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HAPPY CANADA DAY
This year, 2008, we celebrate Canada Day on Tuesday, July 1st. The banks, government offices along with the major malls will close their doors. I wonder how many companies will give their employees Monday off so that they can enjoy a three day holiday?
Our country has sure changed since 1867. From two founding peoples, French/English who were welcomed ashore by the native population we are now a very diverse country of many peoples. A rainbow of colours and nationalities from all over the world who have chosen Canada to be their home.
Mandarin is now the second most popular language spoken in the GTA. It doesn't matter if you are Black or White or any of the many shades in between. All are welcome to practice their religion according to one's own beliefs. The more we learn about our fellow man the more we understand that we are the same.
All people yearn for a land of peace and freedom where we are appreciated for what we are: not where we came from. Canada is one of the few countries in the world where economic/social upward mobility is attainable. If you are born poor then you can be and do anything you want if you but try.
Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada, was the eighteenth son of a poor man who sold fire wood for a living. Celine Dion, came from humble beginnings and she has found fame and fortune as a result of her musical talents. Our present Governor General, Michaelle Jean, family escaped from the oppressive regime in Haiti when she was eleven to find freedom and opportunity in Canada.
Canadians can look back with pride remembering family who bravely left their homes behind to strike on their own in a new land. It is not easy to rip out our deep roots casting fear to the winds to embrace the customs and language of a new country.
Maclean's Special Canada Day Report on How Canada Stole the American Dream is interesting. "Believe it or not, we have more wealth than Americans, even though we work shorter hours. We drink more often but we live longer and have fewer diseases. We have more sex but we have fewer teen pregnancies along with fewer sexually transmitted diseases. We spend more time with family and friends, and more time exploring the world. We are not as prone to break the law."
Free universal health care for everyone regardless of one's means allows us to live longer two years longer then our American neighbours. We have an excellent publicly funded elementary/secondary education absolutely free for all.
The success of a country is not made up of the number of millionaires per capita. Dare to compare and you will find that the average Joe/Jane in Canada have one of the best qualities of life in the world.
To-day, July 1st we have the right to walk with our heads held high. Hell, we are Canadians eh.
Len Lesser