It's Canada Day. Today -- July 1st -- thirty-two million Canadians gather to rejoice and respect each other nationwide in a celebration of all things maple leaf. Although slightly more low-key than the Fourth of July celebrations held by our American cousins, Canada Day is a crucial holiday because it allows Canadians for one day to stop asking each other what it means to live here and simply appreciate everything we have.

Boo ya, a global reminder...10 reasons why everyone worldwide should be celebratin' Canada Day today:

10) Security and Prosperity Partnership. A trilateral working group undertaking subtle initiatives seeking to streamline government processes and business systems that link Canada, Mexico and the United States. Other than SuicideGirls.com, our best chance at establishing one continent of progressive peoples. Viva la raza, eh?

9) Basketball. Every time you witness an earth-rattling dunk or spy Jack Torrance sitting courtside, remember, you may love this game, but Canadian doctor James Naismith made this shit up.

8) Tim Hortons. You can keep your cupcakes, frappuccino and baklava. The Double Double and crueller have been bringing together crooks, cops, CEOs and ordinary working folk for decades.

7) Kensington Market. Look what Jah Jah gave us. 80 miles from the US border at Niagara Falls lies an unconventional outdoor street market in the heart of Canada's largest city where poets, punk, Rastafari, shoppers and the orthodox and unorthodox alike gather to peacefully discuss...peace and stuff. Not to overlook that hotness abounds here, the Market is surreal, sketchy and infinitely satisfying at once. A model for outdoor neighborhood markets and city living everywhere. Worth the cost of travel here alone.

6) The Oilsands. Okay, America has a love affair with the automobile but an obvious love-hate relationship with the mechanisms of conflict that some aspects of the auto industry are occasionally blamed for creating. Outside of Saudi Arabia, Canada has the second largest oil reserves on the planet and continues to be the single most stable country for secure energy supplies. Plans by the government here to spend more money on technology, innovation and exploration will translate to more peace, more green and less wars.

5) The Facebook Takeover. Seems Facebook, the social networking website that may or may not be deeply connected to CIA and US Department of Defense insiders, has more users in Toronto than LA, San Francisco and New York combined. Whatev, how else are you going to get details about the next Cherry Beach rave or find out which Canadians support Hillary Clinton in '08?

4) Harm Reduction. A progressive but not-entirely homegrown concept that seeks to find solutions to reducing drug abuse and associated criminal activity through education rather than incarceration.

3) Montréal. You like to party. We like to party. Welcome to the City of Mary. What happens in Vegas...started in Montréal. Tabernac!

2) The Trans-Canada Highway. The story of Canada is revealed when traveling across the country on the primary highway linking the nation. Whether the excitement of coasting into Vancouver from Hope, the reflection inspired by a prairie sunset or the hard work associated with a Newfoundland fishing expedition, time spent along the Trans-Canada is hardly time at all.

1) You. You need to be here. We buy the beer. No fighting. Happy Canada Day.