Part 1
I cannot think of any other country that I would rather live in than Canada. And I can't think of any other nationality I would rather be than Irish-Canadian. Okay, just Canadian. So on the eve of Canada Day, once known in my world as Dominion Day, I want to not only wish her (him? it?) a happy birthday, I want to list reasons why Canada is a great country.
There should be no illusions as to the future of our country. There is no wisdom in sticking our collective heads in the sand and thinking everything is okay; everything is not okay: Like every other nation in the developing world, we are facing challenges that many never saw, even a generation ago. Or, better stated, maybe they did see them, but no one listened. It would take a book, not a column, to lay out a reasonable blueprint for Canada's future.
The nature of this column is more along the line of one-liners, not heavy tomes, so I will refrain from pontificating about some of the fears I have for the greatest country in the world. Today's column is more of a look back, with the hope that past successes can be parlayed into future ones.
So the following are ten reasons why I love this country, with appropriate kudos and cautions. Take them in the spirit in which they're given.
Its geographical diversity. I like mountains (like Switzerland), but I like more than just mountains. I like warm weather (like Hawaii), but a little snow and ice and rain brings on variety. Perhaps no province captures this more than British Columbia. A cursory trip across Canada shows its diversity
Among other things, I like all four seasons. Denmark would be okay for a brief holiday; Arizona would great for about a week or two; But too much of the same would simply be too much. From mountains to deserts, and everything in between, such diversity allows for a welcome change of seasons.
Its historical depth. Boring History? Are you kidding me? You're reading the wrong books, watching the wrong channels, listening to the wrong teachers. Check your sources, please. Explorers, pioneers, immigrants, and entrepreneurs have all added colour to our past. Foreign workers, for that matter, have helped make this country what it is.
On the topic of explorers, as an example; you'd be thrilled with their exploits. Check out the foreign workers that populated the prairies 100 years ago—you know, the ones who settled down here, the ones you call grandpa and grandma. Try discovering all the past inventions that came from Canadian minds. We have a very rich history.
Its cultural scope. (See previous paragraph.) Pockets of different ethnic groups are scattered from St. John's, NF, to Victoria, BC. This ethnicity should be celebrated, but within the grand scheme of things. We celebrate differences through religion, community festivals, ethnic neighbourhoods, but must still see the commonality of being Canadian —a term that is unfortunately being re-defined as we write.
This, of course, is not the same as multiculturalism, a ticking time bomb. Either we band together, despite our differences, or we isolate ourselves from each other, and increase our differences, at the expense of our commonality as Canadians. Language, culture, and religion all factor into making Canada—for better or worse.
Its spiritual freedom. At this point, we are still a nation for the right of all religions to practice their faith(s). I'm not Sikh, Mormon, New Ager, Evolutionist (just a smattering example of some religions), but I allow them the right to practice their faith. I certainly don't embrace their perspective, but, hey, this is Canada, so we tolerate each other, don't we?
We're not Iraq...yet. Curtailing said freedom, especially in the area of lifestyle choices (my, was that put nicely or what?), is an evil that will be all religions' downfall. From my perspective, the more we turn from the Judeo-Christian basis for law, justice, and freedom of speech, the worse off we'll be.
Part 2
Its financial foundation. Compared to the other G-7 nations (once know as G-8 when it included Russia), Canada has become a marvel in the world's eyes when it comes to finances. I have no idea exactly what Harper and his people have done, but they've done it right. I think low interest rates are one of the key factors.
The nations of the world should sit up and take notice how the Conservative government has weathered the financial storm over the past decade. Can you imagine an NDP government in Ottawa succeeding like this? I didn't think so. I don't think we appreciate how strong our economy is, compared to other nations
Its political perspective. My ideal would be to have a conservative government in power, both in Ottawa and in every province, with the left (or the liberals: the terms are interchangeable) in opposition. You've read it here before: Never, ever reverse it; we've seen too many provinces and the havoc the left-leaning governments have wreaked.
As you are well aware, I lean to the right of things—conservative morally, fiscally, socially, among others. Things work better for all, in my biased opinion, when things are, well, right.
Its moral roots. The Canada I was raised in, of course, is not the Canada I live in--those good old days, when right was right and wrong was wrong. Every institution, from the church to the courts to the family (even the arts), were held to higher standards back then. It was a safer place to live, think, and inhale.
There is a spirit of tolerance today, but that's all it is, namely, a spirit. There's no substance to it. It is a selective and inconsistent tolerance, and far too many people have been duped into thinking we're a better society because of it. No, friend, we are actually far worse off than we were even ten years ago.
Its natural wealth. Primary resources, from fishing to logging to farming to mining to fishing again (from British Columbia to Newfoundland in that statement). Drag it, log it, harvest it, drill it, extract it, then drag it again. We are rich beyond our limited ability to pull prosperity out of the water, ground, or air. We need to get back to improving those fundamentals.
I am grateful for those men and women who risk life and limb to fish, log, farm, mine, and fish again. They are an essential service to extracting all the varied wealth that lies at our feet. We need to do whatever we can to continue to support them. Reigning in environmental extremism and managing said resources responsibly has also been a key factor.
Its global influence. We're not much when it comes to, say, soccer, I suppose, but the world is much bigger and more needy than a soccer field. We have an army, but there is more to solving the world's problems than shooting the enemy. Canada has always been the leader in humanitarian aid and peacekeeping support. The world is a healthier and safer place because of Canada.
We're usually one of the first two countries to rush to the aid of others when natural disaster strikes. I've said this before, but the freedom-loving democratic countries certainly have it right when it comes to helping their fellow-humans. Rarely, if ever, do we see those Muslim-based (and socialist-based, for that matter) countries rise to the occasion.
Its personal appreciation. I was born here almost 60 years ago and I have no plans to leave. The thought of the Bahamas appeals to me, but only for the month of February. I need to stay somewhere where I can whine about the weather, hockey, price of wheat, the price of gas, and politics in a meaningful way. And if not meaningful, at least in a loud way.
So, Canada, you're one hundred and forty-seven years old. I hope I'm as robust as you are, if and when I reach that age. When you were my age, it was the “Roarin' Twenties,” and it would be nice to hear you roar again.
Happy birthday to you, Canada
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