As your Member of Parliament, it is an honour and my pleasure, on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, to wish everyone a happy Canada Day. This year, from coast to coast to coast we are celebrating Canada’s 143rd birthday.
Every year on Canada Day, community celebrations showcase our national symbols, our traditions and the talent of our artists. This is the perfect day for citizens throughout the country to show their pride in being Canadian.
We have good reason to be proud and to express this pride loud and clear. We can be proud of the peace, freedom, and citizenship from which we benefit as Canadians. On Canada Day, we celebrate our remarkable history and the bright outlook for our country’s future.
The year 2010 is definitely one in which Canada is shining brightly on the international stage. This year, we had the opportunity to show the entire world who we are when the eyes of the world turned to our country for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Thanks to our athletes’ excellence in sport, the immense talent of our artists, and the hospitality of our volunteers, we impressed visitors and television viewers around the world with our culture and quality of life. The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were truly Canada’s Games.
This summer, we welcomed the leaders of the world when we hosted the G8 and G20 Summits. Also, right now, Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh are visiting Canada. They began their tour in Halifax on June 28 and will be in Winnipeg and Toronto from July 3 to 6.
In addition to the presence of the Royal Couple, the Canada Day activities taking place in the National Capital Region and across the country will mark the Canadian Naval Centennial. The theme of the Centennial is “Bring the Navy to Canadians.” The events will honour the past, showcase the current Navy, and support the Navy of the future.
This year, in addition to celebrating the 143rd anniversary of Confederation, we are celebrating the 125th anniversary of Canada’s national parks and the 400th anniversary of Cupids in Newfoundland, the first English settlement in our country.
The Government of Canada is also proud to support the Canadian team representing Canada at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India this fall.
Canada is known around the world for our generosity and openness. We share the traditions, values, and aspirations that unite us and shape our nation.
Throughout the country, we have also built prosperous communities that are enriched by the hard work and contributions of our citizens, who are ready to meet the challenges of our century.
We can now count on the promise represented by the dynamism of young Canadians to safeguard our future. Canada Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to our country’s remarkable people, places and events. Canada Day is a key part in building our historical memory and it strengthens Canadians’ identity, solidarity and sense of belonging. On this memorable day, we join all Canadians who are taking part in picnics or barbecues and attending parades, shows, or fireworks displays and we wish everyone a happy Canada Day!
