Canada Day: Fête du Canada

Long may she fly
 

Happy Canada day to all! Today marks the 145th anniversary of the formation of the Confederation of Canada, when the four British North American colonies of Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec joined together. The country added more territories and provinces as time passed, but it wasn't until the Dominion of Newfoundland (now Newfoundland and Labrador) joined that the country took it's final shape. 

Canada hasn't always been it's own country: all of our external affairs were controlled by Great Britain until the 1930's, and it wasn't until 1982 that we repatriated our constitution (fancy way of saying we went to Britain and asked nicely for it back). With that we got the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a very proud document indeed.

The 20th century was a time of amazing social democratic advances: official bilingualism and multiculturalism, universal health care and pensions, and government student loans among them. 

Canadians celebrate Canada Day (usually outdoors) with parades, carnivals, festivals, barbecues, air and maritime shows, fireworks, and music. 

Like most Canadians I love my country deeply and unashamedly, while still worrying that we're not always doing the right things--a pretty Canadian attitude, I think--and I'll take time this Canada Day to count my blessings, see my friends and enjoy the freedom and peace that comes from living in a country of 'order and good government'. I hope you all have a great day as well. 

Fireworks over Vancouver
 

Happy Birthday Canada--you don't look a day over 140. 

 

 

Posted by Captain Canucklehead AT 10:16AM 0 Comments Comments Post A Comment Post A Comment Email Email

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