Happy Canada Day, Eh!
Posted July 1, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Canadians from coast to coast will don their red and white Sunday to celebrate the nation’s 140th birthday, and nowhere will the party be bigger than on Parliament Hill.
In a pre-taped statement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper shared his thoughts on this special day:
“We are building successful businesses in world markets, we are working to deliver aid and enhance security throughout our globe, and in concert with other countries we’re wrestling to address the environmental challenges that confront our planet,” he said. “From hockey championships to humanitarian and military leadership roles in Afghanistan and Haiti, we can say again this year, Canada is a citizen of the world and we make our contribution a positive one.”
Meanwhile, Governor General Michaelle Jean is reminding Canadians of what a special place they have to call home. In her Canada Day message, she said Canadians should not take for granted the freedoms they enjoy, including the freedom to say what they think without fear of repercussion, or to walk down the street without fear. She added that the commitment of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan is an excellent example of how Canada is fostering freedom and hope around the world. Among the festivities in Ottawa are a concert, the RCMP Musical Ride and fireworks at night.
Some Facts About Canada ( courtesy of Collections Canada):
The official ceremony inaugurating the new Canadian flag was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on February 15, 1965, with Governor General Georges Vanier, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, the members of the Cabinet and thousands of Canadians in attendance.
Mottoes of Canada and the Provinces:
CANADA
A MARI USQUE AD MARE
From sea to sea
Ontario
UT INCEPIT FIDELIS SIC PERMANET
Loyal she began and loyal she remains
Quebec
JE ME SOUVIENS
I remember
Nova Scotia
MUNIT HAEC ET ALTERA VINCIT
One defends and the other conquers
New Brunswick
SPEM REDUXIT
Hope restored
British Columbia
SPLENDOR SINE OCCASU
Splendor without diminishment
Manitoba
(Manitoba does not have an official motto.)
Prince Edward Island
PARVA SUB INGENTI
The small under the protection of the great
Saskatchewan
MULTIS E GENTIBUS VIRES
From many peoples, strength
Alberta
FORTIS ET LIBER
Strong and free
Newfoundland
QUAERITE PRIME REGNUM DEI
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
Origins of the word Canada:
The name Canada derives from the Huron-Iroquois word Kanata, which means village or settlement. The term was used to describe Stadacona (the current site of Quebec city) by two Amerindians who accompanied Jacques Cartier on his 1535 return voyage from France.
List of Prime Ministers since Confederation:
Sir John A. Macdonald 1867-1873
Alexander Mackenzie 1873-1878
Sir John A. Macdonald 1878-1891
Sir John J.C. Abbott 1891-1892
Sir John Sparrow Thompson 1892-1894
Sir Mackenzie Bowell 1894-1896
Sir Charles Tupper 1896
Sir Wilfrid Laurier 1896-1911
Sir Robert Laird Borden 1911-1920
Arthur Meighen 1920-1921
W.L. Mackenzie King 1921-1926
Arthur Meighen 1926
W.L. Mackenzie King 1926-1930
Richard Bedford Bennett 1930-1935
W.L. Mackenzie King 1935-1948
Louis St. Laurent 1948-1957
John G. Diefenbaker 1957-1963
Lester B. Pearson 1963-1968
Pierre Elliott Trudeau 1968-1979
Charles Joseph Clark 1979-1980
Pierre Elliott Trudeau 1980-1984
John Napier Turner 1984
Martin Brian Mulroney 1984-1993
Kim Campbell 1993
Jean Chrétien 1993-2003
Paul Martin 2003-2006
Stephen Harper 2006-present
