Our wonderful country is about to celebrate its 150th birthday.
It will be the culmination of the Canada 150 festivities. There has been a lot that has happened across the country already, and more is certain to come, but the biggest celebrations are naturally going to be reserved for July 1.
We hope you’ll take the time to attend a celebration. But more importantly, we hope you’ll take the time to reflect on why you’re proud to live in this country.
We are truly blessed to call Canada our home. It’s why people from around the world come to this country. Yes, in many cases, they come here because there is an opportunity to work and make a living, but many others come to Canada for no other reason to pursue a better life, thanks to the freedoms that our country has to offer.
There are countless tales of refugees who have come here with nothing, have embraced their new home and its traditions, and have ultimately enriched their new community and their new nation.
We have democratic freedoms that are the envy of the rest of the world. We get to vote for the candidate of our choosing. Once you are a Canadian citizen and of legal age, you can vote, regardless of your gender, race, religion, marital status or political beliefs.
We don’t have to worry about gun-toting security guards at polling stations. And we don’t have to worry about voter corruption, with people outside our country quick to question the results.
You might not like the person elected, but it’s rare to see question marks regarding the validity of the result.
Canadians have, over the last 150 years, shown that they can achieve greatness to the same degree as those from other nations. We have excelled in the world of academia and have made significant contributions to science and medicine.
Our soldiers continue to prove they are as well trained as any other nation. Our military has a rich tradition. Not only does this year mark our 150th birthday, but it is also the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, when Canadian soldiers did what the British and the French couldn’t do, and dislodged the German forces from the strategic point in France.
We have thrived in athletics, arts and culture. We have produced some of the world’s funniest people, some of the most talented musicians, some of the finest artists, and, of course, most of its elite hockey players.
But our sporting success extend beyond the hockey arena.
Our country boasts outstanding schools, fabulous educators, great hospitals and skilled doctors and nurses. We have a level of trust in our police officers that is the envy of most in the world.
There’s a certain charm associated with Canada. It’s thanks to the generosity, the modesty and the humour of our people. For whatever reason, Canadians always seem to be conscious of representing their country in a positive manner when travelling abroad, or talking with those from other nations.
Maybe it’s because we want people to know that we’re not Americans. Or maybe it’s because it’s the way we’re raised up here.
We are very, very lucky to live in Canada. Are there issues and problems? Absolutely. And they’re not easy to resolve. But each country has issues. There’s no such thing as a perfect system, a perfect democracy or a perfect country.
And the beautiful thing about Canada is we have the freedom to identify, examine and debate those problems.
The Estevan Mercury is proud to celebrate our country with this special Canada 150 edition. Thanks to the advertisers who supported it, and allowed it to turn out great.
And thanks to our country, for giving us so many reasons to be proud to be Canadian.
So celebrate your country on July 1. Celebrate its triumphs and tribulations, celebrates its achievements and imperfections. But remember how fortunate you are to live here, and to enjoy the freedoms that you have.
