On Wednesday, Canadians across the country celebrated Canada Day. Since becoming a country in 1867, so much has changed in our nation. But almost from the birth of our country, it has been a privileged land. Despite a rigorous climate, Canada provided its early settlers a place that was abundant with resources and from which, with hard work, a good life could be made.
For many, the greatest attraction to Canada was freedom–the freedom to earn a living, to speak freely and to practice religion freely. Today, while much has changed from the days of the early settlers, Canada still stands as a bright beacon of freedom and prosperity. We are reminded almost every week from news around the world the freedoms that we enjoy that citizens in many other countries are still fighting for.
Many of the new Canadians coming to our country come for the same reasons that early settlers did. They are either coming for the ability to create a more prosperous life for themselves and their families or to be able to live in a country that celebrates freedom.
Many of us have only ever experienced one system of government and one type of economy. The ability to freely elect civic, provincial and federal leaders is perhaps something we take for granted as is the ability to work for profit. The freedom we have to publicly practice the religion of our choice is something we probably never give a second thought to. Yet for many citizens of the world, these political, economic and religious freedoms are not part of their daily life.
One of the benefits to having new Canadians come to our region is that they provide those of us who have always called Canada home a first hand reminder of the difficulties that citizens in other countries face. Their real life experience help all of us remember why our country is one of the best in the world and help us from taking those freedoms and prosperity for granted.
Canada remains one of the greatest countries in the world. Each of us has a responsibility to work to make it even better, but we all also have reason to celebrate what it has become, and those who have helped make it great.
800 Attend Annual Constituency BBQ
On Monday evening my wife Kim and I hosted the annual Steinbach Constituency BBQ where we served just over 800 people, a record turnout. Thank you to those who were able to come out to the BBQ. We appreciated your attendance and support. If you were unable to attend, we look forward to seeing you next June at the 7th annual BBQ.
