Canada Day 2021
2021 Canada Day celebrated virtually amid COVID-19 pandemic
Ottawa/IBNS: Canada Day is the national day of Canada and has been observed on July 1 since 1868 by Canadians across the country and around the world to show their pride in their history, culture, and achievements.
Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday and celebrates the anniversary of the Canadian confederation which occurred on July 1, 1867, when the British Parliament passed legislation and created Canada as a new, domestically self-governing federation, consisting of the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.
In 1868, Governor-General Lord Monck signed a proclamation that requests all Her Majesty's subjects across Canada to celebrate July 1.
On Canada Day, Canadians from across the world get together to celebrate this day with fireworks, parades, barbecues, concerts, carnivals, fairs, and picnics, etc.
As Canada observes its 154th national day this year, its second Canada Day under public health restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and amid a renewed conversation about Indigenous reconciliation, it becomes both a day of celebration and reflection.
Canada flags continue to fly at half-mast in Ottawa after the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at sites of former residential schools in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Toronto's iconic CN Tower would be lighted in orange to show its solidarity with the indigenous communities.
The mode of celebration has also changed to virtual due to public health restrictions and in many parts of the country, celebrations have been canceled to show their solidarity with the Indigenous communities of Canada.
" More than ever, Canada Day is a time for all Canadians to show empathy, understanding, and humility. It is also an opportunity to educate ourselves, to reflect, and to redefine our relationship with July 1st, while reaffirming our commitment to ending the systemic racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous peoples. We encourage you to learn more about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We must learn from the lessons of our past and move forward on a shared path of reconciliation," said a statement by the government of Canada.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
