Canada is commemorating its 143^rd birthday this July 1^st. This is an important milestone that is worthy of celebration, not just because we are about to enjoy a long weekend, but also as an opportunity to reflect and contemplate.

As someone who was born outside of Canada, I have a unique appreciation for what it offers me and my fellow citizens. Many countries around the world deny rights and privileges that we consider basic here in Canada. Governments and their officials are meant to serve their citizens not the other way around.

There are countries where state police agents have a blank cheque to intimidate citizens and trample all over their rights. Places where economic and social opportunities are tied proportionally to who you know instead of merit and abilities.

I have lived in countries where dissent is equated to treason. I have seen governments infringe on the rights of citizens under the guise of security. I have observed governments equating tightening their grip on power with security for their citizens. I grew up hearing that providing minorities their full rights is tantamount to a threat to national unity and mainstream culture.

Such unjust and cruel norms that may be common in other countries are completely rejected in Canada where we have rules that are setup to protect against similar transgressions.

Not only do Canada and Canadian institutions outlaw similar practices but we are frequently reminded to remain sensitive against coming close to crossing such boundaries.

Examining these stark differences between Canada and other countries fills me with pride and confidence. Canada’s fundamental respect for its citizens and their rights are values that we must celebrate and protect passionately.

We also need to refrain from feeling smug or start taking these privileges we have for granted. Canada didn’t achieve what it achieved without sacrifice and vigilance. It didn’t happen easily.

We cannot afford to be complacent otherwise we will squander away our good fortunes and leave our country to future generations in worse shape than the one we inherited.

Think about it. Have you ever imagined that in Canada people and/or organizations would be punished for disagreeing with their government and that some organizations would lose their funding because they were critical of government’s policies? Have you ever imagined that the Prime Minister would shut down Parliament arbitrarily twice within one year denying Parliamentarian the ability to hold him accountable? Have you ever imagined that in Canada one’s citizenship would be questioned if they were born or worked abroad? Have you ever imagined that thoughtful and rational debates about the Middle East would be suppressed in Canada? Have you ever imagined that if people would question our policy in Afghanistan they would be accused of being Taliban sympathizers? Have you ever imagined seeing Canada’s largest city locked down with chain-linked fences and overwhelming presence of armed police officers?

Those developments may have appeared farfetched and unbelievable few years ago, but today they are Canadian reality. We all should be concerned with the direction that our country is moving towards.

I am afraid that we are sleepwalking backwards, and if we don’t stop this slide, one day we will wake up wondering how we got to that point.

It is on the occasion of Canada Day that we need to assess the direction that our country has embarked on and decide if it is in sync with our vision and expectations.

Canadians have deep attachment to our values and institutions. We need to recognize that it is our individual duty to protect and nurture them. Those values and institutions have offered Canadians the opportunity to pursue their aspirations convinced that they will be justly rewarded.

For me personally, Canada has allowed me to dream beyond what I would have ever dared of dreaming on my own. It is my appreciation for Canada that drives my ambition to see Canada do even better.

Canada did not become one of the best countries in the world by accident. It was the result of the hard work of its citizens.

It is now the responsibility of today’s citizens to decide if they support the direction our country is moving towards or if they don’t. Do we care enough to get involved to ensure that our voices are heard?

Happy Canada Day!