"I have one love - Canada; one purpose - Canada's greatness; one aim - Canadian unity from the Atlantic to the Pacific." – John Diefenbaker
I’m gonna remember where I was on Canada Day 2017 for a long, long time.
I’m gonna assume that you will, too.
As the local wordsmith/shutterbug around these parts, I get to document a lot of cool and interesting occasions, and there’s no question that the events of Outlook’s Canada 150 celebrations will go down on that list in a very prominent position.
It was one for the record books; one of those times in which you’ll look back in maybe five or ten years and think, “Oh yeah, we were in Outlook for that because Canada turned 150!”
Canada Day has a way of bringing out your pride as a Canadian, but everything about the 2017 edition of it was amplified and on a whole other level.
Our nation’s politicians, both past and present, obviously recognize this. For a Canada 150 piece, The Globe and Mail featured views from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former prime ministers Stephen Harper and Paul Martin on Canada’s present, past and future, speaking to where our country has been, where it is now, and where it is going.
I thought some of the views were quite prophetic and appropriate.
“For the past 150 years, Canada has tapped into the ambition, work ethic and ingenuity of its people. We are a country of millions bound together by a spirit of daring and hard work. We are innovators, entrepreneurs and good neighbours. We share dreams, values and the belief that better is always possible.
On the 150th anniversary of Confederation, we celebrate the millions of Canadians who have come together to make our country the strong, prosperous and open place it is today. We also take stock of our progress, where we have fallen short, and the changes we must make.
Great promise and responsibility await Canada.” – Justin Trudeau
“As we mark the sesquicentennial of our Confederation, we as Canadians should stop to reflect upon how fortunate we are. In an era of unprecedented global wealth and opportunity, there is simply no better place to live.
A full appreciation of all we have been given should also lead us to embrace our own responsibilities to those who follow. Are we also ready to make the hard decision s rather than take the easy paths? Are we prepared to dedicate ourselves to great causes in the face of grave challenges? Are we willing to make sacrifices in our own time so that our descendants will continue to enjoy our freedoms in theirs?
If our answers to these questions are yes, and our actions bear out those convictions, then we can be assured that, in another 150 years, Canada will be even stronger and better than it is today.” – Stephen Harper
What do I see for Canada going forward? I don’t know if that can be described right now, but I can tell you what I saw over the last few weeks leading up to and including the Canada Day weekend.
I saw hundreds of people come together to form a living, breathing human Canada flag, a project which hasn’t been seen in Outlook before.
I saw people pay their respects during a ceremony celebrating our country’s veterans; a respectful event of remembrance and tribute.
I saw kids smiling and collecting candy off the street.
I saw a parade celebrating local businesses, organizations and residents.
I saw about a dozen different cultures represented during the celebrations, highlighting how diverse this community is from a background perspective.
I saw those different cultures come together to help sing the national anthem during the opening ceremonies in perhaps the most important rendition of O Canada sung in Outlook ever.
I saw a Canadian classic of a musical play come to life by some of this area’s most talented performers.
I saw fireworks that capped a wonderful Canada Day and drew a massive crowd of vehicles packed with people.
I saw families come together to celebrate a great country.
I saw a town come together to show what makes this country so incredible.
Wherever you were for Canada Day, here’s hoping it was memorable.
Here’s to you, Canada. Hope your 175th and 200th birthdays are just as iconic!
For this week, that’s been the Ruttle Report.
