A series of tiny scale models titled, “Little Canada Beyond Our Borders,” features iconic Canadian landmarks. The first of which is a replica of The Canadian National Vimy Memorial. [Little Canada]

It’s now been 26, explains the proud Canadian.

Originally from the Netherlands, one of his fondest childhood memories is being enamoured by Madurodam in The Hague, a miniature park and tourist attraction hosting tiny scale models of Dutch landmarks. Such was its profound impact on Brenninkmeijer, who spent some 10 years in the retail and investment business, that he ultimately replicated its micro magic in Toronto, founding Little Canada.

The displays within aren’t called miniatures, but “destinations,” seven of which depict iconic Canadian landmarks. A recent series called “Little Canada Beyond Our Borders,” however, does what its name suggests and highlights “where our nation played a significant role in the world.” First in the series was a tribute to Vimy Ridge. Now, in recognition of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, Brenninkmeijer has embarked on a journey to mark that occasion.

On May 15, 2025, Little Canada unveiled its latest scale model—supported and sponsored by Canso Investment Counsel—itself portraying a new outdoor exhibition in Mississauga, Ont. That exhibition in turn explores Canadian efforts in delivering freedom and liberty to the Dutch populace in 1944-45. Speaking to Legion Magazine, Brenninkmeijer discussed the poignancy of the destination.

About his personal connection to the Dutch liberation:

Being a Dutch citizen myself and listening to all the stories that my mother and maternal grandfather would tell me, I’ve long known the stories of bravery and suffering endured in the Netherlands, particularly near the end of the war when there was no food. My mother would recall having to eat tulip bulbs to survive. If it wasn’t for the Canadians and other allies, I don’t know where I’d be.

About the Mississauga exhibition and Little Canada exhibit

The 80 years of Freedom trail opened Monday [May 12, 2025] in Mississauga at the Small Arms [Inspection] Building and across the surrounding area. There are 20 hedgehogs, which is a military term [for anti-tank obstacles], where 20 stories of Canadian liberators and another 20 stories of liberated Dutch citizens are told.

I was fortunate enough to be invited by the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands here in Toronto, Harman Idema, to be one of the three patrons for the park in Mississauga. As soon as I was invited, the idea [of replicating the outdoor exhibition in miniature form] sprang into my head. It was perfect to me, as I then had good reason and a way of telling the [Dutch liberation] story at Little Canada.

One of the biggest challenges was figuring out how to depict war in an acceptable way without going into gory detail. Depicting the park was an ideal way forward.

What you see at Little Canada is the same as what you would see at Mississauga. We tell six of those 40 stories on the backdrop, which guests are able to read and understand, and we invite them through a QR code and a booklet to read the rest.

The park [outdoor exhibition] in Mississauga, as well as our exhibit here at Little Canada, are to remind everybody of what happened, how fickle freedom is, and how we have to continue to work at it. We have to uphold the values and ensure that we don’t forget the role Canada played in the liberation of the Netherlands.

About future plans at Little Canada

Vimy Ridge was the first [in the Canada Beyond Our Borders series]. Actually, it wasn’t really the first as we created [a replica of] Fort York and donated it to Fort York [National Historic Site]. At one point in the future, they will display it there.

I’m hoping the next one will depict Canada’s role in United Nations peacekeeping missions. It’s too soon to know what it will depict exactly, but I quite like the idea of Cyprus. I’ll let the team here decide; they have wonderful ideas on how to do it.

This abridged interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.