We make a lot about how Canada is a melting pot of nationalities but we don't say enough about how these various nationalities come to Canada from impoverished or war torn countries and live here in peace. Just as our ancestors did a few generations back!
Someone said that "We (long time citizens) are not children of immigrants. We are citizens", and that's exactly what we all are. We shouldn't forget how difficult it was for our ancestors to pack up their few belongings and cross the ocean to a new country where they might not even have spoken the language. They did it for their children and their children's children.
Our ancestors were no different than the immigrants of today. They wanted a better life and opportunities for their families. That's all most of us want. Yesterday I saw crowds of visible minorities (not sure they're minorities any more, though) wearing Canada t-shirts and celebrating our special day. What a beautiful sight!
Canada has so much to be proud of...a very safe and peaceful country to live in, opportunities for everyone, government health care for everyone (not perfect but no-one suffers because they can't afford to see a doctor), busy cities but surrounded by lots of beautiful countryside, and cultural diversity!
We're known as the "peacekeepers" in the world and not the invaders. That's something to be extra proud of and not to be taken for granted. Few countries carry that title.
I'm a proud and grateful Canadian.
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