Happy Canada Day!

It is a great day to celebrate Canada. Tomorrow - our nation's birthday - its 143rd! Wow. I can remember Centennial Year - 1967. It was a exciting - Canada seemed to be be growing up. It was cool to be a proud Canadian. I was young in Centennial Year, but I felt that it was a turning point in our history.

Since that time, Canada has continued to grow up. It has become cool to wave the flag, celebrate our country and be proud of who we are. And who are we? I believe we are country that allows people to be free and proud of who they are. We come from all over the world to work and play - to live our lives in the best way for ourselves, our families, and our fellow citizens.

Canada celebrates our differences as individuals, allowing us to work and play together to make our lives richer with more and more opportunities every day. Canada welcomes newcomers and new ideas. Canada is a celebration of being human.

I have never been more excited about the future. Technology is allowing us to communicate, interact and learn like never before. I predict that the world is going to become a better, richer, more interesting place. The possibilities for our lives will grow and grow. The environment will become better as we become smarter, healthier and wealthier. Canada is a small part of the world, but our freedoms and our diversity are huge strengths and we will enjoy the benefits of the 21st century as much and more than most countries. We are very lucky to live in this wonderful country.

I am looking forward to the future like never before, but right now I want to pause, be here, and enjoy the moment. Happy Canada Day!