I have been in love with Canada today. I just look at the flag and get chills and tingles and a big screaming smile. It’s the most perfect flag on the planet. The colours are bold, it’s simple and it has a unique motif right in the middle. Those Euro flags bore the stink out of me. Yay, 3 colours some horizontal, some vertical - how creative! Just check out Z waving and smiling like a proud little beaver.

That was the highlight of the day. The rest of it was just kinda “meh.” If you splash landed in North Vancouver today and wondered what Canada was all about you’d think we were a nation of salmon eating special interest groups who adore politicians and rock n roll cover bands.

That’s what Waterfront Park had to offer in North Vancouver today. Assorted booths from federal and provincial politicians, tents for Community Corrections and North Shore Immigrants. Some 50+ man I didnt recognize was talking municipal political shop with equally senior members of his generation in the salmon line up while a cover band sang “Surfin USA” (they couldnt even change the lyrics?). There was a big map on the side where people could push a pin to show where they’re from. (Even on Canada Day you get to hyphenate your nationality)

I don’t know what I’d rather have seen done differently. Perhaps a wider expanse of food options? (There was salmon, burgers, smokies). Perhaps a venue that is stroller accessible? (5 flights of stairs to get from one side to the other). Some kids playing street hockey, a lumberjack show, some highland dancing, maybe even the anthem?

Heck, Jen and I did the HBC Run For Canada this morning, and they didn’t even play the anthem before that started (odd).

In the end it was a Canada Day celebration that was just kind of “there” you know? Not spectacular, not atrocious, it just showed up and made an effort - just like Canada, but unlike our flag.

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