Speaking from her mother's home in Trenton, Ont., one day after receiving full parole, Brenda Martin said she wanted to thank "every Canadian" who helped her return home.

But in an exclusive interview with CTV W-FIVE's Paula Todd, she also defended herself from those who criticized her personal life and the attention her case received.

"Unless you've walked in my shoes for one minute, you don't understand what the system in Mexico is like," Martin said. "It could have happened to anyone."

Martin, 51, returned to Canada earlier this month after spending two years in a Mexican prison. She had just recently been convicted for accepting the proceeds of crime from her former employer Alyn Waage's Internet fraud scheme.

Martin was criticized by some after it was learned that the government hired a private jet to the cost of about $83,000 to fly her back to Canada.

"I have never asked for anything. I was shocked," Martin said of the private jet. "I would have taken a canoe back here with one oar, I would have ridden a donkey.

"I would like to thank the federal government," she said.

Martin also said that reports that she had an alcohol problem prior to her arrest in Mexico were overstated.

"I've drank socially, maybe a little over, sometimes," she said. "The biggest drinking problem I ever had is when I worked for Alyn Waage because of all the stress."

She did admit to a DUI conviction in Canada about 20 years ago, however.

Some of the conditions of Martin's parole include disclosing her financial records, and not having contact with convicted criminals.

Martin said she wants to get back to being a chef and caterer, perhaps run a small business of her own. She says that she is looking forward to the small joys of freedom.

"Get up, go to work, make a living, have friends, socialize, sleep, drink, watch a movie," she said of her plans.

"I'm just hoping that life will soon begin to feel normal."