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day celebration
Although the classrooms will be empty for two months, who says the learning has to stop? Taking advantage of holidays, celebrations and festivals presents great opportunities to reinforce teachable moments. And what better summer learning opportunity is there than the biggest birthday party in town on July 1?
In Canada we have built a nation replete with social protections to ensure our citizens can enjoy a high quality of life. It's not perfect. Far too many still slip through the safety nets. Yet when they do, ordinary Canadians fill the gap through national and local organizations, and with their own individual efforts. For us, Hannah represents the essence of being Canadian.
I love the very philosophy that guides our society: peace, order and good government. Our constitution is wise to mention these principles as foundations of our way of life. Although the American motto of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" explicitly mentions freedom, it is in fact the Canadian incantation that provides for real liberty.
I have crossed oceans and travelled miles to come to Canada, not because of its weather, to watch hockey or to enjoy what Tim Horton's has to offer on its menu. Many people choose Canada to enjoy a life of liberty and freedom -- freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought and belief, freedom of opinion and expression; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of association as guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedom.
We as Canadians readily admit that everyone should be equal, but when Canadians learn about our country's ongoing discrimination in citizenship law, they seem content sitting in silence.
