As Canadians get ready to celebrate the first holiday weekend of the summer, there are lots of reasons to be grateful to be living in this country on Canada Day.
Among them is the fact that our country, which turns 151 on Sunday, continues to be highly regarded on the world stage.
A U.S. News & World Report's Best Countries report that evaluated countries on everything from economic influence, power, citizenship and quality of life, earlier this year declared Canada as the second best country in the world for 2018. Switzerland came in first place.
To determine the top countries, Y&R's BAV Group and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania developed a model that identified 65 attributes, which were then presented in a survey to more than 21,000 business leaders, elites and general citizens around the world. Participants assessed how closely they associated an attribute with a nation.
The report showed Canada finished first in the quality of life category, after survey respondents scored each country on nine topics – affordable, a good job market, economically stable, family friendly, income equality, politically stable, safe, well-developed public education system and well-developed public health system.
Those attributes likely were big draws for refugees who have been forced to flee their countries due to persecution, war or other violence. Figures from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees show the number of asylum claims climbed to 47,800 in 2017, more than double the 23,600 received the previous year. Many asylum seekers are eager to find a home that touts democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion – things Canadians take for granted every day.
Another survey, released this week by the Reputation Institute, shows Canada remains on the top 10 list of most reputable countries, based on more than 58,000 individual ratings among the general public in the G8 economies. Another feather in Canada's cap.
This country's image as a politically stable, safe, family friendly, affordable place to live is something to relish these days, particularly given the current situation south of the border.
It's a struggle day-to-day to keep up with the comments and actions of U.S. President Donald Trump, who, in a campaign rally this week in South Carolina, lashed out again at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over his recent G7 summit speech in Charlevoix, Que. Trudeau has yet to be drawn into a war of words with the American leader, who has called the prime minister "weak" and "very dishonest". While continuing to staunchly defend federal trade policies, the PM has maintained a decorum and civility that the world has come to expect from Canada and its people. It sends a strong message and one that Canadians, no matter your political affiliation, can get behind.
So, St. Albert residents, don the red and white, wave the Maple Leaf flags and sing the national anthem loudly at this weekend's festivities in Rotary Park on Riel Drive and at St. Albert Place. We have plenty to be proud of!
