Canada 150

It’s easy to take our lives for granted.

We are so blessed in Canada with our freedoms, diversity in culture and language, our universal health care system, our low crime rate (especially compared to the U.S.), democracy, and more. We have a neighbour who has elected a very unstable leader, one willing to go to war with North Korea, a country with an even more unstable leader.

While President Trump promotes hate and intolerance, our Prime Minister Trudeau welcomes diversity and peace.

I was born in Newfoundland with our very distinct heritage and cultural significance. I am now currently vacationing in beautiful P.E.I. with its rolling patchworkquilt farmland and exquisite beaches and unique red soil.

As I meet fellow Canadians from all parts of this country during our holidays, I’ve noticed the appreciation and realization that being Canadian has a new meaning in today’s very troubled world.

ISIS controlled terrorist attacks have invaded Europe and sometimes dominates our daily newscasts.

While security has to be a concern here in Canada, we seem to live largely above these kinds of mass killings. Attacks like school shootings and self-inflicted mass murder in gun-crazy America seem to be the new normal.

There are also countries that are suffering from famine and poverty and war-torn strife.

Here in Canada, we are given the opportunities for education, work, and the kind of freedoms that many people in this world would kill for. On our 150th birthday has there ever been a more appropriate time to be immensely proud of being a Canadian?

I think not.

Barry Ploughmen

St. Johns, NF