15 Reasons Growing Up in Canada in the ’90s Was Absolutely Iconic

1. Heritage Minutes | The Canadian Classic That Taught Us History in Just 60 Seconds

Did you know that basketball was invented by a Canadian? Or that the Halifax Explosion was one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history? Well, we do now—thanks to Heritage Minutes. These iconic mini-films weren’t just commercials; they were a crash course in Canadian history that every ’90s kid remembers.

2. Blockbuster and Chill? Before Streaming Took Over Our Frosty Weekend Nights up North.

The perfect entertainment for snow days and Friday nights up in the great white north.

3. Remember Clearly Canadian? Nothing Hit Quite Like That Crisp, Refreshing Taste and Absolutely Iconic Bottle.

Blackberry Was Always a Fan Favorite—And It’s Still My Personal Pick!

4. MuchMusic in the ’90s | The Ultimate Soundtrack to Our Childhood. Absolutely Iconic.

Electric Circus Taught Us All How to Dance.

5. Canada Yes You Can! The Iconic Campaign That Showcased Our Canadian Pride.

The ’90s were a time of plucky determination and Canadian pride. From aerospace breakthroughs to homegrown innovation, industries like Canadair and Spar Aerospace showcased what Canada could achieve. The Canada: Yes You Can! campaign captured this momentum, reminding young Canadians that their country was full of possibility—and so were they.

6. Remember When Phones Had Keyboards? The Nokia 9000 Was Absolutely Iconic

7. Health Canada Really Had Our Backs With These Surprisingly Impactful Ads

8. The Zone: YTV’s Iconic Show That Defined ’90s Canadian Kids’ TV

This was the best time of my life and i had no idea – Former 90’s Kid

9. Shania Twain! From Small-Town Timmins to Country Music Royalty—She Took Canada by Storm in the ’90s!

Let’s be real—Shania’s Any Man of Mine music video was single-handedly responsible for a surge in crop-tops and cowboy boots!

10. The Canadian Experience Brought Canadian Storytelling to Life in the ’90’s.

Brought to you here by none other than the late Donald Sutherland, sharing a classic Maritime fishing story—Absolutely Iconic.

11. Street Cents | The Canadian Show That Taught ’90s Kids How to Spend Smart and Think Sharp.

Street Cents helped Canadian Kids Navigate Money, Media, and much more.

I used to watch this show every morning – J. Mantenua

12. Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod Were Absolutely Iconic—They Taught Us How to Keep Fit and Have Fun!

We all heard the tips… but did we actually listen?

13. Tim Hortons at Christmas | The ’90s Holiday Commercial That Still Warms Our Hearts.

And of course, those classic Tim Hortons coffee mugs—Absolutely Iconic Christmas nostalgia.

14. The “House Hippo” | The PSA That Taught Us Not to Believe Everything We Saw on TV—Sound Advice Even Today

The “House Hippo” was a Canadian public service announcement (PSA) from 1999 that humorously depicted a fictional tiny hippopotamus living in Canadian homes.

15. Second Cup | Canada’s Answer to Starbucks That Fueled the ’90s Coffee Boom

While Second Cup once dominated Canadian street corners, its presence has dwindled in recent years, with many locations closing their doors. Yet, for those who grew up in the ’90s, it will always be fondly remembered for its rich mochas, cozy atmosphere, and those perfectly satisfying pastries that made every coffee run feel like a treat.

What are your favorite ’90s memories? Drop a comment and let’s keep the nostalgia going!