I am writing this commentary on Canada Day and as I do so, I am reminded of quotes from three previous prime ministers who reflected on the greatness of Canada and its challenges. They all have something to say to us.
Sir John A. Macdonald is Canada’s first Prime Minister and one of our Founding Fathers. He played a key role in the formation of Canada. He united the country by building a railroad from coast to coast. He established the North-West Mounted Police, the forerunners of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. My great-grandfather was one of them.
While Macdonald has much to be held accountable for in relation to Indigenous residential schools, they were in place before Macdonald became prime minister and during his time in office, attendance at residential schools was voluntary and not obligatory. It was not until many years later that attendance sadly became mandatory. Under our present inclination of cancel culture, few Canadians are aware of this.
But about Canada, John A. Macdonald said this: ”We are a great country and shall become one of the greatest in the universe if we preserve it; we shall sink into insignificance and adversity if we suffer it to be broken.”
John Diefenbaker was Canada’s 13th prime minister. He brought about the Canadian Bill of Rights. He appointed Ellen Fairclough as the first woman member of the Canadian Cabinet and James Gladstone as the first Indigenous member of the Senate. He granted the right to vote to First Nations and Inuit people.
Here is how John Diefenbaker described Canada: “I am Canadian, a free Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship God in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, free to choose those who govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”
The 15th prime minister of Canada was Pierre Elliott Trudeau. He was a colourful character both on the national and international stage. Although a francophone from Quebec, he was a passionate Canadian. He invoked the War Measures Act when it was needed to put down rebellion in Quebec. He mandated national unity over the Quebec sovereignty movement. He decriminalized same-sex relationships, and he legalized abortion. He patriated Canada’s Constitution, and he established the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
This is what Pierre Elliott Trudeau said about Canada: “A country, after all, is not something you build as the pharaohs built the pyramids and then leave standing there to defy eternity. A country is something that is built every day out of certain basic shared values.”
No doubt, there are those that will have something much less flattering to say about each of these Canadian leaders. We seem to have a penchant for finding fault and dwelling on what has gone wrong in our society, rather than what has gone right. But on this Canada Day weekend I want to focus on the positive, something I think we do not do often enough.
Canada is indeed a great country, one envied in many parts of the world. Obviously, we have our warts but is there any place you would rather call home?
As I reflect on these three quotes from Canadian leaders, I see a unifying thread even though the content is different. All of them see Canada as a great country. Each of them has contributed to its growth and relevance in the world.
Pierre Trudeau recognized that nations like Canada evolve. They do not stand still. Priorities and the way things are done change over the years, and Canadians change with them.
Like Pierre Trudeau, John Diefenbaker was a strong advocate for Canadian unity. He also fiercely promoted freedom as a core value for Canadians, freedom of movement, and freedom to say what is on our minds without fear of retribution. He also promoted equality for all who live here.
John A. Macdonald was a key architect in the creation of Canada. He believed in its greatness and in its potential. But he also gave a warning, which is relevant in this age, and that is that we sink into irrelevance and adversity if we suffer Canada to be broken.
I am one who does not believe Canada is broken. In my view, it is not even bent. But we must be careful not to move in that direction. Of course, we have challenges. Some of them are significant. As well, new priorities are emerging as Canada grows and changes.
But at the bottom of all of this is a strong country, capable of meeting its challenges, embracing meaningful and appropriate change, and standing strongly together for a free and compassionate society.
I am proud to be a Canadian. I am not ashamed of my country. I firmly believe we have the ability, the courage, and the resources to meet any challenge that faces us; to speak out when we feel we need to, to be respectful of other people’s views, and to be united in keeping Canada at the forefront of international respect. We just have to work at it.
It is also important to note, I think, that within the last week, Canada’s population has reached forty million people, a small but mighty force! As we grow, our diversity grows and that I think is a good thing. I believe it makes Canada stronger and increases the need for tolerance, understanding, and respect.
I celebrate diversity. As a father with an Indigenous daughter, and at least two of my extended family members in same-sex relationships, and others from different cultures, I know that diversity has made me richer in spirit, sharpened my perspective, and hopefully made me a better person.
So, on this Canada Day weekend, let us celebrate what is good about our country, be thankful for those who are making Canada better, and let us also cherish our freedom and our democracy.
In Huntsville this weekend, community leaders are continuing a tradition started years ago by Coldwell Banker and Thompson Real Estate of leaving a small Canadian flag at thousands of homes in our community.
What a great way to celebrate our country, eh?
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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I am a proud Canadian, thankful and privileged to live in such a wonderful country!
We are so lucky to be Canadian!
A bit of fresh air from Hugh.
Things we could all think about and learn from.
Proud to be Canadian
There is truth and validity to Mr Grant’s comments.
Increasing immigration levels without addressing affordable housing is making the problem a lot worse for a huge segment of the population. But Ottawa’s need for money and more people to work and tax seems to be a national priority. People can no longer afford a home due to the self induced inflationary spiral our government has put us on. Rental costs are out of control. Have you had to decide between eating and putting gas in your car so you can go to work? Only allowing so many graduates/year has created a shortage in our healthcare and long term care systems. Who makes those decisions?
Mr Grant don’t blame the immigrants we need them to help pay off the financial mess we are in. And they will help care for the baby boomers who contributed to the system throughout their lives only to find out the system is suffering from neglect and mismanagement.
This took a concerted effort over the last 30 years to achieve such a feat. Bravo. I hope all of you are enjoying your indexed pensions while our elderly suffer the consequences of your own inability to realize the long term consequences of your actions. Shame on all of you.
Mr Grant your animosity toward Trudeau and company is warranted.
Trudeau claimed to be everything Harper was not to get elected. But the wolf in sheep’s clothing has proven to be more of a threat to our democracy and our way of life than any other prime minister in the history of Canada. History will not be kind to any of them I’m afraid.
Mr. Grant; this country is full off immigrants, over many many years. Waves of immigrants make up our history. My father was a Danish immigrant, arriving in the bottom of a ship in 1928. My mother’s parents were immigrants, arriving in the early 1900’s from England.
We continue to have problems requiring much work. But my dear man, these are not all because of immigrants.
How far back into your family history do you have to go to find immigration to Canada. Can’t imagine it is too many generations. Unless you are of indigenous origin (a True Canadian), you have arrived here from some wave of immigration in the past (due to famine, war, etc.).
I would have thought this was self-evident.
Thanks Hugh for your positive comments. I couldn’t agree more.
Well said Allen Markle!!! What country has not fallen this day and age? I for one am “PROUD” and happy to be a Canadian !!!
“HAPPY CANADA DAY everyone !!!”
I’m glad that Alan Markle had comments and advice for Paul Grant. Is he really saying that immigrants are bringing crime to our once pristine country? What about all the new-to-Canada professionals and service people who take care of us everyday, often doing the jobs that we ‘true’ Canadians can’t be bothered to do? Yes, many immigrants need help learning the language, finding housing and jobs.
But there are also many who are well educated, ready to work, pay taxes, and contribute to our communities.
Please open your mind and heart – there are lots of good news immigrant stories out there, depending on the sort of media you consume…
Finally, I wonder where Paul thinks our tax base, which pays for all the services we demand, will come from, given our declining birth rate and aging population. This is a problem facing not only Canada but many countries around the world …
Paul Grant: Gotta say man, you sure do seem disillusioned. Good thing you caught this while you are still young. Or at least younger than me. Meaning you still have time to deal with the situation. I’m supposing you are planning on actually dealing with this problem rather than just moaning about it.
Dig out that passport, gather up some cash and off you got to ……!
Okay. Here’s the problem. Where are you off to? Inquiring minds need to know. What criteria are you using to pick out your new home? You will have to accept the fact that you will become the immigrant, and there may be a few of your new country men that will look upon you …there, as you look upon them here in Canada. Hope that new home has a good, working, legal system.
But keep us in mind. After a few years, 15, 20, 25…. you can let us know how it’s working out and if you have found that ‘sweet spot’ on this globe of ours. Maybe we can all come out there?!
Really though, I don’t believe you will leave us. So try to keep your chin up. The rest of us will do our best to keep on ‘keepin’ on’.
My wife, by the way is an immigrant. She seems quite happy here, ‘though she does complain a bit. Mostly because I don’t put stuff away. And I’m not a Trudeau trooper, but I still think I have it pretty good here in Canada.
Hope you battled through the depression and still had a good Canada Day.
Thanks, Hugh, for that breath of fresh air in the midst of all the negativity that seems so prevalent these days (including one of the responses). We are indeed fortunate to live in one of the very best countries…period. As a not so recent “new Canadian”, or, as my father-in-law used to say, “delayed pioneer – DP”, this country has given me the best of everything…freedom of religion, partners, oppression…you name it.
Happiest of birthdays, Canada! Let’s make sure there are many, many more!
Well said, Hugh! Someone needed to say it, thank you.
I am honoured and blessed to be a Canadian. I am not rich (financially) but generally, I am happy. When I’m not “happy” – I am content. There is much joy in my life. The joy comes from Freedom, family and friends, acquaintances, travelling abroad, volunteer work, Freedom, outings, a good meal, trees, Freedom…I am most grateful for all of the aforementioned and so much more.
Thank you, Coldwell Banker and Thompson Real Estate for leaving a small Canadian flag at the corner of our front lawn. It’s a tradition that we enjoy and appreciate; I’m sure I’m not in the minority.
One of the Great Freedoms We enjoy is that if You are unhappy with Your life in The Greatest Country in the world , You can leave , please !
Well said.
So many scorned John Diefenbaker,yet his words were vital and he believed them with a passion.
I’m glad you gave Mr Trudeau praise.
Yes Canada was a great country once, but it has fallen from the top tier of where we stood to a new low and with a loud bang. It is not the country it one was, it’s now filled with unwanted immigrant, causing major problems from housing crisis to health system crisis, to food and infastructure crisis, and crime. The country is divided in many ways, Canadian are divided on thousands of issues and Canadians are not happy. The only Canadians that are happy are the rich and the Trudeau lovers who love Trudeau because he promised to bring all these immigrants aherend thdeir relatives here so they can bring their troubles to Canada. While we True Canadians are now the minority group in our own country! Yeah we have a Canada Day but it its not a day of celebration, its a day to remember what Canada used to be like!