It has a few wrinkles and has had a few growing pains, but Canada you are a looking pretty darn good for 150 years.
Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary as a country on Saturday and a lot has changed since first prime minister John A. Macdonald, George Brown, George-Étienne Cartier and the other Fathers of Confederation formed the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867.
Canada truly is a Canadian mosaic, as refered to by Canadian author John Murray Gibbon.
The different cultures from St. John’s, Newfoundland to theHaida Gwaii Islands in British Columbia have been allowed to keep their cultural identity while working as one for the country.
No bigger change maybe that which has occurred in southen Alberta. Fifty-years ago, the people of Calgary, Okotoks and area were virtually all lilly-white. That has changed as there is now diversity in Calgary, Okotoks, High River and surrounding area.
Of course, there is still work to be done. First Nations people — who can rightfully look at 150 years in Canada as being just a kid —have been marginalized.
Fortunately, some wrongs from the past are starting to be rectified. The atrocites of residential schools, forced assimilation facing Canada’s First Nations people are starting to get corrected.
This country has proved in its 150-year history its people are kind, sharing and patriotic.
The people of Canada have opened their doors to refugees, including right here in Okotoks.
Not just because it was kind and compassionate, but it is the right thing to do.
Those going through atrocities in other countries don’t need a bona fide relationship with someone in this country to come to Canada as is Trumpeted in other countries.
Canadians can be proud of the past 150 years. They can celebrate on July 1 its peoples’ diversity and open-mindedness.
