Canada More Proud Than Ever!

As the world learns how strong and free Canada truly is, its people rejuvenate national pride. Social media is flooded with proclamations of how adults demonstrate strength, clarity, consideration, inclusivity, and poise in citizenship, leadership, and relationship-building. We’re taking the higher road.

An example is this week’s move to by the Canadian Government to halt the Digital Services Tax, which taxed all tech companies, not merely American ones, in order to resume trade negotiations and bring Donald Trump’s administration back to the negotiating table. While some Canadians were livid, many political reporters explained that in lengthy, all-encompassing negotiations, ‘give and take’ along the way is required to eventually be successful. The bottom line is it’s a strategic play. South of the border, though, Karoline Leavvitt announced that Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney “caved” with a smirk on her face. (Someone needs to slap that girl!) Of course the Trump team would brag about this as a win. We’re taking the higher road.

In rebuttal to Trump’s quips about making Canada the 51st State, Mike Myers, Canadian comedian and icon, appeared on SNL wearing a ‘Canada is Not for Sale’ t-shirt suddenly motioned and mouthed “Elbows Up”…a brilliant act inspired by the memory of hockey great Gordie Howe that instigated a national movement. Canadians are not offensive, but will react in defense. We’re taking the higher road.

Today is Canada Day, the national celebration of the 158th anniversary of our confederation. We are a sovereign country, part of the British Commonwealth, and despite some groups who threaten to separate, mostly united in our quest to remain the True North Strong and Free. We have an abundance of natural resources, creative people who are willing to work hard, free health care, minimal gun violence. In past we have relied upon the U.S. for military defense. Now we’re building up our own. In past many of our trading has been North/South. Now it’s East/West and across the seas. In past we’ve purchasing arbitrarily regardless of where it was manufactured. Now most Canadians are vehemently reading labels, researching and sourcing products made in Canada or anywhere but the United States. We’re taking the higher road.

We’re not saying we are better. We still love everyone. We don’t have a need to slander others. We apologize when we’re wrong. We’re trying to reconcile with those we’ve damaged. We understand we live on native land. We admit our weaknesses and the wrongs of our forefathers. We are taking the higher road.

With great pride, I say

Happy Canada Day!