By: Khadija Nadeem, Gr 12
Miracle’s Writer
A day marked on everyone’s calendar, Canada Day is a staple part of many Canadians’ experience, it holds meaning for everyone whether you’re an immigrant or a refugee or have been here for all your life yet it’s easy to forget that before any of us were here, the Indigenous were. This Canada Day, and all Canada Days, it’s important to shed some light on the experience of the Indigenous and the privilege that all of us have to be living on their unceded territory.
It’s important to recognize that the history of our land began long before the first Canada Day, Canada is a part of Turtle Island and is acknowledged as a diverse place. An important part of Canada Day is continuing to educate and be a part of the change that will work towards meeting our Truth and Reconciliation goals. Celebrating Canada Day can be problematic and for good reason, what are we celebrating in truth?
Regardless, it is every citizen’s duty to understand the history, significance, and meaning behind Canada Day so that they know what exactly it is they’re “celebrating”. Our country’s origins are rooted deeply in colonialism, assimilation, ethnic genocide and overall injustice so when July 1st comes around every year, “celebrating” it with the appropriate intentions, knowledge, and understanding is extremely important. In 1982, July 1st was dubbed Canada Day and officially became the national day to commemorate the state’s independence from Great Britain. Nowadays, citizens celebrate the occasion with fireworks, parties, and a sense of, often misplaced, pride. Yet, there is a significance to the celebration. Our horrific and maybe unforgivable past is not to say that Canada’s current diversity, acceptance, and direction in change isn’t something to celebrate. This Canada Day, the goal is to celebrate Canadian development from what our nation once represented and to acknowledge that change is in progress, and we are all expected to hold responsibility for what comes next.
A citizen’s responsibilities and duties are endless and with Canada Day approaching, our patriotism should motivate us to do better for our communities, our societies, and our country. Some are obligations, like obeying laws or paying taxes but those we are not obligated to do, society holds us accountable for. As a Canadian, I am aware of my right to vote or be informed for example. This means that for the benefit of myself and my peers, I should observe those rights. Now studies show that Canadian ‘nationalism’ or patriotism differs significantly from that of the Americans or any other country in the world. First of all, Canadians have adopted a dual view on nationalism, surveys show it isn’t necessarily associated with the white supremacy or blatant racism that many Americans would think it is. In Canada, people accept it because it is equated with certain communities and they see it as a way to be helping vulnerable populations find their place in Canada. Our sense of pride is what should motivate us to fulfill those duties and responsibilities, such as voting or promoting diversity, or especially advocating for Truth and Reconciliation, because our patriotism isn’t meaningful unless it is directed in a relevant and worthwhile manner.
Our misplaced pride should not have to be tolerated by those who suffered at the hands of our government and society at the time of residential schools and many other tragic instances that the Indigenous experienced because of our country. Celebrating Canada Day is controversial and protested event for a reason, and as Canadians, we have to be self-aware of our personal responsibility regarding our patriotism.
According to the latest census, Canada’s population has touched forty million.
Have you considered whether public facilities have increased with population growth or not?
On the other hand, rising inflation across the world has had a big impact here as well. And the price of everything is skyrocketing. The middle class seems to be worried about their limited income. The current Trudeau government looks weak, while Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre is looking to strengthen his party.
Problems in BC and especially Surrey. Tax payer’s money has been wasted for two years on property tax, RCMP, and SPS cycle issues.
Many projects in the city have been closed after being studied.
on the other hand, LGBTQ has become a new issue.
There are protests against this new school policy in every city but no good news has been heard yet. This is the worst example of deviation from nature which is being tried to be enforced by force.
Not only in North America but also in Europe, there are protests against it. The destruction of nature in the name of freedom is a prelude to destruction and great destruction. We all have to stand against it and stop it. Email your MP and MLA of your area about this.
Laysa Lil Insana illa ma’ sa’aa
That man can have nothing but what he strives for.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
