We’re OK Canada

November 22, 2014

To: Editor, Globe and Mail (not published)

We're OK Canada

This last weekend I visited Ottawa to see my son who is currently attending Carleton University and works as a Page in the House of Commons.  Coming from Western Canada and working regularly in Toronto, I’ve had the chance to visit Ottawa before, and now, after the events of October 22, 2014 and the sad death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo. As I drove up the nation’s capital I wondered if the city had changed. Did the violence of that fall day change the city, the people and as a result Canada?

I have occasionally visited Ottawa since the time I was on a Rotary Club exchange in my last year of high school and over the visits developed a little tradition. Regardless of the time of day, I walk up to the Parliament buildings, wander over to the John A. MacDonald statue and have a chat with stern looking founding father of our country. I do this because I’m a proud and passionate Canadian.  And it’s my way of acknowledging this fact.

On this trip, I went twice to visit Parliament. The first visit was with my son in the evening after dinner. Standing close to the confederation flame we agreed everything looked very similar to pre-October 22. Other tourists were looking at the flame and glancing at the Peace Tower. There was even a group of women, clearly tourists, chatting with the RCMP officer. The second visit in the morning was my usual ritual to Parliament and my chat with John A. While the police presence was visible, I was free to wander around. It was exactly how I remembered it and how I believe it should be. Free and open to everyone.

Perhaps more interesting to me was who was there. I observed all ages, all shades of humanity and all engaged in their personal journey to acknowledge how great a country we live in. Wandering over the War Memorial, a similar scene was repeated over and over. And in some instances hugs and tears were part of the moment.

Upon reflection I realized that no matter where you live in this county, when the appropriate time and place presents itself, you get the significance and you act. We understand the sacrifices of Corporal Nathan Cirillo and many others before him made, we get that being a police officer means you strap on a gun when you go to work and we get the sacrifices many people make daily to move our country forward. Sure we are all busy with life, but when it matters, we are there.

Canada is you, Canada is me, Canada is us.

So, it’s with that last thought I ask our federal political leaders from all parties to remember when you deliberate on solutions to the events of October 22, 2014 please remember that Canada is not determined by the actions of one, but rather the actions of all of us. And that is something that would make Sir John A. MacDonald’s statue smile, even on a cold winter day. It sure did for me.