O Canada

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: John Ames Birch <Birch403@outlook.com> Date: Wed., May 26, 2021, 7:36 p.m. Subject: O Canada (Opinion) To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>, Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca>, dujarric@un.org <dujarric@un.org>, Rota, Anthony - Riding 1 <Anthony.Rota.C1@parl.gc.ca>, antonio.ferrari@un.org <antonio.ferrari@un.org>, ANKRA-Consular@international.gc.ca <ANKRA-Consular@international.gc.ca>, ASKUS <ASKUS@novascotia.ca>, Minister, AGRI AGRI:EX <AGR.Minister@gov.bc.ca>, assistance@liberal.ca <assistance@liberal.ca>, Blanchet, Yves-François - Député <Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca>, Bennett, Carolyn - M.P. <carolyn.bennett@parl.gc.ca>, amesbirch403@gmail.com <amesbirch403@gmail.com>, ctvottawa@ctv.ca <ctvottawa@ctv.ca>, contactus@newfoundlandlabrador.com <contactus@newfoundlandlabrador.com>, Qualtrough, Carla - M.P. <Carla.Qualtrough@parl.gc.ca>, Christine.Myatt@gov.ab.ca <Christine.Myatt@gov.ab.ca>, doug.fordco@pc.ola.org <doug.fordco@pc.ola.org>, Duclos, Jean-Yves - Député <Jean-Yves.Duclos@parl.gc.ca>, David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca <David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca>, EDC Minister <Education.Minister@gov.ab.ca>, Elizabeth.May@parl.gc.ca <Elizabeth.May@parl.gc.ca>, ePapersupport@montrealgazette.com <ePapersupport@montrealgazette.com>, Francois-Philippe.Champagne@parl.gc.ca <Francois-Philippe.Champagne@parl.gc.ca>, Fisher, Gordon <gfisher@postmedia.com>, Francois.Legault.ASSO@assnat.qc.ca <Francois.Legault.ASSO@assnat.qc.ca>, Garneau, Marc - Député <marc.garneau@parl.gc.ca>, GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>, GlobalBarrie@globalnews.ca <GlobalBarrie@globalnews.ca>, health@ctv.ca <health@ctv.ca>, hmooney@postmedia.com <hmooney@postmedia.com>, Info@hc-sc.gc.ca <Info@hc-sc.gc.ca>, jsavikataaq@gov.nu.ca <jsavikataaq@gov.nu.ca>, Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca <Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca>, jedmiston@nationalpost.com <jedmiston@nationalpost.com>, jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca <jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca>, Johnston, Patrick <pjohnston@postmedia.com>, Justin.Brattinga@gov.ab.ca <Justin.Brattinga@gov.ab.ca>, jason.darrah@banff.ca <jason.darrah@banff.ca>, Letters@calgaryherald.com <Letters@calgaryherald.com>, lmotley@postmedia.com <lmotley@postmedia.com>, Lerb@gov.ab.ca <Lerb@gov.ab.ca>, minister.edu@ontario.ca <minister.edu@ontario.ca>, montrealcommunity@ctv.ca <montrealcommunity@ctv.ca>, mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca <mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca>, News@KelownaNow.com <News@kelownanow.com>, newsonline@ctv.ca <newsonline@ctv.ca>, PARIS-MEDIA@international.gc.ca <PARIS-MEDIA@international.gc.ca>, premier@gov.pe.ca <premier@gov.pe.ca>, premier@gov.sk.ca <premier@gov.sk.ca>, premier@gov.bc.ca <premier@gov.bc.ca>, premier@gov.nt.ca <premier@gov.nt.ca>, premier@gov.yk.ca <premier@gov.yk.ca>, premier@gov.nl.ca <premier@gov.nl.ca>, Pablo.Rodriguez@parl.gc.ca <Pablo.Rodriguez@parl.gc.ca>, Rockett, Alan <alan.rockett@vancouver.ca>, submit@calgaryherald.com <submit@calgaryherald.com>, shannon.kerr@novascotia.ca <shannon.kerr@novascotia.ca>

Hey everyone, Recently and given the time of the year I've been thinking about this great nation of ours. I'm proud to have been birthed by the maple leaf and am in awe of my fellow Canadians. I have been reading in the news lately about how some provinces have been seeking greater autonomy. To me this is troubling because it undermines what we have built here together. This nation is made great because of all the different provinces and territories that represent a diverse population. Within each province and territory is a piece to the puzzle of what it means to be a Canadian. To lose a province or territory would be akin to losing a limb from the glorious maple tree that is us. Throughout this pandemic we have seen the best representation of who our nation is. We have seen everyday Canadians unite and rise against the adversity of today. Through it all despite a few hiccups we have united both as nation and national to overcome this pandemic. We cannot lose sight of our unity, of what we have built together. In a years time we have demonstrated what it means to cooperate. In this time we have overcome challenges, Instituted new endeavors and helped one another to our feet. I realize that there are many factors in our history that might return to disturb this unity but we cannot let them. Instead we need to solidify the connections we have built to take us forwards to the future of Canada. I realize that while great, our nation still isn't perfect. This is why we need to stand together to improve upon what we have built. Now is the time to reforge the bonds between provinces, territories and government. We built this nation out of a drive to unite the different parts of who we are into a beautiful ideal. What we have built thus far is amazing, a multicultural nation with a diverse and unique populace. People from all over the world from different faiths, genders, orientations, identities, ethnic backgrounds and birthplaces coming together to unite together under the red and white. I ask that in that spirit of cooperation we continue to build together, dream together and stand together. Instead of pulling away from each other we need to band together to do what is right for all Canadians. I ask that we start a process to reforge our collective common ground in the face of any adversity. I ask that we stand proud, province and territory, nation and national, civilian and government to ensure Canada remains strong. Stay safe, stay sanitized and stay supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2 Get Outlook for Android