EDITOR,
Canada Day is a time for celebration.
It's the people of Squamish creating a Canadian flag out of red cupcakes and white cupcakes, displayed on toothpicks and arranged in just the perfect layout.
It's dogs and kids everywhere, frolicking freely.
It's bands and music and, yes, it's also balloons.
Balloons are made of plastic, but that's not what they are. Balloons are mirth. Balloons are spirit. Balloons are celebration.
Balloons are what you see at your son's fifth birthday party, or your daughter's high-school graduation. They're what you see on Mother's Day, or New Year's Eve. They're what you see on Canada Day.
The health of our local wildlife matters, so I appreciate Ms. Froslev's comments ("Balloons harm wildlife," Chief, July 8). The danger she mentions is a concern, and that's why I invited her to help plan next year's Canada Day celebration.Like everything in life, even great things can be improved, and I know that those who organized this year's Canada Day in Squamish would welcome the engagement, participation, effort, and ideas that Ms. Froslev can offer.
I'd like to thank the organizers, the members of the District of Squamish, for hosting such a great event. The Squamish day parade's march to the cenotaph; the raising of the Canadian flag; the heartfelt remarks by Mayor Greg Gardner, MLA Joan McIntyre, and Squamish Nation Councillor Dale Harry; the lively dancing of Squamish Nation youth; the friends and cupcakes and laughs - thank you for bringing us all together to share these wonderful moments.
I'd also like to mention the O'Siyam Pavilion, which opened on Canada Day and where the celebration took place. A hallmark of Canada Day is diversity, and we saw diversity celebrated through architecture, community involvement, our First Nations' active participation, and even the dancing of Squamish Nation Councillor Dale Harry!
Canada Day is a time for celebration. The event in Squamish this year reflected in itself all the reasons we as Canadians have to celebrate, and it reflected all the reasons we can be proud to be Canadian.
John Weston
MP, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country
West Vancouver
