Happy Canada Day!

On this July 1, Canada Day, we see and hear many expressions of pride in our great country.

What impresses me, also, is the fact that through the entire year, we hear people comment on what a great country we live in and how proud we are of our past and present and our aspirations for the future. We acknowledge that life in general and the life of any country - no matter how great - has its ups and downs, its challenges and its difficult transitions. Despite these, we never lose the sense of pride and hope. For each of us there is a personal list of qualities and facts on which we base our pride for Canada.

On this day, I take a moment to identify the particular things that stand out in my mind as sources of my pride. They are as follows (not in any special order):

1. We are a caring society.
2. We have in our constitution a Charter of Rights and Freedoms which stands as an example to the world.
3. We have an excellent health care system.
4. Our parliamentary system allows for the smooth transition of power when required following an election, and most of our politicians treat each other, even their opponents, with respect most of the time.
5. We are a pluralistic society which treats people equally most of the time without regard to religious beliefs, race, country of origin, gender, and sexual orientation.
6. We are a society which recognizes its shortcomings and is always working to improve in areas such as human rights, environmental improvements, economic progress, civility among political adversaries.
7. We resisted pressure towards becoming involved in the unnecessary Iraq war.
8. We are firm in our resolve to withdraw from the combat arena in Afganistan, which has not contributed to the stabilization of that country, and which has killed many Canadians.