Happy Canada Day

I’m writing this in a Canadian institution, Tim Horton’s while my wife is making use of another Canadian institution, namely free healthcare at the local hospital. (She is fine, just a routine appointment).

As we celebrate Canada’s birthday, let us also think about all the things that Canada and Canadians do for ourselves and the world.

Let us think about indigenous people on whose land we are on. In London, Ontario where I am writing this, it is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Attawandaron (Neutral), and Wendat peoples. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties. 

Let us also think about those in our armed forces both serving and who have paid the ultimate price.

Let us think about those in critical and not so critical services who are working today.

Let us think about those who are suffering, whether the death or sickness of a loved one to just trying to get through the day.

Canada is a great country but we also have challenges still to overcome. If we take the energy and enthusiasm we have on this day and apply it to tomorrow, the next day and into the future, there is nothing we can’t solve.

Whatever side of the political spectrum we all unite in this day. Let’s take this forward and solve things like homelessness, universal health care and clean water for all Canadians. There are solutions to all of these problems. Us and our appointed representatives simply have to have the will to do it.

When people ask “Why should we do these things?” We respond “Because we are Canadian and it’s the right thing to do.”

Happy Canada Day.