BY GIANNI UBRIACO
For some Canadians who have become accustomed to our way of
life, Canada's 139th birthday this past weekend came and
went without much of a second thought.
But that's definitely not the case for those who have moved
to Canada from other countries in search of a better life for
themselves.
Girja Srivastava was born in India, but moved to Canada 34
years ago. Her husband lived here and she hoped by moving here,
she could start a new life and have a brighter future. All her
hopes and dreams have been realized.
"We're so proud to be Canadian and we respect
Canada's diversity," she said. "It's a great
country to live in because of its multiculturalism."
The member of the Sudbury Prarthana Samaj takes pride in
Canada's birthday and feels it's a great time for
Canadians to reflect on how lucky they are to live in a
peaceful nation.
"I love living in Canada," she says. "It feels
like we are free and we live in cleanliness and happiness and
peace. That's the best thing here. Canada has a lot of
peace and we don't live in fear. There's no war and no
fighting here."
Karen Chen is another person who came to this country with
hopes and dreams. She was born in China, grew up in Taiwan and
then moved to Canada 31 years ago.
"This is my country now," says Chen, a member of the
Sudbury Chinese Community Centre. "China is almost like my
biological parents, but Canada is my home. I can't go back
now. This is my home now."
Similarly, Joy Kalu was born in Africa, but moved to Canada
over three decades ago to be married and build a new life here.
"I've lived here longer than I've lived anywhere
else," she says. "I'm very proud to be
Canadian."
People from all over the world come to because we share a
common ethnic courtesy, she says.
"I've had a lot of fun in Canada and I love
Canada," says Kalu. "You have so many people from
different backgrounds coming together as one nation, and what
else can be more special than that?"
People who have spent their whole lives in Canada also realize
how lucky they are.
"To me, Canada Day is just a wonderful time to celebrate
our melting pot of multiculturalism," says Patty Mearini
of the Irish Heritage Club of Canada.
"We have a chance to live in freedom. We have a lot of
choices and so many opportunities."