Raza: This is My Canada, So I’m Going to Celebrate Canada Day

Yesterday we hosted a (socially distanced) celebration in a restaurant patio to have an early Canada Day celebration. There were people there from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Pakistan, India, Croatia, Poland and Canadian-born of course. These people reflected Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Agnostics. There were youth there as well (all faiths) and they were found standing outside the tent chatting away together while sharing jokes. 

While this was not meant in any way to be a political event, I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear when I saw how well everyone bonded organically – no push from anyone. 

This is my Canada. 

I read about the cancellation of Canada Day and it saddens me. Ask any immigrant and they will tell you how much Canada means to them. Pitched as a country that time and again has been polled as one of the best countries to live in, we should not shut down the celebration of its inception. To me there is no other country in the world that celebrates differences the way Canada does. 

Yes. There are problems. The recent ones being the most concerning regarding the treatment of Aboriginal children. It’s a black mark on Canadian history. The history of the world has shown us that injustices take place everywhere and, in many countries, they are either covered up or pushed under the rug because the leaders can’t face the truth. Canada is taking responsibility for their errors in the hope that this will never happen again.

Instead of eliminating history and tearing down statues, we can and should learn from history.

We don’t need laws or bills to create tolerance. Tolerance is organic and we need opportunities to come together, to meet and talk. To discuss and debate issues. Instead of the government giving funding to ethnic communities to promote their own heritage, this collective heritage should be shared. 

Sure, there are tough questions to be asked. There is much work still to be done. When the Office of Religious Freedom was closed down, yet our Prime Minister calls for religious freedom, isn’t it a dichotomy? 

It’s easy to sit in the comfort of our living rooms and criticize but the question we have to ask ourselves is “what I have I done to make Canada a better place?” 

As caring Canadians each one of us has a responsibility to foster peace and understanding which does not come only by sharing my samosas and your latkes, but by reaching out to each other in mutual respect.

I for one, am celebrating this beautiful country that is my home. I hope many others will.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!