The end of the year is always an apt time to take stock of the past and make a few wishes for the coming year. Given that we are on the verge of a new millennium, here are some things to consider and a few other developments to be thankful for as Canadians.

On the dollars and cents side, Canadians are much more aware of their own personal finances than they were a generation ago. The percentage of Canadians who own stocks or mutual funds, either directly through an RRSP or indirectly through a union pension fund for example is much higher than 30 years ago. That in turn bodes well for the kinds of governments Canadians can expect in the future, as financial literacy has a way of making voters want more responsible governments.

After all, if you've gone to the trouble of trying to make sure your own finances are in order, you're more likely to demand the same standards of those who will spend a significant amount of your paycheque. That may not be immediately apparent in the closing days of 1999, but the 'prognosis' is for more responsive governments in the long-term. Politicians will have to adjust to public's growing financial literacy or risk being left behind.

Speaking of the political side of things, most of Canada's governments are now in a surplus position and are at least rhetorically committed to lightening the tax burden on their citizens. That is light years ahead of where the country was in 1994 when almost every government was running deficits and thus imperiling government finances and where 'tax cuts' were only something that happened in other countries.

Canadians can also be grateful that we have the opportunity to join political parties, unions, advocacy groups, and any number of organizations and institutions that contribute not only to keeping governments accountable, but more importantly, add to the fabric of a civil society. It is easy to take for granted such benefits as the right to vote, association, regular elections, and freedom from war. That we should not do.

Sure, anyone could easily point to any number of things still amiss in Canada, but Canada should be compared not to utopia but to the alternatives. By that measure, we as Canadians are very fortunate indeed.

And, as much as it might surprise the politicians to read it, their service is worth a sincere acknowledgment both from those of us who occasionally lock horns with politicians directly, and every Canadian themselves. Whether one wholeheartedly agrees or passionately disagrees with one's Member of Parliament or MLA, write a letter or phone your representative and let them know you appreciate their service. (Prepare for a stunned silence however.)

Czech president Vaclav Havel once wrote that it was wrong for citizens to conclude that it is "improper to devote oneself to politics because politics is, in principle, immoral." He argued instead that politics is instead a job for "modest people, people who cannot be deceived," and admitted that he did not know whether he was such a person, only that he ought to be.

There are other days and weeks for Canadians to be vigilant, to take up not only one's democratic rights but one's responsibilities and work for a better Canada, where politics would be once again seen as a noble calling. But for the moment, it is worth raising a glass to the Canada that is in 1999. There is much to celebrate.