Canada – Glorious and Free
It was 159 years ago, on July 1, 1867, that Confederation formally united the provinces and set Canada on its path to nationhood. Canada became a nation, set on the path toward unity, on values that promised a future with a vision to be glorious and free. Built on values such as human dignity, equality, the importance of community, and of a hard day’s work set the tone for what Canada would become. Our beautiful country was destined to develop into a nation with the second-largest land mass in the world, sprawling from sea to sea, echoing the words of Psalm 72:8. Thanks to the Fathers of Confederation, the dream of uniting the country from east to west was realized.
That early vision carried generations of Canadians to believe this country could unfold into something truly extraordinary. As Sir John A. Macdonald famously said, “We are a great country, and shall become one of the greatest in the universe if we preserve it.”
The vision was of a people who believed in Canada, worked for Canada, and loved Canada.
Contrary to what some political voices have recently said, Canada was not founded as a secular nation. Canada’s legal, constitutional, parliamentary, and cultural foundations were deeply shaped by the Christian faith.
In previous columns, I have noted how 25 Bible verses are embedded in the architecture throughout our Parliament Buildings. And as recently as 1982, the Preamble to the Constitution Act introduced the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms with the words: “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.” These foundational attributes contributed to the emerging character of our nation.
Our ancestors built this country on the ideals of peace, order, and good government. They cleared forests, cultivated the land, built communities, defended our borders, and raised families under the emblem of the maple leaf and hard-earned freedom. From the earliest routes carved through forests and waterways to the moment of Confederation and beyond, Canada was shaped by dreams that outlasted doubt.
Canada’s past included sacrifice, reconciliation, compromise, collaboration, achievement, and a growing confidence on the world stage. Hard work produced thriving farms carved from rocky soil, and cities that endured our harsh winters. Our country was built by people who turned distance into connection and hardship into possibilities.
Canada’s vision became reality through intentionality, effort, and perseverance. We are indebted to those who came before us and worked the land, shaped our laws, and built our communities across mountains, prairies, and coastlines.
And that is the task that falls to us today: not only to inherit this vision and this country, but to defend it, strengthen it, and carry it forward for future generations.
It’s not about cancelling history—it’s about learning from it. It’s not about imposing cultural subjectivity onto previous generations—but humbly looking for what was good for inspiration and applying the lessons we learn so as not to repeat where we erred.
Canada Day is a time to remember our history, thank those who came before us, and resolve to give our best for the future before us.
As your federal representative, I serve Provencher because of my love for this country. I believe while Canada has made some unfortunate detours over the last 11 years, there is hope for a better future.
As former Prime Minister Stephen Harper repeated frequently in Canada Day addresses, “this is the best country in the world!”
May Canada’s birthday be an opportunity for you and your family to celebrate the country we all cherish—and all it can still become.
Happy Canada Day, Provencher!