On the eve of Canada Day, it's worth pausing to list what we have to celebrate living in the lucky land of the Maple Leaf.
While there are economic storm clouds gathering to the south and across the oceans, there's only a mild sun shower in our long-range forecast.
We have the luxury of an economy which can catch what NDP leader Tom Mulcair derides as Dutch Disease. By definition that means one region of the country is extremely, if not excessively, robust. Consider the many countries where every sector is suffering.
We have a government being criticized for cramming too much major business through too quickly. Contrast that to a Washington suffering complete pre-election political paralysis.
We should celebrate having zero dollars invested in the ailing F35 fighter jet. The Americans, who are swallowing the tab for its soaring development costs, wish they could be so lucky.
National unity remains strong and Quebec separatist sentiment at an all-time low. Thankfully there is no talk of constitutional wrangling in the future.
We live in a country where a cabinet minister spending $16 on orange juice and double-booking five-star hotel rooms is considered a career-ending scandal.
And only in this country can banging pots and pans be considered an uprising and low tuition be enough to trigger a 100-day student revolt.
Yes, clearly we have a lot to celebrate living here this Canada Day.
And, as we put Power Play on pause for the summer, I'm celebrating the show's three top-notch producers -- Alyson Fair, Katie Damman and Kiran Rhines -- and the pros here and in Toronto who get us on the air.
Thanks for having watched us and we hope you'll tune back in September.
