Canada’s birthday is a chance for us to give

As Canada Day approaches, there is a lingering question for many people. What does 150 years of Canada mean and how do we properly mark it?

This anniversary is about more than giant rubber ducks, a travelling red couch, and redand-white tulips (which, for some reason, bloom orange).

These distractions aside, our past is complicated. To ensure a better future, we have to take an honest look at what Canada has done right — serving as a beacon of freedom for former slaves and opening our doors to refugees. And what it has done wrong — the cultural genocide of residential schools and the Second World War internment of Japanese Canadians.

Amid calls to celebrate our accomplishments and reflect on our shortfalls, we haven’t heard enough about how to move forward as a nation and take ownership over the next 150 years.

Perhaps we can do it with a birthday gift. We want all Canadians to give a gift of service for the future of our country. On July 1, Canadians will mark the milestone with a party. On July 2, we’re inviting everyone to harness that inspiration and launch a year of service to set the tone for the next 150 years.

The best gift we can give our communities, our country and future generations of Canadians is to come together as a nation to solve the biggest issues we face.

How do we advance reconciliation? Protect the environment? Create a healthy multicultural and diverse society?

How do we share the best of Canada with the world?

We are hosting a special celebration on Parliament Hill on July 2 to help Canadians answer these questions.

This event looks to the future, bringing together some of the brightest minds in the country — but even more importantly, many of the most engaged young people. Leaders who take the stage at WE Day Canada will be paired with young people who share their passion.

Chris Hadfield will speak about his journey from small-town Ontario to the stars. He’ll share the stage with Mila Solaja, the Toronto teen who is breaking down gender barriers in science, advocating for young girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

National Chief Perry Bellegarde will share his life’s work advocating for indigenous communities. He’ll be joined by Amelia Boissoneau, a teenager from Blaine Lake, Sask., who was told her indigenous skin wasn’t beautiful, but now champions diversity as a model.

YouTube sensation Lilly Singh will talk about finding her voice and using it to inspire others. She’ll be joined by some of the most popular social media personalities from across Canada who are creating inclusive and supportive online communities.

Nelly Furtado, Roméo Dallaire, P.K. Subban and Margaret Trudeau will all pledge a gift to the country at the event.

If you can’t join us in Ottawa on July 2, you can stream the event live on Facebook or watch a best-of broadcast the following weekend on CTV. Wherever you are on Canada Day, we hope you’ll reflect on what we want to accomplish over the next 150 years.

What’s your gift to Canada?

Craig and Marc Kielburger are the co-founders of the WE movement, which includes WE Charity, ME to WE Social Enterprise and WE Day.