EDITOR'S NOTE: The Sun asked mega-celebrity Pamela Anderson to share with our readers the reasons she loves Canada so much, seeing as today she is one of eight new inductees into Canada's Walk of Fame. Following is her first-person column.

I love Canada! The ocean, the people are amazing - polite, just sweet. I'm from the West Coast - so I may be partial - but Vancouver Island is the most beautiful place on Earth. I will always consider that my HOME. I have the most beautiful property there ... it's where I grew up and where I want to raise my children as much as possible, away from Hollywood.

California was my dream, but now I realize how lucky I was growing up in Canada. My roots are strong and I've never stopped saying please and thank-you.

Canadians are proud and hard workers - it's not beneath them to do hard work. All my friends mowed lawns to make money. Or went tree planting. My family waited tables, sold vacuum cleaners and swept chimneys with a smile.

There isn't this delusional sense that we'll all be pro athletes, musicians or movie stars - and that's just fine. But, hell, it can happen!

We have great education. My schools were beautiful and well-maintained. The teachers were great, the coaches were fantastic and tough. It gave me strength and endurance to achieve what I have - coming from working hard at volleyball. Sports were important. They kept me in line and in shape.

I've learned a lot about parenting and about friendship from growing up in Canada. It seemed that we were given more freedom as kids. Parents didn't over-parent. It's so refreshing to know I learned how to ride a bike by going head-first into the blackberry bushes - and I was OK. A broken bone and a scratch here and there, but I was OK. Being a kid raised on the beach has set the tone for my life. My friendships have been maintained. One of my best friends still lives in Victoria! We have each other's backs. We don't judge. We are happy (genuinely) for each other. There is a sense of peace.

When I speak out against the seal hunt, some accuse me of sounding anti-Canadian, which is silly. I care what the world thinks about Canada, and when we allow hundreds of thousands of baby seals to be killed in front of their mothers as an off-season cash bonus for local hunters, people think we're barbaric. Sure, every country has its unique cruelty, but I'm always inspired by citizens who aren't afraid to speak out against it.

I am in Japan as I write this. Here, people are so incredible. It reminds me of home - everybody is so polite.

I just spoke on the phone to my parents, who are in Malibu watching my children until I get home. I told my Mom I was writing this article, and she said, "Well it's obvious why you love Canada so much - your parents live there!"

She's funny. You'd have to know her to know.

Canada is a country with a conscience - stay wonderful. We are truly blessed to have lived here. There is no other place like it.

I love Canada!

At Pamela Anderson's request, the Sun is proud to donate her writer's fee to the Hepatitis C Society of Canada

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