Happy Canada Day!

Today kicks off the Ultimate Blog Challenge—a month of posting every day and supporting each other along the way. Since today is July 1st and Canada Day, I’ll be dedicating this month to sharing all things Canadian!

Happy Canada Day!

 Every year on July 1st, Canadians from coast to coast to coast come together to celebrate Canada Day - a day that marks the confederation of our country in 1867. For many, July 1st is about celebrating the principles upon which Canada was built - democracy, peace, and respect for human rights.

What sets Canada apart is not only its vast and breathtaking landscapes but also its people. From the snow-capped mountains of British Columbia to the rugged coastline of Newfoundland, our country is home to some of the most diverse and beautiful environments in the world. But what truly makes Canada special is the spirit of its citizens—the generosity, the openness, the diversity, and the unwavering belief in fairness and equality.

Canada is a place where people from all walks of life can come together and contribute to a larger shared vision. It’s a country where multiculturalism is celebrated, where communities support one another, and where a sense of belonging is fundamental to our national identity.

How Canadians Celebrate

While Canadians don't wear their patriotism on their sleeves, we are a very patriotic bunch.  We just show it in a much quieter way.  Today we will don our red and white with much pride. The Canadian flag will be flying everywhere.  We may attend a Canada Day celebration, with the biggest being in our Nation's Capital, Ottawa, or we may catch the festivities on TV.  In all likelihood the day will include a BBQ with family or friends - where there's a good chance that cases of 2-4s will be present. (I'll let you google that one.) The day will finish off with fireworks, either a big municipal display, or a smaller neighbourhood one (and yes, in Canada we use the British spelling with a "u" in many of our words), followed by a very emotional singing of our National Anthem -"Oh, Canada".

While Canada Day is usually a time for national pride, joy, and celebration, this year feels a bit different as we face the challenges posed by Donald Trump and his sycophants. There has been a shift in our collective thinking. Canadians are standing stronger, bolder, and more patriotic than ever, united in our commitment to not back down in the face of the bully in the White House.

I am proud to be Canadian, and live in one of the greatest countries on Earth!

Happy Canada Day to all!