Canada turns 148 this week. I wonder if it feels old?
It’s almost one hundred years older than me. But as far as countries go, it’s still a baby. Or maybe toddler is a more apropo descriptor.
Canada’s done a lot in it’s weening years.
Fought World Wars. Served as peacekeepers. Rescued American hostages. Invented the Telephone. Then the Smartphone. Not to mention basketball, snowmobiling, penicillin, and Beaver Tails. And something called poutine.
Spawned Gretzky, Richard, Lemieux, Crosby, Nash, Wiggins. Greene, Humphries, Le May Doan, Hughes. Raised Bailey, Lewis, and Surin. Birthed Bieber, Celine, Shania, Carrey, Myers, Candy, Gosling. and Cirque.
Built a Den filled with Dragons. Put the Iron in Man…and Woman. Urged the World to ensure a child has the Right to Play. Built the world’s best doughnut chain, running rooms, and loyalty programs. Pioneered efforts to motivate and participate. Juggled two official languages. Welcomed immigrants from everywhere. Paid homage to a Queen not our own.
Proven to the world what a sound banking system can do. Not to mention universal health care.
Won the World Series. Hosted Olympics. Pan Ams past and present. Staged largest FIFA Women’s World Cup ever. Expos. G8’s.
Despite all we have accomplished, Canada still seems pretty youthful to me. It’s best days are ahead of it. This country has so much potential and everyday it seems we act a little less stereotypical Canadian hoser and a lot more confident Canuck.
Now is the time to show the world what we’re made of. We’ve got a brilliant platform to do so with our Sesquicentennial approaching in 2017. The time is ripe to get in the bandwagon. Groups of people are already planning celebrations across the land. Committees are being formed. Governments are allocating dollars. Grants are being requested. Businesses are devising campaigns. Schools are retooling lessons.
If age truly is a mental state than all of this planning is going to make Canada’s 150th feel like a Sweet Sixteen. It will be a bash you won’t want to miss. Enjoy your holidays this week and start thinking about what you’re going to bring to the 2017 party.