one had its moments!). There's nothing revolutionary about these beliefs, but it's a quick, often funny, audiobook highlighting Canadian pop culture in a Newfoundland accent.

[Amy Roebuck]

Even Mark Critch's humour can't make the insane antics of the U.S. president funny, but there is a lot in this short book about what makes Canada special, and I enjoyed and appreciated those parts. Favourite was loving descriptions of Canadian children's television during the years my children were watching: Mr. Dressup, Friendly Giant and Polka Dot Door. If you're U.S., you'll learn about your northern neighbours and find some much needed laughter.

[Jeanelle d'Eon]

Mark’s humour is undeniable. I love his story telling and whit.

Maybe I’m just not into hearing about the orange man to the South anymore. Even though this book was mostly about Canada, I’m just not in a spot in my life to even enjoy anything to do with him.

[Jenna]

Got some cool Canadian history that I didn't know about out of this! Thought it would be strictly history but it was like 20% history 80% about this author tbh. Still cool though and had some funny bits

[Jennifer]

4.5 stars

[Debbie George]

A very True North Strong and Free kind of guy - thanks Mark Critch for this damn right Elbows Up kind of book!

[Charlotte Courage]

I’ve been reading a lot of NL lit as of late and always love listening to these treats from home. I especially loved the first chapter of this one. Do yourself the favour and do it as an audiobook.

[Alexandra]

A quick and mostly entertaining read, and more educational than I was expecting. I’m the same age as the author so was delighted by the 1970s and 80s Canadian pop culture references / discussions… I’d forgotten about so much but it’s amazing how quickly it comes back!

[Patty]

Worth listening to the audiobook. His impersonations are so good. At one point, I forgot I wasn’t actually listening to Trump.