For a fine description of what it means to be a first-generation Canadian, try nottawa's take. I never looked at it this way before, but there is something about Mark's perspective that has struck a chord in this first-generation Canadian.
Once you've finished with that, there is always the ahistorical blather of the pseudo-separatists.
I say pseudo-separatists because they slag Canada at every opportunity but are pathologically unable to remove themselves from the federal transfer tit long enough to advocate that Newfoundland and Labrador become an independent country once more.
Mark is right about one thing in particular. Newfoundland and Labrador should celebrate March 31st and the Prime Minister ought to make a habit of noting this day.
This is a day all Canadians should be proud of, especially as we go around the world helping others to develop the democracy of which we are so rightly proud.
Happy Confederation Day!
Left: Signing of the Terms of Union between Canada and Newfoundland, 11 December 1948.Sir Albert Walsh (seated, right), chairman of the Newfoundland delegation, signs the Terms of Union at the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
Seated next Walsh is Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent.
Standing (left to right): Hon. Milton F. Gregg, Minister of Veterans' Affairs; Hon. J.J. McCann, Minister of National Revenue; Hon. Brooke Claxton, Minister of National Defence; F. Gordon Bradley, Gordon A. Winter, Philip Grouchy, Joseph R. Smallwood and J.B. McEvoy [members of the Newfoundland delegation].
Photo: National Archives of Canada/PA-128072.
