It is undeniably a blessed place. Some might say that the wealth of Canada is still the space, water and minerals found so plentifully. They are the foundation of the many happy lives that are lived here. Greatness? Well, Canada has certainly done great things but it is good to remember that all our memorable efforts in war and peace must be seen through the human eyes of our diverse peoples. Opinions may vary. As flesh and blood Canadians, it may be said that our open and democratic ways have served us well. The pioneer leaders of the few souls who inhabited the colonies in 1867 were lucky to escape being gobbled up by the emerging United States at the end of their Civil War. It is said the purchase of Alaska from the Russian Czar by the Americans earlier in 1867 shocked the Queen and Foreign Office. Canada was forged and declared a Confederation within three months of the American move.
PEACE, ORDER, GOOD GOVERNMENT
Since then we have fought wars and recessions, welcomed immigrants and educated many generations in peace and stability. Who can forget that our founding bywords were “Peace, Order and Good Government.” Some say that’s dull stuff but just ask those who don’t have these things how critical they are. Along the way, Canadian democracy talked Quebec separatism into exhaustion. That was a victory. And it is well to remember that although we nearly all became Americans, it is upon the U.S. that we have relied in modern times for a strong friend against more populated countries which might have wished to poach land from this enormous but sparsely-populated Canada. So far so good. Have a good one.
