Every year on July 1, Canadians across the world celebrate Canada Day with great enthusiasm and national pride. Last month, I had the privilege of visiting Toronto to attend the graduation ceremony of my beloved son, Krish Vankwani, at the prestigious University of Toronto. While the primary purpose of my visit was to celebrate a parent’s proudest moments, it also became an opportunity to witness firsthand the values that have shaped Canada into one of the world’s most respected nations.
The campus was alive with excitement as graduating students celebrated their achievements and looked toward the future with hope and confidence. At the same time, preparations for Canada Day were already underway. Throughout Toronto and across the country, the red and white colours of the Canadian flag become the dominant theme on this national occasion.
Canada has always inspired me as a model society founded upon the golden principles of tolerance, mutual respect, inclusivity and peaceful coexistence. Once an integral part of the British Empire, Canada was formally established on July 1, 1867, when the British Parliament passed the British North America Act, establishing the Dominion of Canada. More than a century later, in 1982, the national holiday officially became known as Canada Day. Today, it celebrates not only Canada’s sovereignty and remarkable progress but also its enduring commitment to democracy, unity, and freedom.
Despite achieving self-governance, Canadians struggled for nearly a century to adopt a distinctive national flag. Years of public debates, parliamentary discussions and dozens of design submissions finally culminated in the adoption of the iconic Maple Leaf flag on February 15, 1965. During the historic ceremony on Parliament Hill, the enthusiastic crowd was singing the national anthem. It was declared that the new flag would symbolise the unity of all Canadians regardless of race, language, religion or political belief. That vision has since become one of the defining pillars of modern-day Canada.
Today, Canada ranks among the world’s leading economies and is a prominent member of the UN, G7, G20, Nato and several other international forums. Its longstanding commitment to peacekeeping, democracy, human rights and international cooperation has earned widespread respect across the world. Equally important is Canada’s domestic commitment to protecting diversity through the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees fundamental rights, including freedom of religion, while prohibiting discrimination and hate based on race, ethnicity, language, gender or faith.
Canada’s universities continue to attract thousands of talented international students every year, reflecting the country’s belief that education is the foundation of peace and prosperity. Watching my son, Krish Vankwani, successfully complete his academic journey while actively participating in social and community initiatives demonstrated another defining feature of Canada: an individual’s identity is shaped not by race, religion, or ethnicity, but by character, competence and respect for the law.
Canada’s decades-long journey towards adopting its national flag also teaches an important lesson: determined nations pursue their collective aspirations with patience, perseverance, and unwavering commitment until their goals are achieved.
For me, the unforgettable moments shared with my son Krish at the University of Toronto represented not only the joy of a proud father but also a rare opportunity to witness a society that transforms diversity into strength rather than division.
On this Canada Day, that universal message of peace, inclusion, and coexistence deserves to resonate far beyond Canada’s borders, especially in today’s world, which increasingly needs bridges rather than barriers.
The writer is a member of the National Assembly and patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council. He tweets/posts @RVankwani
