From Line 49 to the Starting Line: Suzie McNeil Joins Burlington’s Terry Fox Run

At this year’s Terry Fox Run in Burlington, participants will once again be moved by the powerful voice of Canadian singer Suzie McNeil as she performs the national anthem. But behind the performance is a deeply personal story. One rooted in music, memory, and meaning.

McNeil’s latest album, Line 49, reimagines iconic Canadian songs through a soulful lens. The creative process behind the album was as playful as it was inventive. She describes experimenting by pairing familiar Canadian hits with the feel of classic soul tracks. Blending eras and genres to see what clicked. For example, The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” took on new life when imagined through the rhythm of Wilson Pickett’s “Land of 1000 Dances,” while Corey Hart’s “Never Surrender” found a surprising match in the emotional tone of Solomon Burke’s “Cry to Me.” The result is a collection that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new.

Yet Line 49 is more than a creative project, it’s a tribute. Dedicated to her late father, the album carries a strong emotional current. McNeil shares that there were moments during recording when she became overwhelmed with emotion, reflecting on which songs he would have loved most. She believes Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” would have been his favourite. Describing him as stoic yet quietly proud, she paints a picture many can relate to: a parent whose support was felt more in presence than in words.

That emotional connection extends beyond the studio and into her performances, particularly at events like the Terry Fox Run. Having lost her father to cancer and knowing many others affected by the disease, McNeil feels a deep sense of purpose when participating. “Any organization or event that raises funds for research is very important to me,” she says. “I am honoured to be a part of it.”

Her approach to singing the national anthem reflects that same sincerity. Rather than rehearsing a fixed performance, she draws energy from the crowd and the moment itself. At the Terry Fox Run, that energy is unique. An inspiring mix of remembrance, resilience, and hope. While the cause is rooted in loss, the atmosphere is one of collective strength and generosity.

McNeil notes that soul music brings a sense of movement and joy, something she hopes listeners carry with them. She envisions Canadians playing the album at cottages, sharing it with friends, and reconnecting with memories tied to these songs. Ultimately, she hopes it sparks pride. Both in the music and in what it means to be Canadian.