Celebrating our land of opportunity

As Canadians prepare to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, we are heralding many achievements made over the decades. Yet never enough might be said about the advancements of women since the dawning of Confederation.

On the political front, the first woman was elected to the House of Commons in 1921. Then in 1957, almost a full century after Confederation, the first woman was appointed to cabinet. Today, there is gender balance in its 30-member roster, underscoring the notion of equality enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Equality and opportunity cannot fail to make Canada an even stronger and freer society. It is of little wonder that immigrants flock to this nation. Freed from the shackles of restraint and suppression, they come with great expectation of what they can contribute in this land of opportunity and freedom.

As a people, our pride can only swell that much more at the prospects that lie ahead. It is a candle of promise that cannot fail to burn ever so brightly on this 150th year of celebration. Claude McDonald Kitchener