Canada Day is time when Canadians from all regions, backgrounds and walks of life join in common celebration of our historic achievements as a people and the extraordinary blessings we enjoy as a nation.

Through hard work and shared commitment we have grown, in 130 years, from a colony into one of the Group of Seven leading democracies of the world.

We have offered an open invitation to people from the world over to come to Canada and join us in building a new kind of nation, one where tolerance and respect for diversity are source of strength and unity, not conflict and division.

We have evolved institutions and programs that give concrete expression to the values that unite all Canadians: compassion, fairness, and sharing.

Our mettle has been tested in war, and our commitment to world peace proven time and time again in the far-flung outposts of international peacekeeping.

Our quality of life is second to none. Indeed, the United Nations has just confirmed Canada's ranking - for the fourth year running - as the best place in the world to live.

We have accomplished much together. And I am convinced that our best days lie ahead.

I wish each and every one of you a very Happy Canada Day!