Canada Rocks!

Canada Flag

With Canada Day just around the corner, like many Canadians I am thinking about what it means to be Canadian. To me, being Canadian means being AWESOME in so many ways!  Here are a few of the things of which I am most proud and grateful.

  • Personal freedom – to travel, freedom of expression, freedom to marry who you want, how to dress, what religion to follow and what political party to support
  • Laws to protect our citizens – Privacy laws; laws against theft, white collar crime, rape, domestic violence, child pornography
  • “Progressive” and continually progressing rights and equality of all peoples – acknowledgment and fair treatment to people of all ethnicities, religions, gender, age, sexual orientation, social economic status
  • Education – everyone in Canada has the opportunity to receive a free education to grade 12
  • Health care –   If you are bleeding, you can get free stiches; if you break your leg, you receive a free exam, x-ray and cast.  In even the worst cases, that require an overnight or multiple overnight stays, it is of no “cash out of pocket” to you
  • No matter who you are, you are able to access to food, clean drinking water, electricity, heat and air conditioning
  • Nature! Thousands of miles of natural forest, prairies and habitat
  • More Nature! Lakes, rivers, streams and falls
  • Social media – we are allowed to conduct and participate in this technology in Canada
  • Media – freedom to report, watch, read
  • Great beer, better wine, maple syrup, BC salmon, Maritime lobster
  • Timmies!
  • Canadian Whisky
  • Qualities we are known for as a country: Polite, Respectful, Thoughtful, Generous, Smart, Funny
  • Stable government and voting rights
  • Armed forces – to protect us at home and those that need our help
  • Our incredible natural resources and products
  • Newfie accents
  • Canadian girls
  • Intense seasons that build our character
  • Incredible musicians – Leonard Cohen, Celine Dion, Neil Young, B.T.O., The Watchmen, The Hip, David Foster and a vast array of talent in every musical domain
  • CBC and Don Cherry
  • Hockey
  • Amateur sports and super athletes
  • Terry Fox, Dan Akroyd, David Suzuki, Jim Carrey, Mike Meyers, Michael J. Fox, Rick Hansen
  • B.C.’s beauty, Alberta mountains, Saskatoon’s bridges
  • Toronto Blue Jays and Raptors
  • The Kids in the Hall
  • Winnipegger’s humour

I am most proud to be a Canadian because most of us are immigrants from somewhere, yet we can all call Canada home. I am Canadian because of a smart decision my great-grandfather D.L. made.  He decided to leave Russia to bring his family to Canada for a better life.  Thank you D.L.!  I know how fortunate my entire family and extended family are because of this courageous and selfless move that he made so many years ago.

Happy Canada Day!

 

 


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