What Canada's 150th Means

There's something unique about Canada's heritage and position in the world, something deeply post-modern. Read on.

As I reflect on Canada's birthday today, July 1st, 2017, I'm enjoying the narrative and the sterotypes that have proliferated in Canada's identity. For the most part, the world might not know it's Canada's 150th birthday, so here goes:

A Youthful Egalitarian Society

As Canada today celebrates its 150th birthday, we're a young country with a lot to be optimistic about.

We boast cities with some of the highest ratings in livability, quality of experience, and balanced lifestyle.

Multicultural heritage, Inclusion and High Quality of Life

A total of 20.6 per cent of Canada's population in 2011 was foreign born, the highest proportion among G8 countries that same year. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)

Too Nice for History; "Too Nice" to get Ahead?

As respected as we are in the world for our reputation for being polite, having good manners and our hospitality, we are subdued and reflective about our progress as a country.

We know we're far from perfect. We have a deeply conflicted history. Our humility is both our virtue, and in business, it's our vice.

We lag behind in Environmental policy, in innovation and in our ability to grow companies past a certain stage.

Geographically Isolated but Globally Connected

We're only 36 million folk, that's less than the population of California and with a lot of space; our climate will be among the most resilient to global warming.

Canada is a safe haven, with a strong banking system and stable government. In fact, our population is only just over 10 times what it was in 1870 (3.5 million).

This year in 2017, we're more aware of our indigenous identity than ever, but also the colonial colonisation crimes we committed and the historical implications of this. Suicide rates among some indigenous communities remain intolerably high!

[1.4 million: number of people who reported having an Indigenous identity in 2011 (4.3 per cent of the country's total population].

Affordable Education, Universal Health Care and Urban Diversity

In Canada we're very aware of our privilege of having strong social services with a good blend of urban centers, small towns and rural settings in which to reside.

We are a culture that celebrates our visible minorities. Cities such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver remain some of the most diverse urban centers in the world.

6.2 million: number of people who self-identify as being part of a visible minority group in 2011 (the three largest identify as South Asian, Chinese and black, and make up 60 per cent of the visible minority population). (Source, CBC).

The Privilege of Prosperity

The role of the French language and Quebec's influence on Canadian identity and politics is undeniable and colourful in our history.

One tenth of our land is water, and we're the 2nd largest country in the world, with an abundance of nature, if a somewhat harsh climate (but we have the 4 seasons, well most of us).

In spite of Alberta's decline, our economy is not looking so bad in 2017. Solid slow growth, our GDP plods ahead.

It's Just the Beginning

However, prosperity isn't just financial and economic. For the most part, we live in communities with an abundance of resources, opportunity, social justice and access to education.

Indeed, if measured against the exuberance of Expo 67, today’s epic birthday feels strangely subdued — as much a day of reflection as celebration. While tourism is bustling; the renegotiation of NAFTA is pending and our national debt is growing.

We are small; and some of our best and brightest leave for the U.S. We have an abundance of tech startups and communal organisations, but many of them lack the funding, talent and ambition to truly scale.

There's been a recent exodus of American talent to the Waterloo corridor and Toronto that shows promise for Canadian business and tech innovation.

Celebrating a Shared Destiny

We value our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but we realize to keep up with a changing world we need to become more forward thinking, think bigger and scale more of our businesses globally (we're pretty bad at this).

Canadians do not embrace patriotism as Americans, Chinese or other older countries do with any sense of superiority or excessive pride (with the exception of maybe Quebec identity), our youth and positivity can become our boon and blessing.

You will be hard-pressed to find a country that identifies itself as a multi-cultural quilt of potential. When we welcomed Syrian refugees or as we welcome more Chinese, we shape a new culture of layered identity and multi-lingual homes. This fundamental unity is possibly years ahead of its time in its lack of conflict.

The fact is, as Canadians we're a little bit wiser, a little more pragmatic and more reconciliatory for this year's 150th birthday.

Our goodwill is moderated by our refreshing place in the global community, our generous spirit and coincidentally, our awareness of our own defects as a nation.

We know our Maple Syrup won't save the world, but our kindness, our inclusion, our care for our citizens and our pacifism are ideals, values and qualities that can enrich the global community and provide a safe and secure home for future generations.

It's not every day, you get to have a SES-kwuh-sen-TEN-nee-yul holiday.