Happy 142nd Canada!

Today is July 1 and for all Canadians, it is our day to celebrate our country, its rich history and the reasons why we love it.  To some, Canada Day is just another holiday.  But to many, especially those who immigrated to Canada, it is a day to celebrate one of the best countries in the world and to reflect on what it means to be Canadian.  Today, we take a look at Canada Day and explore what Canada means to us.  But first, in order to look towards the future, we have to remember the past…

“Canada Day, formerly Dominion Day, is our national day celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867 enactment of the British North America Act of 1867, which united Canada as a single country of 2 former British colonies: Nova Scotia and New Brunswick; and the Province of Canada (Ontario and Quebec).  However, though Canada is regarded as having become a dominion in its own right on that date, the British Parliament at first kept limited rights of political control over the new country, which were shed by stages over the years until the last vestiges were ended in 1982, when the Constitution Act patriated the Canadian constitution.  Canada Day thus differs from Independence Day celebrations in other countries in that it does not commemorate a clear-cut date of complete independence.

As the anniversary of Confederation, Dominion Day, and later Canada Day, was the date set for a number of important events, such as the inauguration of the CBC’s cross-country television broadcast (1958), the flooding of the Saint Lawrence Seaway (1958), the first colour television transmission in Canada (1966), the inauguration of the Order of Canada (1967), and the establishment of “O Canada” as the country’s national anthem (1980).”

For someone that was born and raised in Canada, every Canada Day (actually, everyday) I thank God that I’m Canadian.  Despite our country’s flaws (cold winters, winters period, high taxes), you have to admit…we live, if not the best, then one of the best countries in the world.  It comes to me as no surprise that we are constantly ranked in the top spot as the best country to live in by the UN.  It still amazes me when I travel (particularly the US) and see the differences.  You can be guaranteed that one of the first things to come out of an American’s mouth once they find out that you are Canadian is that we have universal health care.  We are among the lucky to access this basic right.  Whereas in the US, they are billed anytime they require some sort of health care (if they don’t have insurance)…even getting checked up at a walk-in clinic, they are billed.  Sometimes we take our health care for granted, but we should be grateful that we have it.

One of the greatest and proudest traits of being from this extraordinary country is our bilingualism and multiculturalism.  We have 2 official languages that are spoken at the federal level: English and French.  Canada has the highest per capita immigration rate in the world.  Governor General of Canada The Lord Tweedsmuir was an early champion of multiculturalism in Canada; from his installation speech in 1935 onwards, he maintained and in speeches and over the radio recited his ideas that ethnic groups:

“should retain their individuality and each make its contribution to the national character.  The strongest nations are those that are made up of different racial elements.”

Canadian multiculturalism is looked upon with admiration by leaders outside the country, such as the Aga Khan. In a 2002 interview with the Globe and Mail, the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims described Canada as:

“the most successful pluralist society on the face of our globe and is a model for the world.”

He explained that the experience of Canadian governance, its commitment to pluralism and its support for the rich multicultural diversity of its peoples is something that must be shared and would be of benefit societies in other parts of the world. With this in mind, he went on in 2006 to establish the Global Centre for Pluralism in partnership with the Government of Canada. The Centre seeks to export the Canadian experience by promoting pluralist values and practices in culturally diverse societies worldwide, with the aim of ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to realize his or her full potential as a citizen, irrespective of cultural, ethnic or religious differences.

As someone born from immigrants of Hong Kong, I have never felt a sense of not belonging here.  I think if anything, that is what Canada means to me and why I love it.  Unlike many other countries where it is a melting pot, here in Canada, we embrace other cultures and make it uniquely Canadian.  We are a champion of human rights, although not perfect.  We are one of the few countries in the world that recognizes and embraces gay marriage.  We welcome any and all who seek refuge, and embrace those who seek a land of opportunity and freedom.  Whereas the US might be considered as the “protector of the free world”…Canada is the guiding light in a sometimes dark world.

Happy Canada Day…Bonne fête du  Canada!