A Word from Our Chair | Canada Day
Tomorrow is Canada Day.
Our country is a model for many democracies around the world. Canada has a long history of pursuing equality regardless of gender, sexuality, religion, or country of origin; maintaining peaceful changes of government; providing public services to all; ensuring freedoms of expression and of faith; and demonstrating compassion for those forced to flee persecution and seek a better life. These are values cherished by all Canadians.
But like any democracy, Canada has its challenges and flaws. We’ve had missteps as a nation and made serious mistakes along the way. Canada Day affords us an opportunity to celebrate Canada while also pausing to reflect so we can improve our country. More than anything else, Canada is an aspiration, something we are building together.
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| Clockwise: Members of the Canadian Coalition to Combat Online Hate, April 2022; Toronto Pride Parade, June 2022; At the Victor Goldman Awards honouring Chief Robert Joseph; CIJA and JFGV with the Surrey Guru Nanak Food Bank, partnering together after the BC floods |
On July 1 this year, let’s look at our country – now one of the most diverse on the planet – honestly and fairly. While we consider how we can improve our governance, protections, and rights, there is much for which we should be grateful.
In 2022, Canada remains among the best places in the world in which to be Jewish, and we can take pride in our community’s efforts to strengthen all minorities who, together, comprise a peaceful and rich diversity unknown almost anywhere else in the world.
On behalf of all of us at CIJA,
Happy Canada Day to you and yours!
Gail Adelson-Marcovitz
Chair, National Board of Directors
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