Happy Canada Day!

1 July 2026

This July 1st, our community will gather to celebrate Canada’s 159th birthday. It is a day filled with immense national pride, gratitude, and optimism for our collective future. Across our community, we wave our Canada flags, watch the fireworks light up the night sky, attend parades, and enjoy backyard barbecues with our family, friends, and neighbours. When we look around at our incredible country today, we are reminded of just how truly fortunate we all are to call Canada home.

It is a beautiful, harmonious tapestry of people from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds. We are a country built as much by the descendants of those who have always called this land home as by newcomers who arrived seeking refuge, opportunity, or simply a fresh start. Indigenous peoples and waves of immigrants from every corner of the globe have each added their own thread to who we are today. Our rich diversity proves that different perspectives can unite under one flag to build a safer, more prosperous, and more welcoming society.

It shows up in the languages spoken on our streets, the food at our tables, the festivals that fill our calendars, and the quiet, everyday kindness of neighbours helping neighbours. That is not a happy accident, it is the result of a deliberate choice, made and remade by each generation, to see our differences as a source of strength rather than division.

Canada’s journey began on July 1, 1867. The British North America Act officially united Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada. Built on negotiation, vision, and a desire for self-governance, this historic agreement laid the strong structural foundation for the peaceful, prosperous nation we love today. As Canada expanded over the decades to welcome new provinces, it grew to encompass some of the most spectacular geography on the planet.

From coast to coast to coast, Canada’s scenery is a masterpiece admired around the world. We are blessed with unmatched, diverse natural beauty. From the rugged Atlantic shorelines and the majestic Rocky Mountains to the sweeping western prairies and quiet northern forests. Our vast, pristine landscapes inspire us and serve as a beautiful reminder of our country’s incredible scale.

Beyond the quiet beauty of our borders, Canada’s strength has also been forged in times of global conflict where our values were put to the ultimate test. Throughout our history, brave Canadians have stood on the front lines to defend freedom, democracy, and human rights. From the muddy trenches of Vimy Ridge to the sands of Afghanistan and global UN peacekeeping missions, our military heritage is defined by valor and sacrifice. While we celebrate Canada Day, we should always honour our heroes who secured peace and protected the vulnerable worldwide.

That same classic Canadian grit and determination is on full display every time our country competes on the world stage. From historic hockey triumphs that bring our country to a standstill to legendary Olympic podium finishes, our athletes consistently punch above their weight, showcasing teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. That influence extends into the global cultural arena. The impact is undeniable. Canada’s brilliant artists, authors, and performers who constantly capture the world’s imagination tell powerful stories that were shaped from Canada’s unique identity. Together, our athletes and artists inspire us, unite the entire nation in moments of pure pride, and forever elevate Canada’s reputation on the international stage.

That reputation is also one of a robust, stable democracy rooted firmly in the rule of law. Canada’s institutions are not things we inherited by accident; they are the product of generations of citizens who showed up, spoke up, and insisted that disagreements be settled by debate and ballots rather than by force. That foundation lets every Canadian, regardless of where they started, trust that the rules apply fairly and that their voice counts. It is precisely that trust that has allowed so many different people to call Canada home and call it their own.

So today, let’s hear it for the best country in the entire world! Let’s carry forward the same spirit that built this nation, the negotiation and compromise of our founders, the sacrifice of our veterans, the resilience of our athletes, the creativity of our artists, and the everyday generosity of ordinary Canadians, into everything we do next. Together, we will continue to build a brighter, stronger future for generations to come.

From my family to yours, I wish you a safe, happy, and wonderful Canada Day!