Text of Dominion Day Statement of the Prime Minister

THIS day, the 100th anniversary of the beginning of our Confederation; this day, our Centennial Birthday, belongs to every Canadian.

Those of us whose privilege it is to represent in public office the people of this country will play our formal roles in the pageants of this historic day.

But the history and the heritage we celebrate are the possession of all Canadians, whatever our origin, whatever our occupation, wherever we live and work.

Every one of you, and every Canadian before you, has had some part, however humble and unsung, in building this magnificent national structure of Confederation that we honor and salute today.

As the world, to survive the nuclear future, must become a community of peace for all mankind, so must our country be a true homeland for all Canadians as it moves into its second century.

The Fathers of Confederation, and those who followed them, have built a strong foundation for this Canadian home.

As we begin our second hundred years, we must continue the work of furnishing it so that it will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of all our people for a good life.

This is a memorable day for Canada.

Ours is a good land. Our Centennial resolve must be to make it better for our children and our children's children.

God bless our country.

- End of article. Copyright by The Ottawa Journal, July 3, 1967.  All rights reserved.