I stood proudly on the pool deck of the Canada Games Complex as the words to “O Canada” reverberated around the stands. It was the second of three nights of finals swimming as part of an international invitational swim meet.
The Stars and Stripes began the evening celebration, but I couldn’t have been prouder as the audience joined in singing “With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!” I could not help but think about the words and how different our country is from the United States. I stood a bit taller.
Canada’s national good-government credo, “Peace, order and good government,” was written directly into the opening words of Section 91 of the Constitution Act 1867, creating our nation. It is often compared to the American motto “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. It marks the striking difference that the collective well-being and stability of society are more valuable than strict individualism.
The difference has never been more obvious than it is in 2026 between Canada and the U.S.A.
Next Wednesday, we will celebrate Canada Day as it is now called. We will mark it in Fort Frances with a pancake breakfast, parades and family fun celebrations at the Legion Park.
The Celebration of this day falls all the way back to July 1, 1868. Eleven days earlier, Governor General Lord Monck signed a proclamation requesting all Her Majesty’s subjects across Canada to celebrate July 1. That day became Dominion Day in 1879, and in October 1982, it became Canada Day.
While we are more divided as a country than in the past, Canadian fissures are minor compared with what we observe south of the border and in Britain. Despite our differences, we should embrace our gratitude and pride in adopting moderation, which has spared us polarization.
Next Wednesday will be a great day to invite friends and neighbours over for a barbecue or picnic, sharing each other’s joys and dreams for our country and our families and then join together to watch fireworks in the evening.
It is time to fly our flags and wear our red shirts proudly proclaiming we are Canadian. During COVID, Fort Frances distributed lawn signs to promote Canada Day. It is time to dig them out again and put them on our lawns.
We have much to be proud of this Canada Day. There are celebrations in every community in the district. Join your friends in those events. Wear a bright red T-shirt. Stand taller. Sing the words to “O Canada” louder, clap your hands thunderously as the floats move through the parade route.
Happy Canada Day!
