We think the message has been made loud and clear: If you want to take in the annual display of Canada Day fireworks in Victoria’s Inner Harbour you better plan on being sober.
Over the past few years, the patriotic party has carried the unwanted baggage of being seen as an excuse by some for public drunkenness. It’s the kind of behaviour that can become enshrined in an annual event if left unchecked. Canada Day is about celebrating a lot of things, including the exceptional level of freedom we enjoy. However, we think the City of Victoria and local police departments are right in reminding people that, despite what some might think, the usual laws still apply.
Victoria is a fun place to go out for a night and there are areas of downtown where police should take a progressive approach to partyers whose revelry spills out into the street.
But the boozy behaviour of past Canada Days has too often created an edgy atmosphere unsuitable for families. The Inner Harbour is a public space that belongs to everyone and July 1 is a special day for all Canadians.
We support the efforts to ensure the few don’t ruin a good time for the many.
Good enough, but getting better
There’s a philosophy based on being “good enough.” The simple explanation is you find a way to make something work and allow it to evolve over time rather than grasp for unreachable perfection from the start.
In many ways our own country has followed this approach, especially when compared to the grandiose planning and pomp that led to the founding of our neighbours to the south.
The “good enough” concept was originally used to describe the success of technology companies like Google but is now popular as a general approach to life. For some people, stressed out by the rat race, the philosophy allows them a personal way to find their footing. It’s worked well for Canada, with our current attempts at Senate reform and the ongoing tinkering with our constitution (Quebec, are you finally onboard?).
And that’s good enough for us.