What Matters to You – Canada Day 2022

Canada Day is defined by Wikipedia as:

‘the anniversary of only one important national milestone on the way to the country’s full sovereignty, namely the joining on July 1, 1867, of the colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into a wider British federation of four provinces (the colony of Canada being divided into the provinces of Ontario and Quebec upon Confederation). Canada became a “kingdom in its own right” within the British Empire commonly known as the Dominion of Canada.

Although a British dominion, Canada gained an increased level of political control and governance over its own affairs, the British parliament and Cabinet maintaining political control over certain areas, such as foreign affairs, national defense, and constitutional changes. Canada gradually gained increasing sovereignty over the years, notably with the passage of the Statute of Westminster in 1931, until finally becoming completely sovereign with the passing of the Constitution Act, 1982 which served to fully patriate the Canadian constitution.’

My personal thanks to whoever wrote the above two paragraphs. They lay out Canada Day for what it technically means, but what I’d like to share today is a bit more personal; a little of my own views, family history, and what it used to feel like to be Canadian versus where my thoughts are today.

I’m not sure about you folks, but this Canada Day for me was…different. I searched and searched for the pride that I have normally felt about this day of celebration in years past, but it just wasn’t there.

Much later in life my career allowed me to travel and work in several of the regions of our country that I had only ever read about.  The first big project I was on as a Project Coordinator had me in the middle of the Tundra, 350 km N.E. of Yellowknife.  I had the chance to see nearly 24 hours of darkness and the most intense cold I’ve ever experienced. The stars, the snow, and the northern lights were purely breathtaking.  The summer days literally never ended.  I met folks from all over the country on that project, as well as the folks who called that part of our country home.

When working in the Fiber Optics division, I had a chance to work in northern Ontario, as well as in the big cities to the Southeast, plowing in Fiber Optic cable along what was and is the backbone of our country, the CP rail line.  Some of the most remote, and populated areas still are along that line.  The sheer size of Lake Superior, to a prairie boy…WOW. The books in school did not do it justice.  In one of the local watering holes, I met a bunch of sailors: freshwater hands, moving cargo up and down the seaway, and across the Great Lakes.

I ended up in Montreal for business a few times.  The first time was to meet with a university professor regarding a linear scheduling program, the second time to look at a portable sawmill.  I met some great folks on those trips, and gained a thorough appreciation for the history, and the culture we shared, as well as our differences.

My grandfather was originally from Tignish, PEI. I ended up out there twice and was literally astounded by the family history on that little island.  We even have a family church on those capes, with the graveyard full, and I mean full, of my relations dating back to the 1800s. 

While at the first family reunion I attended, I ended up exploring the Maritimes; I saw the harbor where my relations first landed when they immigrated from East Friesland back in 1751.  Then over to Newfoundland.  I was there for leisure, and then went back on a business trip later in life.

I believe that we have a great country. I believe that we have way more in common than we give ourselves credit for. I also believe that others have taken advantage of us to exploit our differences.  I believe that when we work together as regions, when we strengthen our trading relationships, we pull together and get stronger.  From my travels with work, I know for sure that many folks down East don’t even think about us out West.  I know that is the same for many people out here: we don’t think of how our actions impact them.  I love our country, but honestly, I love our region more, and I do believe that we have the best of all the provinces.  That should not be considered disrespectful in any way; when we are proud of who we are, we make the entire country stronger.  When we stand together and are mindful of what others bring to the table, we recognize how important they are to us, and we to them. Coming together despite our differences makes us all stronger. 

A “true north, strong and free” depends on all of us pulling our own weight and helping folks when they need it.  That is what I have seen in all the small towns and big cities that give the good folks that make up this nation a common ground.

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Entwistle Canada Day festivities last Friday…now there’s a community that knows how to celebrate! My sincerest thanks go out to Larry Suter who was gracious enough to drive me around in his amazing 1955 Chevy Bel-Air. Sitting in the front seat of that shiny time machine, seeing all the smiling faces, watching people interact with each other, noticing the red and white on every corner, my pride and excitement about Canada Day found its way back. I may have even shed a few tears.

This is what I know about Canada: Our government is not what defines us as Canadians. Policies are not what define us as Canadians. We are. We have always been. Help your neighbors, stand up for your beliefs, defend your freedoms, teach your children what being Canadian really means, and never forget that we the people are what makes Canada such a great nation.

Sincerely,

Shane Getson