With the long sunsets of summer, they love the outdoors.

But this summer, for the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, those lazy, hazy days turned out to be truly hazy from several hundred wildfires out of control. Throughout the wildfire regions 248 homes were eventually destroyed.

One couple that lost their home viewed a home video of their devastated property. They observed that while their home was destroyed the trees alongside were not. What man constructed burned; what God made survived! The news reported that traditionally wet Vancouver has had the hottest summer in 52 years with water reservoir levels down to 41 percent of capacity.

And it wasn't just these devastating fires that spoiled those lazy, hazy days for many. The Ottawa Citizen, published in Calgary, Alberta, reported Aug. 30: "After a summer of grasshoppers, scorching hot weather and mad-cow disease, Canadian farmers were stung by yet another piece of bad news yesterday: The threat of permanent and hefty tariffs on wheat sales to the U.S." And earlier in the summer one lone cow suspected of mad-cow disease halted live beef exports to the United States.

In Canada's east, things haven't been any better. Canada's largest city, Toronto, still feels the affect of negative publicity about the SARS virus outbreak, which led to a marked decline in tourism. Travelers are fearful of visiting other places in Canada because of SARS in Toronto.

Adding to such fear is another virus–West Nile, spread by mosquitoes. Although mostly found in birds, it has been found to infect and kill humans, and this has sparked increased advertisements for insect repellant. Well-intentioned health workers warn us to avoid creeks, lakes and mosquitoes. But it is hard to avoid a mosquito!

Then the hazy days of summer in Toronto became a pitch-black power outage. And in the nation's capital, Ottawa, lights went out, too. Yet across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the lights were ablaze as usual. They were on a different power grid. The New York power-outage prompted accusations of Canada being at fault while on the northern side of the border it was seen as an American problem.

Whatever the cause, the power outage was a serious reminder of how reliant we are on electricity and interdependent power grids across the border. As the Ontario premier said, how can a transmission failure in Ohio shut down Toronto?

This summer also brought a major social issue to the fore—the same-sex marriage controversy. Outgoing Prime Minister Jean Chretien intends to push through legislation allowing such marriages "to protect a minority," as he views it. Evangelical churches are banning together for rallies and prayers in an attempt to persuade members of parliament to oppose the proposed legislation.

When you put all this together, it has been a troubled summer in Canada. We long for predictable, peaceful, lazy days in summer. Are they gone? Why so much turmoil in a country traditionally quiet and peaceful?

It might have much to do with origins. Until 1964 Canada's flag was still the Union Jack. This strong English heritage continues with Canada as a member of the British Commonwealth.

Is there a clue to Canada's destiny in those origins and associations? Can we know what lies ahead in Canada's future? Our booklet The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy describes the origins of the United States and the countries of the British Commonwealth and gives insight into their future. It's enlightening reading and information you need to know to understand the world around you.