The past few weeks have been filled with flag waving. First, flags from around the world could be spotted flying from passing motorists as fans of the Euro 2008 soccer (football) championships cheered on their favourite teams. And this week the red and white maple leaf was proudly on display in celebration of the 141st birthday of our great country, Canada.

Canada Day is the one day each year when all Canadians wear their national pride on their sleeve and celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in the greatest country on earth. This enthusiasm and spirit was everywhere as Almut and I travelled from the pancake breakfast at Dundas Driving Park to the Lynden and Troy Canada Day parades and everywhere in between.

There's good reason why Canada is the envy of the world. Canadian imagination and ingenuity have given the world the telephone, the blackberry, the Canadarm and the pacemaker...just to name a few great Canadian inventions. We are truly blessed to live in peace and prosperity. This we owe to our veterans who served so selflessly to preserve the freedoms we all cherish.

Speaking of birthday parties, if you haven't already made holidays plans, I hope you will consider a trip this summer to join in the 400th anniversary celebrations of the founding of Quebec City. There is so much to see and enjoy in Quebec and as Canadians, this summer is the perfect time to visit such a beautifully diverse culture.

I had the pleasure recently to learn more of this culture and our country's rich military legacy thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. On behalf of the Hon. Josee Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, I presented the Canadian International Military Tattoo - a Hamilton tradition - with $15,000 for its 2008 celebration that took place at Copps Coliseum on June 14 and 15.

The organizers chose "Je Me Souviens" ("I remember") as the theme of this year's event, in honour of the military traditions of French Canada and the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City. The show paid special tribute to the Royal 22nd Regiment, having recently returned from active service in Afghanistan. The Tattoo plays an important role in representing the culture and military tradition of Canada through music, song, and drills.

I also want to congratulate the organizers of the recent Sound the Alarms fundraising event in support of the program launched by the family of Melissa Den Hollander to raise awareness of fire safety. Money collected through this program will help ensure that equipment - smoke detectors and fire extinguishers - gets to those who need it most.

Please have a safe and enjoyable summer and I look forward to seeing you in my travels around the area.