(Brant) June 5, 2009 – Brant MP Phil McColeman has officially launched the Proud to be Canadian campaign to kick off celebrations culminating with Canada Day.  Brant will be one of 31 ridings across the country taking part in the challenge.

“I believe our riding of Brant is the greatest part of the greatest country to live, work and do business in.  And we’re going to let everyone know it,” said McColeman.

The objective of the campaign is to have as many households as possible display the Canadian Flag during the weeks leading up to Canada Day. To facilitate this, all households in the riding will receive a kit in the mail containing a flag, a reply card and a detailed explanation of the campaign.  Constituents are asked to place the flag on their door or in a window that is visible to pedestrians. Households that wish to be counted as participants must fill out the reply card indicating their participation and mail it back to McColeman’s office. No postage is required.

“My hope is that this campaign will get people excited about Canada Day and give my constituents a means to voice their pride in this great country,” said McColeman.  “I’m optimistic that by Canada Day, nearly every household in this riding will have a flag on display.”
At last count 31 ridings across the country are taking part. 

Ridings participating in the campaign are being entered into a contest for the title of “Most Patriotic Riding in Canada.” The riding with the highest percentage of residences displaying a flag on Canada Day will be declared the winner and will be announced to the House of Commons when Parliament resumes in the fall. The level of participation in each riding will be measured using the reply cards that are returned.

Therefore, it is critical that the houses that do participate ensure they send back their reply card.