View From the Legislature

Canada Day celebrations are taking place across our region and across the country this weekend and as always there is a great deal to celebrate. It can be easy to take for granted the many things that living in Canada offers. The ability to live freely and to be presented with economic opportunities is common place in Canada even though in many parts of the world that is not the case.

But even in Canada you do not need to go back too many generations to see the sacrifice that so many have made to make our country among the best places to live in the world. Earlier this month Canadians marked the incredible sacrifice of a generation of Canadians who offered up their young lives for our freedom. The 75th Anniversary of D-Day, when 14,000 Canadians landed on Juno Beach for the battle of Normandy, was marked on June 6th. The casualties were unbearable and those few veterans who remain from that battle, even today, are reluctant to speak of what they saw.

It is truly impossible for the vast majority of Canadians to understand the level of courage those young Canadians had. But that doesn’t prevent us from being grateful. And that gratitude can be shown in the appreciation for the many privileges we have in Canada today, and that are celebrated during Canada Day.

The country that our soldiers left to defend during the Second World War has changed in countless ways. And yet, there are still many things that remain the same. Now, as then, Canada is seen as one of the most desirable countries to come to begin a new life. We remain a country that is seen as a standard for freedom and democracy. We are a country that has matured from our roots to a truly independent nation.

And we are a country that seemingly has grown more patriotic and more comfortable with public displays of passion for our nation. While Canadians are still known for their trademark humility, the country comes together quickly in times of need, in times of sorrow and in times of celebration. Whether it is coming together to fight floods and fires, or celebrating a basketball victory with chants of “We The North”, Canadians understand and appreciate that there is something special about Canada and about being Canadian.

As you celebrate Canada Day this weekend, take the time to be thankful for the incredible country that we live in. And take a moment as well to be grateful to those Canadians who have given in so many different ways over our history to make Canada such a wonderful place. Happy Canada Day!