Canada Day on July 1st brings an opportunity for reflection, evaluation, and self-assessment: Who are we? Who do we want to be? What do we want? How do we influence and are influenced? Are we satisfied to remain mere numbers or tools used without creativity or impact? Are we truly part of this identity, or just intruders adding to the count? It is a day that is not just about celebration and joy, but a day when each of us stands before the mirror of belonging to honestly ask ourselves: What does Canada mean to me? What does it mean to be Canadian in a world overflowing with changes and challenges?

I know there are political, social, and economic hardships, and there is a real fear of crime spreading and an imbalance in addressing challenges. Some may sometimes feel a double standard or face racism and hatred in varying forms. Yes, these phenomena exist in all societies, but more important than describing them is to ask ourselves: Why does this happen if it does? Why do we settle for being victims who complain and lament instead of seeking our strengths and successes? Why do we not strive to be present, dignified, confident, and unshaken? Why do we preconceive notions of exclusion and rejection before we engage in the life around us with its challenges and opportunities? And why do we accept conflicting and scattered references that do not foster the spirit of initiative or collective awareness?

Despite what we have faced – and continue to face – in terms of positions regarding our core issues in our home countries, foremost among them the central issue of Arabs and Muslims: the Palestine issue, which do not always live up to our hopes and fair aspirations, and despite ongoing economic and health crises and increasing social tensions due to a diminished sense of security compared to before due to the encroachment of crime and criminals, Canada has always been able to withstand because it has not lost its moral compass. It has remained true to its founding values: fairness, respect, freedom, and solidarity. Yes, we do not hide that we live in a time where there is legitimate concern about the cohesion of the social fabric and the difficulties of daily life for many, but conversely, there remains a belief that together we can mitigate the burdens of crises and rebuild stronger than any despair.

Canada is not just lines drawn on a vast map, nor is it only an advanced economy or a stable democratic system. Canada is an idea… the idea that diversity does not threaten the unity of societies but enriches it. The idea that human dignity is above all else, and that justice and equality are not luxuries but inherent rights. Here, those coming from afar can start their lives anew without feeling that they are intruders or surplus to requirements. Here, every child born feels that they have a guaranteed place at the community table, regardless of their color, language, or religion.

On Canada Day, we do not just celebrate decades of history, but we renew our commitment that this country deserves our dedication, energy, and dreams. To belong to it means to take responsibility for maintaining its open and civilized spirit, to protect its freedoms and uphold its values, and to teach our children that citizenship is not just a passport, but a deep commitment to participation and contribution. To belong means to renew within ourselves a spirit of genuine belonging, pride in its unifying identity, and readiness for active participation in building it and contributing sincerely to its progress.

One of the key messages we must pause to consider today is the importance of belonging and cohesion; every one of us is part of this land and these values. Every attempt to diminish the significance of belonging or to question it is a step toward the spiritual and social void that is unworthy of us and our future generations. We are here to belong… to make a difference… and to leave an impact.

The second message is to stop the idea of isolation. The Canadian experience has taught us that isolation protects no one; it weakens national unity and builds imaginary walls between the citizens of the same country. There is no future for any community if some of its members believe that closure is the path to safety. The strength lies in openness and communication, in extending a hand to those who differ from us, and this does not mean melting away or relinquishing our uniqueness or accepting what contradicts our culture and beliefs, but means living with confidence and openness and mutual respect, without retreating into narrow circles we fear to exit.

The third message, which has become more urgent than ever, is the necessity of unity in the face of crime. Crime does not differentiate between one neighborhood and another nor between one community and another. Combating it does not fall solely on the police, but is a collective moral responsibility that begins with education and awareness, through community solidarity, to supporting victims and rejecting justification and leniency towards anything that threatens people's safety.

The fourth message is the belief that the national security of this country is a top priority that must be deeply believed in, and it is a common interest for all. It is not the sole responsibility of the state to protect society from dangers, but a responsibility we all share: individuals, associations, and institutions. Each one in their role, vigilance, awareness, and cooperation. If each of us does not feel that the security of this homeland is our personal security, we will not be able to preserve what we have built with effort, sweat, and tears.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that each one of us can be the address of their identity, culture, and beliefs, while at the same time feeling a true belonging to a community that embraces them, empowers them, and allows them the space to hold onto their origins while being open to the future. These values open the way for all of us to believe in the power of words and participation, and to insist on elevating the spirit of hope and driving forward the affirmation that Canada is for everyone: its dignity is part of our collective dignity, its strength is the strength of all, its stability is the stability of everyone, its safety is the safety of all, and the strength of its economy is the welfare of everyone.

Every year, may Canada be in great health… every year we become more aware of the meaning of belonging, more committed to the values of cohesion and communication, and more determined to stand united against challenges and crime. Every year, may we all be guardians of this great Canadian dream that has become a homeland for us all.