Dear readers: Countdown to 150 begins

There has been a lot of discussion this week about what it means to be Canadian. Our differences are worth noting and celebrating as a vital part of our national identity as we approach Canada’s sesquicentennial July 1.

Today, 150 days away from Canada Day, the Citizen is kicking off special coverage that looks at Ottawa’s unique and rich history as our country’s capital city, its ambitious future and the diverse group of people proud to call this vibrant and quirky city home.

In the coming months we will be looking at Ottawa’s storied past by profiling the capital builders — the people who shaped our metropolis into a true capital city — and revisiting defining moments in Ottawa’s history, as well as sharing your stories from Canada’s centennial celebrations 50 years ago.

We will also be looking to the future and the kind of city Ottawa is on the path to becoming as it continues to be shaped by booming residential development, infrastructure projects that will change how we move through the city, and economic forces beyond our control.

Today we also kick off Capital Voices, 150 portraits of people who call the National Capital Region home, and Capital Facts, daily trivia highlighting the odd, the fascinating and the important bits of Ottawa history.

Join us in celebrating our shared history, our diversity and our future by nominating a Capital Builder, sharing your memories from Canada’s centennial celebrations and telling us what your hopes are for Ottawa’s future.