Happy Canada Day!!!

Tomorrow, July 1, is Canada Day, the day we celebrate our country’s birthday. What began as a colony of France in the sixteenth century became a British colony in the eighteenth century after a decisive battle in 1759 on the Plains of Abraham just outside of Quebec City. A few years later, in 1775, the Continental Army attempted to lay siege to Quebec, but the efforts failed. We didn’t want to be part of the US then, and we still don’t. Those Americans who felt the same way immigrated to “Upper Canada” the part of the country which today is essentially the province of Ontario. Upper Canada was established by the Constitutional Act of 1791, which divided the Province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada. Upper Canada was primarily settled by Loyalists, land-hungry farmers, and American frontiersmen, and it had a predominantly English-speaking population with British traditions.

During the War of 1812, the Americans again attempted to invade Canada, but the colonists and Indiginous people assisted the British army in repelling the invaders. Once more, we did not want to be part of the United States. Upper Canada became the Province of Ontario on July 1, 1867 as part of the Confederation of Canada. This act united Upper Canada (now Ontario), Lower Canada (now Quebec), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into the Dominion of Canada, giving us freedom over our governance, but still keeping us part of the British Empire since our constitution was still in Britain and laws etc. had to be ratified by the British parliament.

The repatriation of the Canadian Constitution, also known as patriation, marked the end of Bristish control over the Constitution of Canada. This process was completed in 1982 with the passage of the Constitution Act, 1982, which included the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and an amending formula, allowing Canada to amend its own constitution without needing approval from the British Parliament. That was it. Canada became a sovereign country without any kerfuffle, and believe me we want to stay that way–Canada strong and free!

Before 1965, Canada’s flag was the Canadian Red Ensign, which featured the Union Jack in the canton (upper left corner) and the Canadian coat of arms in the fly (right side). Some places also flew the Union Jack as a symbol of our ties to Britain, but since 1965, we’ve proudly flown the Red Maple Leaf.

As a Canadian, I’m very proud of my country. We may seem quiet and reserved, polite to a fault, but don’t underestimate us. We are stong and faithful allies, friends to those in need as we’ve proven many times, and our natioanl pride is as strong as that of any other nation.

As a writer, I have set several of my books in Canada and intend to do so again in the future. To that point, two books coming out in September are both set in Canada–From Paris with Love, a rom -com, and And Justice for All, a romance-suspense. Here are my other Canadian titles. Romantic suspense includes Fire Angel, Book Two (Vengeance Is Mine) and No Good Deed, Book Four (Vengeance Is Mine). Cozy mystery is A Case of Mistaken Identity (An Evie Chambers Mystery). Mild paranormal includes Echoes of the Past(With Native American elements), and Hello Again (With Native American elements). Historival Romances are The Price of Honor, Canadiana Series, Book One, and The Price of Courage, Canadiana Series, Book Two. Romance books include The Blue Dragon, Same Time Next Year, Trouble with Eden, and Finding Melinda. For Romantic Comedy, I have The Tipsy Pig, Emerald Glow, and Sea Breeze. Finally, my winter romance books are Come Home for Christmas and Forever in my Heart.

So, to celebrate this Canada Day and learn a little more about parts of the country I call home, why not grab a copy or two? All books are available in e-Book, paperback, and on Amazon Kindle.

Happy Birthday, Canada!