wwiw.insidehaliton.com | MILTON CANADIAN CHAMPION | Thursday, June 29, 2017 | 6 There are many reasons to celebrate this Canada Day We complain about the taxes we pay in Canada, and we are forever dissatished with the work of governâ€" ments federal or provincial, no matter the political stripe. But, one thing Canadians can generally agree upcn is this: you‘ll have to look high and low to find a better country anywhere in the world than what we enjoy right here in the Great White North. With that in mind, we have even more to celebrate in 2017 and especially on July 1, Canada Day, when our beloved nation turns a relatively young 150. And, since some of us will never see such an important national milestone again, it is well worth celebrating. There are definitely 150 reasons â€" and many more â€" to celebrate all things Canadian, but for the sake of brevity, we‘ll touch upon the high points here. Canadians live in a free, democratic society, where rights and freedoms are not just words or esoteric noâ€" tions, but ones that have been entrenched into federal law with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Canada is a friendly, safe and welcoming country, and one that celebrates its inclusiveness and diversity. It‘s a place where people of all religions and all cultures can come together and live in relative peace and harmony. Canada has universal health care that‘s truly the envy of the world. Yes, we pay a high price for our ‘free‘ health care in the form of taxes, but it is available to all and not just to those with the fattest wallets. We have a solid history of pulling our weight interâ€" nationally. Our contributions to the First and Second World War come immediately to mind as many Caâ€" nadians paid the ultimate price to uphold freedom throughout the world. And, of late, Canadians have reached out to Syrian refugees, offering permanent refuge and shelter from the civil war that has decimatâ€" ed the Middle Eastern country. Maple syrup, Canadian bacon, Tim Hortons, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, Smarties, poutine, Terry Fox and who can forget ‘eh‘ â€" all uniquely Canadian. Mostly, though, Canada is a fourâ€"season country of breathtaking beauty. From the majesty of the Rocky Mountains on the west coast to the eastern shores of Maritimes, Canada is so vast that Canadians can literâ€" ally spend a lifetime discovering and rediscovering it. So, take the time to turn out and celebrate Canada‘s 150th at a host of events happening here in Milton and throughout Halton. Happy 150th Canada! E. | | | | i | | Happy Canada Day, Milton! ful for? How much time do you have? How about the fact that our own backâ€" yard (Toronto) holds one of the world‘s most renowned lifelines for sick children, or that â€" while not perfect â€" our healthâ€" care system is looked upon as a right, rather than bigâ€"business. Or what about people like Terry Fox and Rick Hansen, whose crossâ€"country venâ€" tures inspired a nation at large. Then there‘s our ongoing embrace of hundreds of Syrian families, which is remiâ€" niscent of how Canada served as a pipeâ€" | line of freedom (via The Underground Railroad) during Slavery. In no particular order, I‘m also thankful for the musical poetry of The Tragically Hip and Rush, hockey, Tim Hortons and how I can turn on the tube for a Blue Jays‘ road some day. game and see a slew of Jays caps and jerâ€" That‘s one of the great things about Canaâ€" | seys â€" no matter how far they are from da â€" such a vast country and such a wide | the Rogers Centre. array of picturesque beauty to behold. What else do Canadians have to be thankâ€" Send us your July 1 photos There‘s lots to see and do in Milton and throughout Halton over the course of the Canada Day long weekend. Whether you‘re planning to attend Canada Day fes I‘ll readily admit that I‘ve found all the Canada 150 promos a bit much at times. Then â€" | _ think about all we have to be thankful for in this counâ€" try and my tune quickly changes. Saturday marks our nation‘s sesâ€" Steve LeBlanc | quicentennial â€" News/Sports Editor a birthday bash that‘ll be celebrated from coast to coast. I‘ve been a regular visitor to one of them â€" as the son of a rural Nova Scotian â€" and still have plans to make it out to B.C. bet, eh? Happy Canada Day! tivities at the Milton Fair Grounds or are looking to enjoy a more lowâ€"key celebra tion with family and friends, consider snapping a photo and sharing it with us. The Champion welcomes your Canada Day photos for consideration in its July 6 issue Send yours by 5 p.m. July 3 to editor@miltoncanadianchampion.com. Be sure to include a description of the event and the names of those featured in the photo | Do we have a lot to be grateful for? You | insidehaiton.com â€" metroland TON nChampion. 25046 Mainway, Burlington, Ont. L7L 5271 905â€"878â€"2341 Advertising Fax: 905â€"876â€"2364 Classified: 905â€"875â€"3300 Circulation: 905â€"878â€"5947 www.miltoncanadianchampion.com VP â€" Group Publisher Nell Oliver Regional General Manager Kelly Montague Director of Advertising Managing Editor Catherine O‘Hara Production Manager Manuel Garcia Circulation Director Charlene Hall Office Manager Lorl Ann Gvozdanovic The Canadian Champion, published every is a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd. 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