Canada - Facts and Info

[RACooper]

Originally posted by NeonPi
I agree that it is commendable when people from other countries volunteer to serve for another country (ie. Americans who volunteered for the British Royal Air Force before the US entered WWII). I have a friend that enlisted with the US Army to serve in Iraq, and I support his choice.

Rudey, I wasn't meaning to be insulting. It is just that some of your postings/reactions to posts seem so angry, it is hard to get to the points you do raise - that's all. (I think we all can empathsize when it is obvious that someone has responded but hasn't read your post completely - it's happened to me a few times on GC myself.)

...and now back to the regularly scheduled programme...er, thread

See while people may personally commend the actions of these indivuals who serve in other militaries... it is the issue of government recognition.

For example would you say that a citizen who fought in for another country, in a conflict that the Canadian government or military didn't offical participate in, be eligible for the same benifits as veterans who did? If you want to attach qualifiers to this, then you run into more ethical or political problems.. such as which conflict do you recognize? which countries do you recognize as acceptable? do you reduce all veterans benifits to compensate for the increased demand? do you grant benifits to foreign veterans who have then immigrated to Canada? do you give the same recognition to these foreign veterans as Canadians who volunteered for their country? do you then have to recognize foreign veterans who served with hostile countries?

It's a complex issue and one that I see debated almost annually at the Legion, and one with a lot of invested emotions and ethics attached.

Keep in mind though that change does happen sometimes, as in the case of the Merchant Marine - they now have some recognition and many benifits - but not all. Arguements in that cse revolved around the designation of the Merchant Marine as non-military or non-combatant personnel... many veterans who did serve felt it wrong to recognize them on the same level of those who volunteered to fight...

[NeonPi]

Originally posted by RACooper
See while people may personally commend the actions of these indivuals who serve in other militaries... it is the issue of government recognition.

...

It's a complex issue and one that I see debated almost annually at the Legion, and one with a lot of invested emotions and ethics attached.

Exactly - very tricky indeed - my friend was conflicted about this, but decided to go ... I am just supportive of him making a decision one way or the other.

[RACooper]

Well it's the same for me; I know people who felt strongly enough about Iraq or the War on Terror that they joined the Marines... wereas I know Marines that considered leave the forces over the issue.

It's a touchy issue at the Legion, just as it's a touchy issue a my mutal-support group for PTSD - 80% of the group are Vietnam vets, so some perpective is at least given from many sides of the issue.

[NeonPi]

http://www.toronto.com/feature/491

What is Simcoe Day?

Simcoe Day is in honour of the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe

(from the article)

"John Graves Simcoe was more than just a colonial governor -- he abolished slavery, created Yonge Street, and even inspired the agricultural fair tradition that would give rise to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair....

In 1869 Toronto City Council came up with the idea for a summer "day of recreation." In 1875, it was settled: the first Monday in August would be the official Civic Holiday.

That name stuck as other cities followed Toronto's leisure-loving example and proclaimed this a municipal (rather than provincial) holiday. But in 1968 Toronto City Council again took the lead and renamed the day to recognize one of Ontario's earliest historical figures. "

The Province of Ontario officially named it Simcoe Day in 1999.

Simcoe has an interesting story - the article has more details.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Yay for Simcoe Day (and it's not just because I have the day off )

I've traveled the entire length of Yonge Street. From #1 Yonge St. right at the lake all the way to Rainy River, Ontario.

[NeonPi]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
I've traveled the entire length of Yonge Street. From #1 Yonge St. right at the lake all the way to Rainy River, Ontario.

Cool!

[bcdphie]

Originally posted by NeonPi
Happy Simcoe Day tomorrow, for those in Ontario - or whatever your August Civic Holiday is called in your province (AB = Western Heritage Day)

BC is really creative with its name for the civic holiday - today is... BC Day .

I spent most of this long weekend hanging out at the lakes up at Whistler. It was 35 degrees plus up there this weekend (but had nothing on last weekend when it almost hit 40). I am back in town today (came down for a BC Day party last night), so I am just going to putter around town today, maybe do some touristy things.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by bcdphie
BC is really creative with its name for the civic holiday - today is... BC Day .

Hey calling it Simcoe Day is pretty much calling it Ontario Day... maybe BC should name it after an important historical figure from BC (sorry can't think of one )

[NeonPi]

Originally posted by RACooper
Hey calling it Simcoe Day is pretty much calling it Ontario Day... maybe BC should name it after an important historical figure from BC (sorry can't think of one )

That would Captain Vancouver, but I think the BC Interior and Victoria folks would be pissed at a holiday called 'Vancouver Day'

[Lady Pi Phi]

Bump.


How long is question period in Parliment?