Today marks the 142nd anniversary of the official establishment of Canada, the day the British North American provinces were united in the federation ofCanada . Commonly known as Canada Day, July 1st is celebrated across Canada through various events.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General Michaelle Jean were in Ottawa today to preside over Canada Day celebrations that included a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
"We celebrate the most peaceful, prosperous and enduring democracy the world has ever known,” Harper said.
Harper said that Canada’s quality of life, which consistently ranks in the top ten countries in the United Nations Human Development Index, is a result of people of diverse backgrounds coming together to uphold common values.
"We must never forget that our country, our way of life, did not happen by accident. We are a product of diverse peoples committed to common values, a country that cherishes freedom, democracy and justice, a country proud of our past and confident in our future," said Harper.
Last week, Statistics Canada released the results of a 2008 Canadian Health Community survey, which found that 9 in 10 respondents reported that they are satisfied with life here.
On Saturday, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney celebrated Canadian Multiculturalism Day and reflected on how Canada’s cultural communities have contributed to the country’s rich and diverse heritage.
“Since Confederation, more than 15 million immigrants have arrived in Canada and our multicultural model of unity-in-diversity, which gives our country such strength, has taken shape,” Kenney said.
According to the 2006 census by Statistics Canada, one fifth of Canada’s population was born outside of Canada. That same census revealed that Canada’s population is more diverse than it has ever been, with 41.4 per cent of people reporting that they were of more than one ethnic origin, up from 38.2 per cent in 2001 and 35.8 per cent in 1996.
While in 1971, more than half of Canada’s newcomers were from Europe; today, more than half of new immigrants to Canada come from Asia and the Middle East, and only 16 per cent arrive from Europe.
The diversity of the population of Canada has dramatically changed over the last few decades, but its pride in the opportunities and benefits the country offers remains a reason for celebration, not just on Canada Day.