The World Needs More Canada

Why The World Needs More Canada

July 1^st was Canada Day! I thought I should at least give some thought to what it means, especially as my neighbors to the south recently celebrated Independence Day.

Sure, I know why we celebrate; it’s the day Canada began… just like that! One day there wasn’t Canada and the next day there was! On June 1^st1867 Mother Britain let four of her colonial brood set off on a course of their own. The British North America Act gave Upper Canada (Ontario), Lower Canada (Quebec), New Brunswick and Nova Scotia a home of their own.

The siblings quarreled from time to time and over the past 143 years things weren’t always perfect but still good enough for others to join them: Manitoba (1870), BC (1871), PEI (1873), Yukon (1898), Alberta (1905) and Newfoundland & Labrador (1949).

It’s become quite a party – HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

But what does all this celebrating mean in the 21st century? Well, as I look out my window in downtown Toronto, I see the world before me: all ethnicities, all cultures, all people… all welcome.

I’m proud of what Canada has become.

As Canada grew up it was enhanced by a wealth of indigenous peoples and breathtaking landscapes. Thankfully, through of the wisdom of our forefathers, Canada set aside some of it’s most precious natural wonders, beginning with Banff National Park in 1883. We remain good custodians of this great land.

Just this past year Canada set aside another 30,000 km2 in Nahanni National Park in the North West Territories. In Canada, few things are pint size. Compare Yellowstone National Park, the largest National Park in the US (8,987 km2), to Wood Bison National Park (44,807 km2) and the magnitude of Canada’s National Parks becomes clear. (Yeah that’s right, I am using the metric system).

Throw in a couple of the world’s largest lakes, the world’s second largest French speaking city (Montreal), 5 ½ time zones, 8 distinct climatic regions and flavor all this with the genial hospitality of some 30 million people scattered here and there and you’ve got a winning recipe.

I’ve travelled the world but on the whole I prefer home. And if you haven’t taken the time to visit it, please do. Everyone needs a little Canadian in their blood. One visit to this great land and you’ll feel it. It might hit you fast or seep in slow but this great land will change you.

Collette has a host of escorted tours to help you in your quest to become a little bit Canadian.

PS I’ll be back on the road guiding some Canadian tours this Fall, maybe we’ll run into each other.