Message from the High Commissioner of Canada, His Excellency Bruce Levy
Happy Canada Day!
July first is Canada Day, and across the country people will come together to celebrate our nation’s 145th birthday. And we certainly have a lot to celebrate. Canada is a peaceful and prosperous nation, one whose values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are the foundation not only of our society but of our foreign policy. This year, Canadians had the pleasure of marking the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Special events and ceremonies across the country and in our missions abroad recognized Her Majesty’s extraordinary dedication and ser- vice to Canada and celebrated our country’s many achievements during her reign.
Canada has long been active on the world stage, and our commitment to the international community has never been stronger. As a nation of immigrants we understand just how interconnected we all are; we also understand the importance of what Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called “enlightened sovereignty,” by which he means that our countries’ success, both collective and individual, depends on collaboration with our international partners.
Canada is a trading nation. Trade is equivalent to 60 percent of our economy—and generates one in five Canadian jobs. We are in the midst of the most ambitious pro-trade plan in Canada’s history. Since 2006, we’ve concluded free trade agreements with nine countries. We’re also making progress in our negotiations with some 50 countries, including the members of the European Union, Japan and India.
Canada has weathered the economic storm better than most. In fact, the International Monetary Fund and the Orga n i s ation for Economic Co-operation and Development are predicting that Canada will have one of the strongest economic growth rates in the G-7 over the coming year.
As we adapt to the transformations taking place in the world around us, we are always mindful that prosperity, whether ours or that of other nations, rests on free, transparent and open societies.
It is not only in our interest, it is our responsibility to help those who are seeking to create free societies, to give a voice to the voiceless, to enable every individual to live in peace and dignity, to fulfil his or her potential and to practice freely his or her religion or belief.
As I mentioned earlier, the values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are at the heart of Canadian society; they are also at the heart of our foreign policy and our dealings with the international community and have been for a long time.
Sri Lanka is important to Canada in many ways. The relationship between our two countries is characterized by a long history of friendship and cooperation from the time of Sri Lankan independence. Our mutual membership at organizations such the Commonwealth and UN provides opportunity for collaboration on issues of shared importance. And the Sri Lankan community in Canada brings our countries closer together. Canada is committed to remaining a steadfast partner and friend to Sri Lanka in its pursuit of continued economic and democratic development.
Today, on Canada’s 145h birthday, Canadians proudly celebrate our country’s many accomplishments, past and present, at home and abroad.