It is now 2018, and Canada still doesn't have a national bird. For Canada's 150th anniversary, Canada was supposed to get a national bird approved and "crowned" by the government. Unfortunately, the government isn't interested in nominating a bird as Canada's national symbol. 

  Starting in 2015, Canadians could vote for the bird species they wanted as the national bird for the National Bird Project. Experts debated what bird out of the top five should be nominated, and The Royal Canadian Geographical Society made it's official recommendation. The Canada Jay (formerly known as the Grey Jay) was chosen because it lives mostly in Canada, in all 13 provinces and territories, stays there year round, and is not already a provincial or territorial bird. This boreal forest dwelling bird is also friendly, loyal, tough and smart — qualities that Canadians like to embody. It will even eat out of people's hands. 

  The Environment Minister, Catherine McKenna and Heritage Minister, Melanie Joly were aware of the campaign, however, the Heritage Minister replied stating "At this time we are not considering any new national symbols." Another statement said "At this time, the government of Canada is not actively considering proposals to adopt a bird as a national symbol." This makes it seem like the government doesn't realize the importance of birds and their significance to the country. "Our national symbols reflect the history, people, environment, and traditions of Canada, its provinces and territories, as well as the Crown in Canada." It appears that the government doesn't believe that a bird can be a national symbol, but this isn't true because:

1. The Canada Jay is an indicator of the health of the boreal and mountain forests it lives in and indicates climate change, so it reflects the environment.

2. It lives in boreal forests found in all of the provinces and territories, so it also represents them.

3. The “wisakedjak” of folklore in indigenous cultures has long been important to the indigenous peoples, and many people like to feed and watch them. This means the Canada Jay reflects the people too. The bird even has the word Canada in its name!

  The Canadian Geographic Society couldn't press the government directly or officially lobby them for a national bird because it's a not-for-profit organization and lobbying Ottawa could jeopardize its status. Let's pressure the government for a national bird instead, and show them just how important this is to us. If many other countries, such as the United States have a national bird, then it's time Canada gets one too.