Centennial ad, “World… this is Canada” (1966)

World… this is Canada

Ours is a land radiant with promise, bountiful and big… covering nearly four million square miles!

And across its length and breadth we will soon be celebrating the Centennial of Canada’s Confederation.

On July 1, 1867, our forefathers joined hands. From different lands – mainly France and the British Isles – speaking different languages, they came together with a common purpose. And around a conference table, 100 years ago, a new nation was born.

Now we stand on the threshold of our second century. A glowing future lies ahead.

We’re 20 millions… from many races and many places… and steadily growing. The rich, natural resources of a beautiful country are part of our heritage – and we have the vitality and “know-how” to harness them. As a member of the Commonwealth and of the United Nations we have also learned the wisdom of sharing with other peoples.

We are fast taking our place as one of the great industrial and trading nations of the world.

Almost half of the world’s pulp and paper… possibly this very piece… originates in Canada. Our major exports include wheat, iron ore, oil, uranium, nickel, asbestos – along with many other products of our rich and fertile fields.

Our artists, scientists and technicians have gained global recognition, Canada’s own scientific satellite, Alouette I (ours was the third nation to have a satellite in orbit) reports daily on the earth’s ionosphere.

And around the world the aircraft of many nations rely on Canadian electronic guidance systems.

Skyscraper cities now dot the land. Networks of railways, highways, airlines and waterways link us from Atlantic too Pacific.

And everywhere, throughout 1967, we’ll join together to celebrate our nations’s 100th Birthday. The Centennial festivities will be 4,000 miles wide… and a year long.

At Montreal, starting April 28, we’ll celebrate for six months at the INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION – EXPO 67 – the magnificent and imaginative WORLD’S FAIR, where the pavilions of 70 nations are rising on a 1,000 acre island site, to depict what man is doing with his world.

We’ll celebrate across our seven time-zones… from coast to coast.

Now that our first hundred years as a nation are all over but the shouting – and we are in good voice – we would love to have you join in.