The Netherlands likes Canada. We like them too.

A Royal Visit of another kind is taking place in Canada right now.  When most Canadians think of a Royal Visit, they think of HM The Queen or other members of the British Monarchy coming over to spend a few days in our anachronistic Dominion.  Whenever I drive through downtown Ottawa and see the flags of other countries affixed to light posts honouring the visit of a foreign leader, I often mentally dismiss it as a waste of money.  Does a visiting member of foreign royalty, Prime Minister, or President really care if his/her national flag is flying upon arrival here?  I really doubt it.  I also feel uncomfortable whenever I see the flag of a country with a bad human rights record flying in our capital while our government only seems to care about reaching trade agreements with those countries that further diminish the human rights in those countries and the working conditions and wages in our own.  I recall seeing the Vietnamese flag flying along Ottawa streets once and I felt as though our country was being governed by Jane Fonda.

However, we are in the midst of a Royal Visit here that I can feel good about.  King Willem and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands are here for four days.  I like The Netherlands.  Aside from Britain and the United States, it is among the countries that have contributed so much to the identity, economy, and culture of Canada.  Our country has also contributed to the stability and endurance of The Netherlands too.  During World War Two, the Dutch royal family took refuge in Ottawa while the Nazis occupied their country.  Princess Margriet was even born here in the Ottawa Civic Hospital.  The Canadian government temporarily ceded the room to The Netherlands so the princess could be born on Dutch territory and maintain the royal lineage.  It was Canadian soldiers who led the liberation of The Netherlands from the Nazis near the end of the war, an event that recently celebrated its 70^th anniversary.  The Dutch take these events extremely seriously and continue to show a wonderful amount of gratitude, even among the younger generation.  It is because of The Netherlands that Ottawa is famed for its tulips and associated Tulip Festival in spring.  The Dutch have been donating the bulbs since the end of the war.

Beginning in the 1950’s, Canada became an extremely popular destination for Dutch immigrants.  We are exceptionally better off for it too.  These people have contributed to Canadian life in a remarkable way.  They are part of every profession and trade.  They own businesses ranging from the very small to big corporations.  They serve on our municipal councils, in our legislatures, and in parliament.  They brought beliefs and values to Canada that already reflected ours.  Personally, I know an incredibly long list of Canadians of Dutch heritage.  Some are first generation Canadians while others are grandchildren of those who arrived here over 50 years ago.  I’ve always appreciated their honest, open approach to conversation, work, and good humour.  The Netherlands in the present day has also given North Americans examples to reflect upon regarding various social policies and the advantages or disadvantages of them.  Europeans understand the basic fact that debate, discussion, and experimentation is good.  The contribution of Dutch people to Canada, along with these traits of innovation are components of enrichment for our country.