What Canada Day means to me.

Canada Day is a day that comes once a year, just like New Years, Christmas, etc. but only for Canadians. It would seem that most countries take one day a year to observe and celebrate the accomplishments and pride their people have in their home and native land. Canada Day is no different, and it is evident that it means a lot of different things to everyone. 

So, what does Canada Day mean to this Canuck? That's a good question, as I'm not entirely sure what this day actually does mean to me. Normally, my Canada Days have consisted of celebrating our pride, our heritage and above all else a national statutory holiday (Day off!). Everywhere you go, you see Canadian flags donned in every size you could think of whether it be in people's hands, tattooed, drawn or painted on them. People from all walks of life in Canada adorn the central symbol that represents all that we stand for as a country. 

So Canada, why do we have a holiday? I could go research some heritage moments, and re-cap all of the great things we have done as a country in the past 100+ years. Here are my ideas as to why we should celebrate!

Poutine, probably the #1 most well-known Canadian dish. This beauty can be found all over, and it's as simple as "french" fries covered in gravy and cheese curds. Of course, now you can find different variations on this time-tested recipe. Behold poutine in all of it's cheesy, gravy covered glory. You're welcome.

Here is a more local reason to celebrate Canada Day! In Halifax, Nova Scotia, in some unknown pizzeria shop a donair was created and no one is exactly 100% sure of the donairs origin within Halifax, Nova Scotia, but I think we should be proud of this ground-breaking food. Without donair we would be without donair sauce. If you haven't been to Nova Scotia, then I suggest one of the first things you try, is a donair!

Canada is also 10 years strong on the gay marriage front. If that is not something progressive we can all celebrate about, I don't know what is! Let's give a big hoorah, for being one-step ahead of our neighbors south of the border!

These are just a few of things that symbolize why I celebrate Canada Day, and why I think we all need to take a second and thank our lucky stars for being able to stand free on this country's soil, marry who we love, and eat poutine and donair by the bucket load if we so choose.

So here's to Canada our home and native land!