July is one of my favourite times of the year. The weather provides us with the chance to spend more time with our friends and family while experiencing the great outdoors. And of course, the month starts with a celebration of our country’s creation.

This year, as in years past on Canada Day, I had the privilege of attending a citizenship ceremony where we welcomed 40 new Canadians here in Halton region. These new Canadians take the oath of citizenship and commit to embracing our values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Together with them, we celebrate our shared identity.

On Canada Day, we reflect on our accomplishments of the past 144 years. We celebrate the present, realizing we are in a land of opportunity. And we imagine the future country we are building for our children and grandchildren.

Last year, we had some remarkable accomplishments. Bringing home the gold in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics, hosting world leaders during the G-20 in Toronto and a successful visit from Her Majesty the Queen.

This year, the next generation, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge toured Canada for the first time as a married couple.

And next year we will celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812, the Diamond Jubilee of our Queen, the 40th anniversary of our victory in the 1972 Summit Series and the 20th anniversary of the Jays’ World Series victory.

On Canada Day we pause to remember those who fought so we may live in this country which celebrates individuality, culture, history and diversity. More than a million and a half Canadians served in the First and Second World Wars and in Korea.  More than 100,000 Canadians have died in defence of freedom. In Afghanistan, 157 brave men and women of the Canadian Army—all of them volunteers—have made the supreme sacrifice.

Later this year our troops will return from Afghanistan with a sense of pride in their accomplishments – helping Afghans rebuild their country as a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society. 

We share a great country, the greatest in the world. We should all take the opportunity everyday to learn more and reacquaint ourselves with our rich history. It is our shared responsibility, and great privilege, to make Canada great for all Canadians, and all that it can be.