About Me/Us
“Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what’s left and live it properly. What doesn’t transmit light creates its own darkness.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
I was born in Germany to Canadian parents and grew up in Alberta and Ontario. My last year of high school was spent in Chesterfield, Missouri as my father was in the Air Force
Growing up in a military family meant few long term friends but many memories, especially ones about me trying to adapt and fit in. I joined the Canadian Navy shortly after turning 18 was enlisted for a total of 25 years. I took a break in between those years to try my hand at commercial deep sea diving but decided to re-join as the Navy offered to many benefits to ignore.
Through the years I tried my hand at photojournalism, television news cameraman, and even did a stint as an Apple Store employee. Through all that the best job I ever had was being a father, I loved being a dad but I was only able to be one for seventeen short years.
We lost our only child, Rehtaeh Anne Parsons, to suicide in 2013. The story and circumstances of her death was international news and for months we tried our best to bring sense to an insurmountable amount of pain and grief.
In 2016 we moved to Toronto from Halifax and started to rebuilt our lives and left there in the summer of 2022. We love life and the moments we have together.
Please feel free to follow along or leave a comment. Thank you for visiting and we wish you the best,
Glen and Krista
Rehtaeh Parsons
I have a page set up that is dedicated to Rehtaeh’s life and her case. You can find it here. You can also read more about Rae at the Rehtaeh Parsons Society website or on her memorial Facebook page.
Rehtaeh’s story has made a lot of necessary and positive changes. Changes to the Criminal Code of Canada were important but not nearly as important as seeing many young people stand up for what is right. We have heard back from many of them and their parents. It helps a great deal to know she has made a difference in the world.
Experience and Skills
- Photojournalist
- Television News Camera Operator
- Master Diver
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician
- Electronic Technician
- Mental Health First Aid (N.S. Certified)
- Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Pilot
- Canadian Reserve Infantry
- Published Author
- Writer and Blogger
- Apple Store Tech
- High Artic Sub-Sea Exploration Expert
- Sailor
- Navigator
Northern Baffin Island – August 1994
Iceland – September 2017
Huffington Post Canada
Named one of Huffington Post Canada’s Top 50 Contributors. On the 5th Anniversary of Huffington Post Canada I was named as a Top 50 Contributor for my writing on Rehtaeh, sexual violence, and issues of consent. It’s humbling to be named alongside Prime Minister Trudeau, astronaut Chris Hadfield, and Drake.
BIO – Glen Canning is an advocate for victims of sexual assault. He is the father of Rehtaeh Anne Parsons, a Nova Scotia teenager who was sexually assaulted by four males at a home near Halifax in November 2011. Rehtaeh ended her life April 4th, 2013, following months of cyber-abuse and victim blaming. Glen has spoken about Rehtaeh’s case internationally and across Canada. Along with his daughter’s mother, Leah Parsons, he has helped bring about changes to the Criminal Code of Canada. For his work, Glen and Leah, along with Amanda Todd’s mother Carol, received the Rosalind Prober Award for Advocacy in 2013.
Please contact me via email: grcanning@gmail.com.
