2017 marks a significant moment in the History of Canada. 150 years ago, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia united to create the Canadian Confederation, called the Dominion of Canada. On account of the British North America Act that became law on July 1st 1867, these British colonies would be recognized as an independent nation. In the years that followed, the other provinces and territories joined the Dominion, making today’s Canada “a mari usque ad mare” (“from sea to sea”).
The 150th anniversary of Confederation gives us the opportunity to celebrate together our shared values and our country’s place in the world. The major themes of the 150th anniversary of Confederation are diversity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, environment and youth.
The following video is the speech that was given in Cercle Cité, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.