Canada Day: Time To Reflect And To Celebrate

July 01, 2008

As Canada turns 141 on July 1 and as we celebrate across the country,  Canada Day offers us a time to reflect on what it means to be a citizen of this great nation, a country chosen time and time again as the best place in the world to live.

Millions of new immigrants to Canada have found it to be a land of opportunity, a destination of choice in escaping poverty, war and despotism. For them this day is indeed a very special day and a good reason to celebrate.

Since Confederation it is the people who have made this country great.

More than two million men and women have served in uniform to protect our freedom and lifestyle. More than 115,000 of them paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

Not that long ago the CBC asked Canadians to choose the ‘greatest Canadian.’ I think it’s a reflection of who we are as Canadians that of the top 10 (out of 140,000 people nominated!) four were politicians with truly nation-changing legacies (Tommy Douglas, the father of Medicare, Lester B. Pearson, the father of peacekeeping, Sir. John A. MacDonald, father of the nation and Pierre Trudeau, who gave us the Charter of Rights and Freedoms).

The others? A sports star (Wayne Gretzky), a medical researcher (Sir Frederick Banting), a cancer crusader (Terry Fox), an environmentalist (David Suzuki), a broadcaster (Don Cherry) and an inventor (Alexander Graham Bell). Each one of that final 10 had an impact on our nation. However, while they may have topped a poll saying they were ‘the greatest,’ it is the veterans, unsung heroes, seniors, all citizens of this country that have made and continue to make Canada a great nation.

What do you think?