On this day in 1867, the United Kingdom enacted the British North America Act (today called the Constitution Act of 1867), which united three British colonies into a single country within the British Empire, to be known as Canada. This day was known as "Dominion Day" until 1982, when the UK granted full independence. As they are still under the British Commonwealth, I wonder if they can tell any difference. Maybe one of our Canadian friends -- you both know who you are -- can explain it.We here at man with black hat would like to wish our Canadian friends a very happy and totally bodacious Canada Day, especially Nicholas Wansbutter, Peter Vere, Shawn and Deborah Tribe, Owen Swain, Kathy Shaidle, Dave, Jian, Mike, and Murray, formerly of Moxy Früvous, and, last but not least, the Reverend Vicki Obedkoff. (Oh, yeah. Long story, that one.)
Meanwhile, watch as this young lassie makes a case that she is #proudtobecanadian, if only for this week's Friday Afternoon Moment of Whimsy.
2 comments:
And, you forgot me entirely, first and last name in your life of Canadian readers. But it's not like I'm offended because I'm Canadian and we are extremely tolerant.
As to you question about noticing my difference between before being fully independent yet simultaneously still on a minor technicality a part of the British Commonwealth - on a day to day living I'd don't think most of us notice any difference at all. Any kind of colonialist sensibility has been pretty much since the decade after WW2. I was born in '59 and the difference in my life before 1982 and after in terms of the UK BC is effectively nil. The singing of God Save the Queen hasn't been done for decades. I barely recall singing it myself though I did in the early 60s.
We still have the office of the Governor General of Canada but even that's a thin link to the Crown now. My gran was a total Monarchist. I never got it and I get it even less now as a Catholic - being that the Queen is Anglican and we do recall what that was all about. An acquaintance of mine here is a stanch Catholic, and a Monarchist. I've asked him, WTH? and he's tried to give a reasonable answer for Papist & Monarchist but really, I don't get it.
P.S. Happy July 4th in advance.
Owen:
Thanks for the info. Your concern has been noted, and the matter is nipped in the proverbial bud.
DLA
Post a Comment