We are now less than a month away from the beginning to the 2014 Winter Olympics. I can’t wait.
Like no other event, the Olympics brings Canadians together as we cheer for our national heroes.
The event also shines a spotlight on some of the lesser-known sports and athletes, giving us the opportunity to gain a greater appreciation for the heart and sacrifice necessary to compete at the highest level.
While our athletes go for gold in Russia, here at home our government is preparing for another major event: the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, to be celebrated in 2017. Like the Olympics, this important milestone gives us the opportunity to celebrate Canadian heroes as well as learn more about the country we call home.
The people who carved our history not only built a nation but truly reflect the Canadian values we hold dear today. Between now and our 150th anniversary, we will mark significant milestones that tell Canada’s story. For instance, in 2014, these will include the centennial of the beginning of the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the start of the Second World War. This year also marks the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences, which laid the foundations for Canada’s Confederation.
In coming years, we will mark the bicentennial of Sir John A. Macdonald’s birth, the 125th anniversary of the Staley Cup, as well as the centennial of women’s suffrage when Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba led the entire Commonwealth by granting women the right to vote.
As a member of the House of Commons committee on Canadian Heritage, it is my hope that by marking these important milestones, we can unlock a greater understanding of what it means to be Canadian as well as spark an interest in Canada’s history among today’s youth.
To that end, we need your help; we want to know how you would like to mark our 150th anniversary. Seeking your input, we have posted a questionnaire online at: Canada.ca/150.
What events and historic figures make you most proud to be Canadian? How should your community mark the occasion? Let us know what you think – milestones like this come along once in a generation.
