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Happy 146th Birthday Canada!

By Rupert Johnson

It is indeed remarkable that in spite of the perennial threat of separatism, Canada has remained intact for 146 years. To use the memorable words of Pierre Trudeau, Canada’s erstwhile Prime Minister: “The land is strong.”

It’s worth noting that June 4th marked my 46th year in Canada. And it is also worth noting that my endearing love for this country has never faded. I have always embraced the July 1st celebrations with a great deal of pride and enthusiasm.

I am confident and honest enough to say that Canada is not an idyllic paradise that many of us tend to dream of because there is no paradisiacal country on the face of this earth. But when I compare and contrast Canada with all the other countries in the world today there is no other place that I would rather be.

Yes, it is extremely challenging for immigrants to get a foothold in this country on their arrival due to cultural differences and pockets of racism. Sure, there are innumerable difficulties in securing a steady job to provide for one’s family. Sure, it is difficult for a new immigrant to adjust to a way of life that is fundamentally different from what he or she is accustomed to. But with grit and determination many of these difficulties can be overcome.

Let us remember that in terms of cultural diversity, educational opportunities, health care facilities, universal old age security allowances, political stability and democratic rights and freedoms it is hard to find a country that is on par with Canada. It is no exaggeration to say that with government sponsored initiatives Canada has moved rapidly into the category of an egalitarian society.

Although Canada has embraced the free enterprise economic system, it has also embraced the policy of direct government involvement in such things as infrastructure projects, transportation facilities, and also the establishment of regulatory agencies. This pragmatic blend of both private and public initiatives has certainly put Canada in the category of an efficiently run and balanced country.

It may be said that Canada is one of the few countries in which the security forces have exercised great restraint in dealing with protest movements. This restraint has certainly prevented widespread loss of life. Compare this situation with the management of protests in war torn countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Canada has its list of shortcomings such as pockets of covert and overt racism, and the fact that many highly educated new immigrants are often unable to find jobs in their respective field. Notwithstanding, there is no other country that I would rather reside in at this time.

Happy 146th birthday Canada! And I sincerely hope that this caring and compassionate country will live in perpetuity.

About The Author

Rupert Johnson can be reached at: r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca.

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