CANADA DAY

June 27, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

The following is a written text released by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to mark Canada Day 2003:

On Canada Day we celebrate a country and a people like no other – a great people who stand united by shared values of freedom, tolerance, sharing and compassion and come together proudly in a rich culture of diversity.

We were guided by these values as we met the challenges of this past year. On the world stage, we contributed toward security, reconciliation, peace, and reconstruction. We ratified the Kyoto Protocol and joined an international effort to combat climate change. Here at home, we improved our health care system to make it stronger and sustainable for generations to come and we succeeded in making Canada's political system more transparent and accountable.

Our economy remains robust – one of the strongest of the G-8. We have a secure financial base that allows us to invest in research and innovation as well as make historic investments in our people, especially families and children, so that each one of us has a greater opportunity to achieve our dreams.

Today, as we celebrate Canada, we must savour these accomplishments. And we must renew our commitment to work together to realize the full potential of our place in the world and our place in history. For Canadians are never complacent. We are nourished by hopes and dreams and the belief that the best days are always to come – there is always more to do to make our nation even better with a quality of life second to none.

Aline joins me in wishing each and every Canadian the best Canada Day ever.

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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555