On July 1st, Canadians came together to commemorate the birth of our great nation.
Canada’s 147th year was marked by many achievements, from the 2014 Winter Games to our soldiers’ successful return from Afghanistan.
We can be proud of these accomplishments, they symbolize the greatest strength of our country: The character of Canadians.
We are dedicated, driven, and resolute.
When adversity strikes, I can think of no more resourceful and selfless people.
Case-in-point, the Southern Alberta Flood of 2013.
Our region’s worst natural disaster affected more than 100,000 Albertans in 30 communities, destroying an estimated 14,000 properties.
Tested like never before, we all rose to the challenge; from the emergency service workers and military personnel who led the rescue operations to the volunteer bucket brigades who went house to house.
One year later, I believe we are all still struggling to understand the scope of what has happened.
In addition to the devastating economic and human impacts, the very landscape has changed.
However, I can tell you this: the severity of this disaster was matched only by the generosity of Canadians.
Thanks to your donations, to date the Red Cross Alberta Flood Relief Fund has spent $21 million providing direct assistance to flood victims. At a time when every little bit helps, our fellow Canadians came through in a big way. On July 1, we celebrated our country’s many successes and victories over the past year.
We also remembered the achievements of previous generations, as our country marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War, and the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, opening the European front in the Second World War.
I’ve always felt it’s important to recognize our nation’s achievements. This year I believe our greatest accomplishment was not a victory in the traditional sense.
It was the resourceful and selfless response of Canadians when faced with the largest natural disaster in Alberta’s history.
It is the dedicated, drive and resolute character of our friends and neighbours that makes me proud to be Canadian.
