As if everyone on DK didn't already know, today marks the 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada. So, in honour of this sesquicentennary, some semi-random linky goodness-type stuff to commemorate our good neighbours to the north. First, c/o the CBC, you can check out
their live blog of national events for the day. In fact, to fulfill nominally the title aspect of this diary, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accidentally forgot to mention one of the provinces in a speech today, where he read out the list:
'After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau omitted Alberta while reciting Canadian provinces during his speech, the show's co-host Sandra Oh noted the mistake.
Moments later, he jumped on the front of the stage, called out: "I love you, Alberta," and blew a kiss, before sitting down and shaking his head.'
Unfortunate, yes, but in the heat of the moment, semi-forgivable. Plus, at least he reacted quickly and realized his goof, and made quick amends. (Better than some leaders I can think of.)
"Last year, we raised taxes on the wealthiest one per cent so we could cut taxes for the middle class."
Note the contrast with the current Senate attempt to screw 22M middle class, working class, and poor Americans out of health care benefits to give the wealthiest Americans a big tax break.. Or note this passage that cites Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs:
"On June 6, Minister Freeland outlined a new foreign policy for Canada, and underscored our commitment to a rules-based international order, progressive trade policies, gender equality, and fighting climate change."
The total opposite of our government now, eh? Or note this passage:
"This month, we announced that we will introduce legislation to make it possible to erase the convictions for Canadians who were found guilty of consensual sexual activity with a same sex partner under historical, unjust laws."
Granted, one should always take official government statements, even from governments one likes, with a grain of salt. But it's nice to read a statement from a government that proudly proclaims progressive statements, and is also willing to look at its less honourable past clearly and make amends bigger than the inadvertent province-omission. In
his official Canada Day statement, dated today, Prime Minister Trudeau alludes to such past historical wrongs generally:
"As we mark Canada 150, we also recognize that for many, today is not an occasion for celebration. Indigenous Peoples in this country have faced oppression for centuries. As a society, we must acknowledge and apologize for past wrongs, and chart a path forward for the next 150 years – one in which we continue to build our nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationship with the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation."
Again, what a contrast to us now. (And again, to B-o-b and Jill Stein-voting idiots, who are still unapologetically proud of not voting for HRC, and thus put us in our current continually unspooling mess, thanks for nothing.)
"Catherine O’Hara, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario and Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A.
For her achievements as an internationally celebrated actor and for her groundbreaking contributions to Canadian film and television.
Alex Trebek, O.C.
Sudbury, Ontario and Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
For his iconic achievements in television and for his promotion of learning, notably as a champion for geographical literacy."
On an even more sefl-indulgently silly level than usual for 3CM, self wondered how many Prime Ministers of Canada he could name off the top of his cultural elitist head, strictly from memory. Here's the short list, INPO:
* John MacDonald
* Wilfred Laurier
* W.L. Mackenzie King
* John G. Diefenbaker ("Dief the Chief")
* Lester Pearson
* Pierre Trudeau
* Joe Clark
* Kim Campbell
* Brian Mulroney
* Jean Chretien
* Stephen Harper
* Justin Trudeau
With that, Happy Canada Day, and time for the standard SNLC protocol, namely your loser stories for the week....