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Archiver > Scotch-Irish > 1998-07 > 0899312960


From: Paul & Donna Spears <>
Subject: Re: Happy July 1st: CANADA DAY / ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF SOMME
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 12:09:20 -0500


Hey Brian and all Canadians!
Happy Canadian Day......We wish you all the best! Have a good day!
Donna

Brian McConnell wrote:
>
> Well...the Americans have had their say about INDEPENDENCE DAY, now it's
> a Canadians turn to speak about CANADA DAY.
>
> Although the States celebrates in 3 days, today in Canada's big fete -
> CANADA DAY - all banks, post offices, government buildings are closed.
> Almost every town has a parade. Today we celebrate that Canada is 131
> years old. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (which is government
> funded and mandated) will televise shows throughout the day promoting
> the multicultural make-up of Canada. It will also no doubt repeatedly
> state that the UN has selected Canada as the BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO
> LIVE. Many Canadians remain unconvinced.
>
> Here in Canada, we are not enjoying the economic prosperity of the U.S.
> - OUR DOLLAR once (in 1958) worth more than the U.S. Dollar is now
> hovering below 68 cents U.S.
>
> The UNEMPLOYMENT RATE remains solidly in double figures in many parts of
> the county and economic GROWTH is slow.
>
> The quality of public HEALTH CARE and EDUCATION continues to decline
> amidst government financial cutbacks and our doctors and nurses are
> fleeing to the States for better pay and improved facilities.
>
> Toronto, once called the "Belfast of Canada", because the largest group
> of its population were of Ulster descent or immigrants from there and
> 90% of the people were British, is now 55% non-European, including
> British, according to a recent study. How many of you knew that
> Kingston, Ontario was once called the "Londonderry (or Derry) of Canada"
> too and that a committee has been struck in Kingston to erect a monument
> to the many Irish and Scotch-Irish that passed through Kingston?
>
> What we do have is a massive social net including unemployment
> insurance, government grants for work projects, multiculturalism, and
> minority affirmative action programs that has led us to have the highest
> taxes in the western world. This is turn discourages investment,
> development, and competitiveness.
>
> Despite all this there is reason for Canadians to celebrate. We are the
> nation that allows in more refugees than just about anywhere else and
> one of only 3 countries to actually have an internet site encouraging
> people to immigrate here which is paid for by Canadian taxes.
>
> Still I will take time to thank my good fortunate on being a Canadian
> and I will raise the Canadian flag on our flag pole in the backyard and
> go off with the rest of the family parade to enjoy the local parade. My
> mother's ancestors were Scotch-Irish who settled in Upper Canada in the
> 1840's before there was a Canada. The largest town was named Little
> Britain. I made a trip back there last month. The old saying about you
> can never go back to a place was certainly true. Now this once quaint
> rural farming area has become encircled by the urban sprawl of southern
> Ontario and the large cloud of smog that hangs over all of Ontario as
> far north as North Bay and Sudbury, according to recently released
> government statistics, was evident. I kept thinking "they (which I
> suppose includes me) wrecked the place".
>
> Nevertheless, ours is still a relatively peaceful and very beautiful
> country. And, Canadians are suppose to be a caring, patient, peaceful
> lot; that's why we do not have any soldiers left in our Armed Forces,
> just peace keepers.
>
> I will also take a moment to remember that today, in addition to being
> CANADA DAY is also the anniversary of one of the most horrific battles
> to take place in the history of Ulster, and one which caused loss and
> pain for almost every family living in Ulster - THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME
> - more than 5,400 Ulstermen died that day during World War I.
>
> So, finally all you Scotch-Irish today PLEASE take a moment to think of
> CANADA DAY and also pause to contemplate the grievous loss to N.I., and
> all of Ireland for that matter, brought about by the BATTLE OF THE
> SOMME. No doubt someone related or connected to all of us suffered a
> loss that day on a battlefield in France. The number of native sons of
> Ulster who were lost no doubt changed the course of history for Ulster.
>
> Brian McConnell

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