HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1977-06-29, Page 4Page 4 Citizens News, June 29, 1977
Edamo!mn r
Canada Day
It used to be called Dominion Day and
it fell on July 1. When the Government
decided to proclaim our own uniquely
Canadian heritage and institutions, the
name was changed.
Unfortunately, we have lost the
significance of Dominion as proclaimed by
the psalmist: "He shall have dominion also
from sea to sea ... ". Our forefathers were
conscious of God's handiwork when they
named this country and we would do well to
remember His bounty, regardless of the
change in name of our holiday observance.
Perhaps for a while we could add the
words "National Unity Day" and urge
Canadians to develop a truly burning sense
of the need to reshape our Confederation so
that we can build a new and more solid
foundation for this nation.
But changing names or having special
days are only symbols and while it is im-
po;tant that we have symbols to guide and
inspire us, we must also find it within our
hearts to develop a sense of pride and
patriotism that will keep our country
together.
For too long we have either been faint-
ly embarrassed or openly critical of the
American brand of patriotism that wears
its heart on its sleeve. But perhaps we
erred the other way in our desire to remain
unemotional and cerebral about what
Canada is all about.
It is time that we began to know our
country — the grandeur of the mountains,
the empty beauty of the harsh northland,
the never-ending golden Prairie, the lakes
and rivers of Central Canada and the
oceans and rocks of the East.
It is time we began to understand what
it is that we have accomplished as a coun-
try so that people can see what is uniquely
Canadian and recognize it as theirs, not
something American or English or French,
but Canadian. To swell with pride when we
recognize ourselves in our own books, pain-
tings, theatre and even television.
Canada Day, 1977, should be a Day of
Unity, a day of being Canadian and then all
the other days must be spent in glueing
together the Canadian mosaic so that it is
strong and beautiful.
Diverse we are, disunited we cannot be
for to be truly Canadian is to be proud and,
yes, a little humble at being part of a com-
mon identity within one of the most richly
blessed lands in all the world.
Canada Day.
A day to be thankful and a day to be un-
ited.
Madame Editor:
During 1978, the Town of
Windsor Nova Scotia - settled
since 1685 and incorporated in
1878 - celebrate's its Centenary.
Among your readers may be
former residents of this Town or
descendants of former residents.
We would welcome hearing from
them or their families, and their
connections in Windsor, Nova
Scotia.
July 23-29, 1978 has been set
aside as OLD HOME WEEK, the
annual Sam Slick celebrations
taking place during the last three
days of that week. We would
welcome visitors to our Town, the
"Gateway to the Annapolis
Valley", at any time throughout
the year, but particularly during
this last week in July.
Whether you come or not
please advise us of your
whereabouts.
Yours truly,
(Mrs.) Grace B. Wallace
Centennial Co -Ordinator
P.O. Box 158, Windsor,
Nova Scotia BON 2T0
Canada Day, Julyl
Dear Editor:
Reference my previous letter
to you regarding the
Se nt n '
squece a nial Parade of
Goderich on July 9.
We originally scheduled the
parade for 2 p.m, but owing to the
vast number of entries (230 with
over 2,100 people) we have had to
advance it to 1 p.m.
All entrants who have sub-
mitted their entry forms have
been informed of the change.
This is to advise those who
planned to watch to move their
times forward one hour.
Yours truly,
Patrick D. King,
Parade Marshal
Jubilee -3 Celebrations
Goderich, Ontario
What's the Big Deal
Friday is July 1, and anyone who has been listening to
either the TV or the radio for the past week or so knows
what that means — it's Canada's birthday.
All across the country, cities and villages are supposed
to have great things planned to celebrate this event — the
only one in the area I am aware of is of course Goderich,
but I have the feeling the big deal there is more their 150th
anniversary rather than Canada's 110th.
Try as I might, I can't help but feel a little cynical about
the whole thing. Not since 1967 has July 1 been so widely
acclaimed, what's to get so excited about now. The claims I
have heard are we must make this birthday party a big one
so Quebec will see what a great country this is, all united,
and forget their separatist claims.
However, the birthday we are celebrating on July 1 is
not the 110th birthday of Canada as a whole, because the
beginnings of Canada did not include either the far east or
the far west. In all this excitement and concern over
Quebec, we seem to have overlooked the feelings of the rest
of this country.
Just talk to someone from the west, and see how they
feel about our united Canada and they will probably tell you
where to get off. They feel they have been much abused by
Ontario, and their reasons are justifiable. Perhaps a pop-
ular bumper sticker a while back said it all, "Let the
Eastern b- freeze in the dark!" Yet I have heard no hue and
cry from anyone concerning trying to get Westerners to feel
more like Canadians.
Look at the east end of this country. Their incomes are
lower and their unemployment is higher, but I haven't
heard any national call for unity to make them feel more a
part of this country.
It seems to me we have our priorities rather confused.
Whatever Quebec does, they will have to suffer the conse-
quences. They are a province with as well-educated adults
as anywhere else and I firmly believe they will have the
sense to do what they believe will help them the most. The
point is, we perhaps waited too long to tell them we feel
they are an important part of this country. We may have to
pay for that.
Let's not make the same mistake again. Must we wait
until the east and west declare they wish to separate before
we tell them we need them and would like to keep them as
part of Canada?
Alright, it's Canada's birthday so by all means let's
celebrate — at least it is a holiday, but let's not just think of
Quebec and let's not make the mistake of giving her
anything she wants. What's fair for one province is fair for
all, and right now I'm afraid we are headed towards making
one province a little bit fairer than all the rest.
s. ,NRST WIfN LOCAL NEWS• •
Published Each Wednesday By J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd.
Member:
Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association
Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association
*CNA
Manager - Betty O'Brien
News Editor - Cathy McKinley
Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385
Subscription Rates: $7.00 per year in advance in Canada
$18.00 per year outside Canada Single copies 20d
