Canadian Unity Celebrated at Canada Day Breakfast

Canadian Unity Celebrated at Canada Day Breakfast

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Canada is a country which is composed of communities who care and value inclusiveness. Togetherness was celebrated with the traditional Canada Day’s Pancake Breakfast at Vegreville Social Centre on July 1.

Following this, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan/Vegreville, Jackie Armstrong- Homeniuk said a speech on behalf of the Province of Alberta. “We are celebrating Canada today. Sometimes, it is easy for us to forget a nation we all call home was united through the pursuit of a dream that once was thought of as impossible. On the first of July 1867, our nation’s founders created this great country. We know we can count on Canadians, we stand up for each other, and our successes have always come from its people. Each time others have tried to extinguish the liberties we enjoy, Canadians have promptly stood up to defend the values we live by. We have taken pride in our Canadian Arm Forces and have admired their role as projectors and peacekeepers both globally and within our borders. Today, we celebrate how much they have accomplished together and we set our sights on the future. Together, we will keep building a country where every Canadian, no matter where you’re from has a real and fair chance to succeed.”

While enjoying the pancake breakfast, citizens who came from other countries commented on how Canada is different from where they were born. Marie Wispinski said she was born in Holland and came to Canada when she was 20 years old. “Holland is a very crowded country compare to Canada. I came to Canada because my brother wanted to farm and he couldn’t find the land he wanted to work on in Holland,” Marie said. “Actually, Holland is very fond of Canada because Canada helped and saved Holland during World War II.”

Sherley Jorge who came to Canada from the Philippines said it is 30 degrees every day of the year in the Phillipines. There is no snow. It is very tropical. Canadians are usually friendlier than the people but it depends on what area you lived in, in the Philipines. I have been in Vegreville for almost 13 years now. I find it to be a laid back town that has lots of friendly people in it.

Milene Rozmahel who came from Peru and has lived in Canada for 35 years now said the weather is a lot warmer in Peru. “But Canada has so many friendly people and is a big country with plenty of space for everyone. I like experiencing the four seasons we have in Canada whereas in Peru we don’t have that. In Vegreville, people have been good to me. I have a lot of friends here. I am proud to be a Canadian; especially a Vegrevillan. I am grateful to be in Canada because I was able to provide my children with an education, health care, and an environment where they can feel safe. Unfortunately, as beautiful as Peru is, my children would not have that. Also, since I came to Canada, I have never felt discriminated against or like I was any less than anybody.”

Knights of Columbus with Vegreville Council (Town of Vegreville) and County of Minburn Council prepared the pancakes and accessories.