I celebrate CANADA DAY every year, full out, with passion and pride. Canada is the greatest country in the world without reservation.
I fly the Canadian flag at the front of my home to show I am a proud Canadian.
For eighty years, I have been able to live a safe and secure life here. I have made a good living working in my chosen profession and I have been able to live, travel, do whatever I have wanted to do. This really is a wonderful country.
I have been to every province and touched the waters on both coasts. I have visited every province and met wonderful people everywhere. In Newfoundland, I met the richest guys on the island. It was a hot, muggy summer day at a dock of a small coastal town. A couple of Newfoundlanders were enjoying the day, drinking beer and gabbing. One offered me a beer. I accepted but when I wanted to pay him for the beer, he was nearly insulted. He just said, “Enjoy it ‘b’y’.” These gues were not wealthy Newfies financially but they were the richest guys in the world in spirit.
I have had many such good experiences from St. John’s to Saskatoon to Vancouver Island. It has been wonderful and reinforces my conviction that Canada is the greatest country in the world.
We have so much and we share much of it with all our fellow Canadians. We have governments that safeguard our rights and try to ensure the country is safe and great to live in. We have schools, hospitals and services that are available across the country. But most important of all, we have freedom, freedom to go anywhere, anytime, speak without fear of reprisals, freedom to do whatever our finances permit.
Canada is not a country without problems. I recognize life is difficult for some Canadians who struggle day-to-day, economically and maybe socially also. But I believe our governments at all levels are doing the best they can to make life better for all of us. We try to ensure life is as livable as possible for everyone living in Canada.
Our history has included turbulent times with undesirable people, an inescapable factor in the development of any nation. However, we have had and continue having political leaders dedicated to improving whatever they can.
The good about Canada outweighs the bad. I celebrate and enjoy the good.
I am celebrating Canada Day. My Canadian flag is raised with pride and passion. Canada is the greatest country in the world and I am proud to be a Canadian.
To paraphrase another leader, “Vive le Canada libre!”
Richard
