Canada Day a time to reflect

Each July 1, Canadians celebrate Canada Day as the “birth” of our country.

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It behooves us to reflect on the creation of the nation, and its history when we celebrate our country. First, there were the Indigenous tribes who roamed the entire continent and were not limited to one geographic area. In Canada, these tribes are identified as First Nations and include– – Algonquin, Iroquois, Sioux, Salish, Athapaskan, the Cree, the Mohawks, the Oneida, the Seneca, and the Inuit of the north.

It is important to remember that without the help of these original peoples, the first Europeans would not have survived in these lands. That is why it is appropriate that their contribution is acknowledged when Canadians gather at meetings and conferences.

I cannot write the history of Canada, but it is important to note that the French and the British came as fur traders and fishermen to settle in North America since the 1500s. The losses in battles in Europe between the French and the British led to France ceding New France to Britain in the late 1700s.The end of an era for France on this continent. Fast forward to 1867, with the passing on the British North America Act, Britain made Canada a Dominion by joining the three colonies of United Province [Ontario and Quebec] New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

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Many changes were implemented since the 1960s, as part of the desire for Canada to be more independent, while remaining part of the Commonwealth. These changes did create some tensions amongst Canadians, but no blood was shed and since then these changes have been embraced.

For example, a new flag was introduced in 1965; a national anthem in 1980 to replace God save the Queen; and Dominion Day became Canada Day. The recognition and celebration of bilingualism and multiculturalism as part of the fabric of our identity when the Canada Act separated Canada from Britain as a “fully sovereign state.”

It is not being partisan to acknowledge our appreciation of the Liberals and Pierre Elliott Trudeau for his vision of Canada.

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The population has changed dramatically to over 41 million and now includes people from all over the world.

Although we accept the changes in the population of diversity and inclusion, there continues to be a divide between urban and rural Canada. Most of the dramatic changes have been in the cities where the majority of new immigrants have settled.

Those who farm, till the soil and provide our food continue to be of European origin.

The other divide is still with Quebec and the rest of Canada, with the one telling sign of the motto used in Quebec,” Je me souviens”- “I remember, I remember the past and I remember the effects of the past grievances on the present.”

Canada is geographically one of the larger countries with half the world’s fresh water in over 2 million lakes.

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There are many similarities between Americans and Canadians, but there are some marked differences. Our government is a constitutional monarchy, we are part of the Commonwealth, we recoil from guns, and we use the metric system.

It is also worth reminding ourselves that we must not be influenced by the rhetoric of our American neighbours, We are NOT BROKE, and we are not merely defined in contrast to Americans.

As Canadians we have matured and become more cosmopolitan. It is true that we are a polite people who are still horrified by the presence of guns. Also, we have revised our anthem to include women and now sing “True patriot love in all of us command.”

Some years ago, I had the privilege of presiding at a Citizenship Ceremony in Kingston. In my remarks to the new Canadians, I reminded them of our two important documents which articulate our rights and freedom: the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms of 1982, and the Multiculturalism Act of 1988.

I pointed out that with these rights come responsibilities of being a good citizen by not only obeying the laws, but by contributing to our communities and society.

So you are a Canadian eh?

Here is some trivia: did you know that the food identified with Canada is the “poutine?” Did you know that our national vegetable is the rhubarb? That the national tree is the maple, but maple syrup is not tied to the Canadian identity. The beaver was chosen as the national symbol in 1975, and it is still true that 90 per cent of Canadians live within 100 miles of the U.S border.

I hope everyone had a happy Canada Day.

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