Birth of Canada As A Nation - An Ode

I know,  I know I've gone into Canada Day overload but give me a break its my first Canada Day celebration back home so I'm allowed.

Festivities on July 1, 1880 as captured by the Canadian Illustrated News, a publication out of Montreal.  I attempted to access this by going to the Archives and Library of Canada website but it is no longer available due to budget cuts.  Had to get it from the Quebec Archives - no money but at least they are holding on to their heritage.

My friend Liz - one of those 'mericans that I love - put this up on facebook.  I'm ashamed to say I'd never heard it. 

Hail Britannia's noblest daughter,
Who is surrounded by the water
Of many a lake and broad sea,
Land of beaver and of maple tree.

Her lofty brow is wreathed with smiles,
For from the far Atlantic isles
In pomp have come their delegates,
All seeking to unite their fates.

With Canada great northern queen,
And now throughout the land is seen,
High festival and stately dance,
Triumphant nuptials to advance.

And soon shall Red River valley
And distant Vancouver rally,
To form this Empire gigantic
From Pacific to Atlantic.

Birth of Canada As A Nation

James McIntyre

July 1, 1867

01 July -1873: Prince Edward Island joins the Canadian Confederation.

Happy 145th!

When I was a kid back in the middle of the last Century we celebrated Dominion Day and proudly waved Union Jacks.  Today we celebrate Canada Day and even more proudly wave our own flag.  Happy Canada Day!

After Friday's little teaser I don't honestly think there was a more Canadian way of celebrating our 145th Birthday but then the CBC played a Stompin' Tom Connors song; well what the hell can be more Canadian than Stompin' Tom?

Happy Canada Day!

01 July - The British North America Act of 1867 takes effect as the Constitution of Canada, creating the Canadian Confederation and the federal dominion of Canada; Sir John A. Macdonald is sworn in as the first Prime Minister of Canada.

Happy Canada Day

In searching for a video of O Canada to celebrate the day I came across this version from the opening of the Vancouver Paralympics in 2010. I found it one of the more moving versions of our National Anthem. Unfortunately I wasn't able to convert it and trim out the commercials at the end - despite a morning spent attempting to eliminate everything after 04:41 - so I'll leave that up to you.

This remarkable performance of our National Anthem was a duet of sorts - it was sung by blind vocalist Terry Kelly from Newfoundland and - though it is not obvious from the video - signed by Mari Klassen from B.C.  Truly from Sea to Sea.

We celebrated yesterday at the Embassy with a gathering of Canadians and friends from Rome and today we'll be celebrating with our good friends Marija, Daryl and their boys Tyler Vuk and Devin Ogi.

Happy Canada Day to all our friends everywhere! Bonne fête Canada!

01 lulgio - La Giornata Nazionale del Canada

Bonne fête Canada! Happy Birthday Canada!

Nicky and Nora are really not all the impressed about the fact that they will one day be Canadians - I guess they've heard a bit too much about that immigration process. Nicky has stated he will not marry a Canadian just so he can enter as a Family Class applicant!

Joking aside today my country turns 143 years old - young by European standards (though Italy is only 149 years old this year - next year is the big 150!) but its a country that reached maturity quickly. I am proud to be a Canadian despite the problems and concerns I read about daily. Despite the fact that it is not the country I once knew it is still my country and I love it with all my heart and soul no matter where I may be.

Last night was spent with our friends at the Canadian Club of Rome - a group of Canadians, Italians and friends of Canadians who "live, love and laugh in Rome". Tonight its a BBQ with more Canadian friends. Sadly there is nothing "official" happening as budget cuts have meant that there just isn't money for such frivolous things as celebrating our national day! Though I find it odd that countries receiving financial aid from Canada seem to be able to have big, elaborate National Days. I must get someone to explain that to me one day.

So tonight's celebration will be small, homespun and nothing elaborate - but maybe that is the way to celebrate our nationhood. With friends, good food, a beer or glass of wine and conversation. And who knows maybe a few fireworks.

As we blow out the birthday candles I am going to make a few wishes for my country. And then with all the breath I can manage make sure I blow out all the candles so those wishes come true.

For Canada I wish:

• continued prosperity and peace
• a safe and soon return of our troops from their "peace keeping" mission in Afghanistan
  
• that if this "peace keeping" mission must continue then that there be no more bodies loaded onto airplanes in Kandahar - dead soldiers who are then ignored by a government to cowardly to admit that those deaths are senseless
• for a government of politicians who are more interested in the common good of our country and less in their pensions, personal greed and desire to be reelected
  

Sadly though in my heart I make those wishes I have become cynical enough in the past few years to know in my head that they are only that - wishes!

But maybe today is a time for putting aside cynical thoughts and thinking of all the wonderful of positive things about being a Canadian. Simply celebrating with friends and saying Happy Canada Day!


01 luglio - Canada Day

Happy Birthday Canada!

I fondly remember the days when CBC signed off each morning with this video.



Despite what our current crop of politicians - and I exempt no party - have done to diminish my country I am proud to be a Canadian. Proud of the rights and freedoms that I enjoy, proud of the work done abroad by our military, proud of the rich and varied heritage that makes up my country. Though today I will celebrating in another land I will none the less be celebrating My Home and My Native Land.

And here's one of my favorite version of our national anthem - unfortunately only in English.


Happy Canada Day et bonne fête to all my friends back home and throughout the world.

01 July - Canada Day

Canada

We'll be celebrating Canada Day here in Rome in much the manner we would at home - perhaps minus the fireworks but you never can tell there seem to be fireworks somewhere in the city every evening these days. We'll be gathering on the grounds of our Embassy as family,friends and colleagues to celebrate our country.



And if we can't find any fireworks around town maybe I'll just set off my own display by going to this nifty site that I've used to bring a little bit of feux d'artifice and noise into my life when needed.

To all my friends back home in Canada - Happy Canada Day! Bonne fête Canada!

01 lulgio - La festa del Canada

Proudly Canadian

Tomorrow my country will be 141 years old - not old as countries go but as I look around me I realize how progressive it has been despite its youth.

Tomorrow will be a day of celebrating though of course those of us who call Canada home should be celebrating our country every day of our lives. We have so much to be thankful for and to be proud off. And when I read stories such as this about yesterday's Gay Pride Parade in Toronto my shallow chest puffs up just a little bit more with pride.

Another reason that I am proudly Canadian.

30 giugno - I Martiri Proromani

Proudly Canadian - a Day Late*

As a Canadian I am often self-deprecating when it comes to my home and native land - there you go, a tongue-in-check, typically Canadian phrase if there every was one. I take much for granted and while grumbling about what's wrong with Canada I often forget what is right.

Last week's cruise on the Ottawa River was a gentle reminder of the beautiful area I live in - one of many beautiful areas in a vast country. Yesterday's Canada Day celebrations were a reminder that we have so much to be proud of.

And as a gay man I was reminded twice this past week that I have many reasons to be thankful I am a Canadian.

I went to Ottawa City Hall on Friday and applied for a license for our upcoming (July 21) marriage. I mentioned to the lady processing our application that Laurent and I had been together for almost 29 years. As she gave me the license she said: Congratulations, I hope the next 29 years are as happy as the last 29.

Twice a year - New Year's Day and Canada Day - the Governor General announces a list of Canadians who have been awarded The Order of Canada - the highest civilian award my country can bestow. Amongst the names on this year's Canada Day list is Rev. Brent Hawkes, the senior pastor of MCC Toronto. Brent has been granted the title of Member of the Order for his work as a clergyman and a gay rights activist.

I didn't wear a T-Shirt proclaiming it yesterday, nor did I fly a flag from the second floor veranda but I am proud to be a Canadian.

*And if that ain't typically Canadian, what is? Eh?