Canada turns 149 years old on July 1 and it’s a great reason to celebrate being Canadian.
That’s because we’re a special breed of people, eh!
Most people in our country experience the cold of winter and the difficulties that Old Man Winter brings us in terms of temperatures, snow and ice.
Perhaps those on the Coast or in the Lower Mainland don’t experience our four or five months of winter, but most of them have had to deal with cold feet, shovelling snow and icy roads.
Winter makes Canadians a tougher folk overall because we not only endure and overcome these challenges, we also like to play in our winter wonderland – whether it’s sledding, skiing, fishing or just getting outside for a bit of fresh air.
This helps make Canadians a little more inclusive, as we’re willing to accept people for who they are – folks who are trying to stay warm and are willing to help each other accomplish that goal.
Maybe it’s because we have a relatively small population in this vast country we live in, but Canadians are a friendly people.
Maybe this is why we tend to be more forgiving of minor transgressions and misunderstandings.
People from other countries notice that, and they like being greeted with a smile and a willingness to provide assistance.
So, generally speaking, Canadians are happy, helpful and respectful, and these traits and principles have been passed down through the generations.
This, undoubtedly, is why people want to come to Canada to start a new life or escape from lives of strife and misery.
We should be proud to be Canadian because of everything we have – freedom, democracy, great natural resources, abundant water, clean air, public health care and a great education system.
Therefore, we need to ensure we’re protecting and securing what we have, and making sure there is something to pass on to our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
We need to be involved in what’s going on around us.
We need to make sure we’re not taking for granted the gifts our parents and their parents worked so hard to give us.
When we go to the Canada Day celebrations – at the 108 Mile Heritage Site, Forest Grove, Clinton or the Interlakes Service Centre – on July 1, we should take a couple of minutes to pause and take in the community celebrations and, hopefully, realize what is happening around us.
These are family members, friends and neighbours who are celebrating being Canadian.
Together we are a community and we have to look after each other to ensure our collective interests and needs are being met and protected.
What we have needs to be protected.
Enjoy Canada Day – we deserve it.
