Celebrating a Great Day in the Life of the New Canada

I suppose I could have asked for one more thing to make yesterday an even more perfect day.

I could have asked the Great Polar Bear God of the Great White North to make it stop raining, and make spring feel like spring not winter.

But that would have been greedy, because for me at least, yesterday was a great day to be living in the New Canada.

For starters there was this decision that provided justice, at last, for women in Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island expects to be providing abortions by the end of the year, as the country’s last holdout gave up its opposition in the face of a legal challenge from a women’s advocacy group. The last elective abortion on the island was in 1982.

Which many women's rights activists had worked so hard and so long to finally achieve.

And what I particularly enjoyed was that it was the Charter of Rights that won the day again.

So it was great to see the son of the man who brought in that Charter tweeting his approval.



And standing up for women's rights again, at a time when so much misogyny is in the air.

And this was a bonus.

Because transgendered Canadians have never had a Canadian Prime Minister even recognize that they exist, let alone celebrate their lives. So it couldn't be more welcome.

And then there was the news that the economy might finally be recovering. 

Canada’s economy posted its best month since mid-2013 in January, in a broad-based growth spurt that provides the strongest sign yet that the country’s fortunes have turned the corner.

Which was great not just because it's good news for the unemployed, and the government's spending plans.

But also because it made the Cons look like losers. Again.

With Jason Kenney leading the pack...





As only he could. 

Because for him and his depraved leader it was always only about Alberta, and never about Canada...



And they are sorry losers.

But I think what gave me the greatest pleasure yesterday was reading another story  in a foreign magazine praising Justin Trudeau.

But also giving the rest of us some credit. 

Trudeaumania isn’t just about him, it’s about the country he represents. Who else is still pulling off the whole hopey-changey thing, still surfing a wave of sunny progressive feeling when the US and much of Europe are increasingly convulsed with rage against either poor migrants or privileged elites, or both? 

Perhaps it feels different if you live there. But from the outside at least, Canada seems to be pulling off the elusive trick of remaining tolerant, relaxed and at ease with itself in challenging circumstances with more aplomb than most.

And praising our country for being a progressive model, after so many years of having been seen as a pariah nation thanks to this monstrous beast...



Who shamed us over and over again in the eyes of the world.

And yes, what a difference an election can make.

And how different is the New Canada and this prime minister...



Who has somehow managed to repair our image abroad, something I thought would take years, in just a matter of months.

Oh sure, I  know we have a hard slog ahead of us, and we have to keep pushing for real change so we can be as good as I know we can be.

But isn't it great to be living in a decent and truly Canadian country again?

Great Furry God of the Great White North now make it all even MORE perfect for your humble servant Simon.

If that's possible.

Lift me even higher.

And bring me summer as fast as you can...



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