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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Canadians wish country happy birthday
All over town, expressions of love
J.P. Thole, with children Alexandra and Gabriel, likes Canada's "awesome people." (JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Anne and Heinz Oestreich and grandkids. (COLE BREILAND / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Donna Cosgrove: freedom (COLE BREILAND / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Diane Hyra-Kuzenko and her son, Jared Kimacovicah, celebrate the nation�s birthday at Assiniboine Park. Hyra-Kuzenko appreciates Canadians� generosity and the opportunities available here. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Sonya Cook and Brenna Guimond like Canada\s freedom and job opportunities. (COLE BREILAND / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Craig Kielburger, co-founder of Free The Children, at Assiniboine Park. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
On a white-hot day when the temperature hit 30 C, Winnipeggers were happy to elaborate on why Canada is the coolest of countries.
Tens of thousands of people in Winnipeg celebrated Canada Day on Sunday with red-and-white fashion statements, outdoor music, recreational food and beverages, a massive "living flag" and fireworks that ended the day with sparkle. The largest public events took place at four main venues -- the Forks, Assiniboine Park, the legislature grounds and Osborne Village.
The Free Press joined the party and asked an array of celebrants to answer one question: "What's so cool about Canada?"
"What's the coolest thing?" Stan Cockrane repeated with enthusiasm. "Slurpees!" he exclaimed, while wearing a band across his forehead that bore the words "untamed spirit."
Diane Hyra-Kuzenko was celebrating with son Jared Kimacovicah. The pair were decked out head to toe in red and white, complete with matching Maple Leaf bandanas. Hyra-Kuzenko said the coolest thing about being Canadian is "the fact that we do a lot of humanitarian work. We're very generous to other people in areas of disasters, and there's a great opportunity here for everybody."
J.P. Thole pushed his kids, Alexandra and Gabriel, in a wagon decorated grandly with Canadian balloons. The family immigrated from South America. "The best thing about living in Canada is the awesome people, the safety, the security, but not the poutine," J.P. joked.
Free the Children founder Craig Kielburger was spotted taking in the Canada Day celebrations at Assiniboine Park. The Thornhill, Ont., native says it's easy to appreciate Canada when travelling abroad. "Honestly, you notice the politeness and a humility that isn't everywhere. It's very specific to Canada, and it's such a cool, important thing."
On the legislature lawn, Donna Cosgrove had antennae in the shape of Canadian flags and explained that to her, the best thing about living in Canada was freedom of speech and expression. "Being independent, eh," she said.
Anne and Heinz Oestreich sat on a picnic blanket under a tree with their three grandchildren, Massimo, Leyna, and Olivia, and the children answered why Canada is cool to them. "You get to have a home," said Olivia. "A mom and a dad," said Leyna. "I love the Winnipeg Jets!" said Massimo.
For Sonya Cook, the answer was simple. "Freedom," she said.
Brenna Guimond, who was celebrating with Cook, said she is thankful for the chance to work in Canada. "There's lots of work, lots of opportun- ities," she said.
Frances Pazdor explained that her age proves Canada must be a great place to spend a life.
"The fact that I'm 86 years old and still going -- and going strong -- makes it a great place to be, and that's good enough," she said.
"When you travel, you see what we have compared to other countries," said her daughter, Janet Forbes. "We have so many gifts here -- food to eat, clothes to wear, places to live. We come and go as we please."
"For me, I love the sports scene in Canada. I coach kids football, a lot of immigrants. Usually they are familiar with soccer and not football," said Wes Mueller, celebrating the day at Assiniboine Park.
"For me, it's the diversity, the mutual respect. I like that we're a multicultural nation," said his wife, Lisa Mueller.
katherine.dow@freepress.mb.ca kristy.hoffman@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 2, 2012 A4
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