We live in such a great country. I was reminded how great it is this week in watching the heartrending funeral for a Canadian hero.

It was a hat, a Glengarry Bonnet, just like his father’s, that five-year-old Marcus was wearing; a gift from Corporal Nathan Cirillo’s regiment. The checkered red and white of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

A young boy marching through the streets of Hamilton with the eyes of the nation cast upon him sharing his grief.

A nation that showed what it is made of in its tributes to a fallen soldier.

The Prime Minster said our hearts are broken but our spirits are grateful for his memory. He is right.

Very few of us knew Corporal Cirillo but as a country we embraced him as a family member. We close ranks in a very Canadian way.

We will continue to honour our fallen such as Corporal Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent with the reverence and respect they are due.

We honour their sacrifice.

Remembrance Day this year will take on a particular significance because of the tragic events that took the lives of two good men, not in a far off land but at home, events which indeed serve to remind us that freedom is never free.

How many anglo blue collars workers does it take to change a lightbulb? None, there aren’t any.

In the grand scheme of things, English-speaking Quebecers are only casual observers in the governance of this province.

Yes, we are told time and time again that we matter and in my view there are many francophones of goodwill, perhaps a majority, who believe it.

When we work together, we can accomplish so much dans les deux langues.

On the other hand look at our anemic representation in government, in the civil service, in the security forces. Just about anywhere.

As a result we guard what we have jealously: our hospitals, our schools and our cultural institutions and so on.

So when a supposedly anglo-friendly government tells us its health reform plans are good for us, we are right to be both skeptical and fearful.

Bill 10 would merge 128 health boards into just 28 mega boards.

That means every English health board, except for the MUHC, would be merged with francophone boards with the membership of these new boards determined by the health minister.

The changes are a threat in no uncertain terms.

The system needs reorganization but we shouldn’t be the ones to pay such a high price because so many Anglos, particularly English-speaking seniors are so vulnerable.

The health minister says don’t worry, Anglo rights will be protected and Anglos will have a seat at the table, but health ministers and governments come and go, and we have seen what happens when we have ones who are less that charitable to our community.

Remember the Reddy Memorial. Remember the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

I don’t think this legislation is a good idea. We need our boards, and we need them operating in English.

We should let our Liberal representatives know that we have real concerns.

As a community, we have had our share of challenges and lived the politics of exclusion and division for far too long.

We should always pick our battles carefully and this battle is as good a place as any to take a stand.