Though 2014 has barely begun, the Government of Canada is asking Canadians to look ahead to a grand celebration in 2017: the 150th anniversary of Confederation. And why not? We are blessed to live in one of the best places in the world! We have more reasons to celebrate than time to do so.

Canadian Heritage Minister Shelly Glover calls Canada’s 150th birthday, “an extraordinary milestone to honour and an opportunity for Canadians from coast to coast to coast to reflect on and celebrate our history, heritage, values and future.”

However, a celebration worthy of a nation’s 150th anniversary requires considerable thought. Since the occasion belongs to all Canadians, the Government of Canada is asking us all for thoughts and opinions on the best way to mark this amazing birthday.

If you want to contribute to this national dialogue online, visit www.canada.gc.ca/150, where you may complete a five-minute questionnaire that includes the following questions:

• Which of Canada’s accomplishments over the last 150 years makes you most proud to be Canadian?
• Which Canadians have inspired you most over the past 150 years?
• Do you think our 150th anniversary should have a theme and what should it be?
• How would you like to celebrate this anniversary?
• How would you like your community to celebrate?
• In honour of the 150th anniversary, what could you or your community do for future generations?

Along with the questionnaire, www.canada.gc.ca/150 provides links to fascinating facts and dates surrounding our national history – events and trivia it wouldn’t hurt most of us to review, even if we once learned them. For instance:

• Do you remember the significance and reasons for our national symbols and colours?
• Did you know that although the maple leaf is closely associated with Canada, the maple tree was only officially recognized as Canada’s arboreal emblem on April 25, 1996?
• A little known fact about our national anthem: “O Canada” was officially proclaimed Canada’s national anthem as recently as July 1, 1980 – 100 years after it was first sung on June 24, 1880.
• Have you remembered from grade school history that Queen Elizabeth II was the first monarch to specifically be proclaimed Queen of Canada and the first to bear this title?
• Do you know who designated Canada’s official colours to be red and white, and when? (On November 21, 1921, King George V designated Canada’s colours by the proclamation of the Royal Arms of Canada.)
• Though most Canadians realize that Canada has two national sports – ice hockey in winter, and lacrosse in summer, not everyone knows how recently they were made official: 1994.

Let the government know your thoughts at: www.canada.gc.ca/150. If you don’t have access to a computer, send your thoughts by mail to my office. In a world of bad news, anticipating our 150th birthday is a good reminder that we Canadians still have numerous blessings to celebrate.

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The audio version of Garry's January 27, 2014 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here