“We decided not to separate and fight, but to unite and build. Because it is the Canadian route, “said Prime Minister Mark Carney to the thousands of Canadians gathered in the national capital.
This year’s festivities at the Plaines Lebreton Park were royally welcomed, Prince Edward, renting Canada’s unit and achievements.
“Seeing this sea of red and white, I have only one feeling here,” said the Duke of Edinburgh. Today is truly a celebration of you, your home and your land, strong and free. ”
The speeches of the leaders were interspersed with musical performances, indigenous cultural demonstrations and a double overview of military planes of snowbirds. The Federal Heritage Ministry has 5,000 participants in these events.
General Governor Mary Simon said that the country was committed to the path of reconciliation, started by mutual listening, respect for the past and taking into account the pain and resilience of indigenous peoples.
“Kindness is the common thread that unites our communities,” she said.
On the occasion of his first national holiday since its entry into office in March, Mark Carney spoke of striking moments in Canada’s history, from the Vimy crest battle to the role of Gander, in Newfoundland and Labrador, in support of people whose flights were nailed to the ground after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
“Our economy is attacked by a trade war that we have not triggered,” he added, referring to the series of customs duties imposed by US President Donald Trump in Canada.
“Our values are put to the test by attacks against democracy and freedoms – attacks to which we must resist. And once again, while the world becomes more divided and dangerous, Canadians unite. ”
— Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada
Mark Carney took advantage of his speech to boast the merits of laws adopted by his government aimed at accelerating the authorization of major projects, despite the controversy aroused by Bill C-5 among environmentalists, Aboriginal groups and defenders of democracy.
He called on Canadians to show the same business spirit that allowed the construction of the Saint-Laurent maritime route and the 1967 Universal Exhibition in Montreal, and “Build, Baby, Build” (“Building, Baby, Build”) in the face of American economic threats.
This year, Canada’s Day coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag and the 45th anniversary of the official adoption of theÔ Canada as a national anthem.
The ceremony also marked the 45th anniversary of the Marathon de l’Espoir by Terry Fox. The Federal Minister of Canadian Identity, Steven Guilbeault, underlined the presence of the younger brother of Terry Fox, Darrell, in a cycling team traveling 7,000 kilometers from Vancouver in Saint-Jean de Newfoundland.
He also underlined the death of “Canadians and remarkable natives that we have lost” in the past year, in particular actor Donald Sutherland and the former president of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Murray Sinclair.
“Their inheritance continues through the people they inspired, the change they aroused and Canada that they helped build,” added Mr. Guilbeault.
In Alberta, where the discussions on the separation of Canada have dominated a large part of the political debate since the liberal victory in the April elections of April, hundreds of people took advantage of the sun on the ground of the Edmonton legislative assembly.
“I am proud to be Canadian and to firmly defend Canada,” said Alice Rutto, who said that separation discussions had prompted him to participate in the celebrations.
But Jack O’Brien had mixed opinions. Although he said that Canada’s Day was a day of gathering and not a moment to talk about independence, his point of view on Canada will be different on July 2.
“It’s time to celebrate Canada, right?” But if you ask me the question of separation tomorrow, it will be a completely different story, added Mr. O’Brien, who lives in a rural community. I am not a supporter of the liberal government and I think that the majority of Albertans are not, and, to be honest, if they wanted the separation and wanted my vote, they would get it. ”
In Vancouver, hundreds of people gathered to listen to live music on Granville Island, where Jaskiran Kaur, a local shopping, said it was proud to see the community celebrate this celebration, after a break due to the pandemic of Covid-19 and to the announced discovery of tombs in Aboriginal boarding schools in British Colombia.
“I think that Granville Island has really been aware of consciousness with regard to residents’ survivors and recognition of indigenous culture,” said Jaskiran Kaur while waiting for his children to make up.
“I think that’s why the tone has been very moderate in recent years. And I think that her return, all over the country, is largely linked to the rhetoric of the 51st state, “she added, in reference to the aspirations of Donald Trump to make Canada an American state.
In front of the Toronto town hall, hundreds of people gathered at the Nathan Phillips Square to take photos in front of the three -dimensional panel in Toronto, while enjoying concerts and dance shows.
Phoenix Deluca said that she had come from Peterborough, Ontario, with her Scottish friends visiting to participate in the celebrations.
“It’s nice to highlight Canada,” she said. I am very proud to be Canadian. ”
Carlos Gama immigrated to Canada three years ago from Brazil and said that he had spent every Canada party since then in downtown Toronto. He announced that he would celebrate with “Putin and other Canadian dishes”.
A few pâtés from there, in Queen’s Park, hundreds of people demonstrated during a “Idle No More” rally, opposing the Ontario law on major projects, which aroused great opposition from the indigenous groups.
“We have to unite. The big lakes will be dead within 10 years, “said Melanie Vandam, member of the Cutler Nation, at the crowd, in tears.
– With reports from Natasha Baldin in Toronto, Brieanna Charlebois in Vancouver and Rob Drinkwater in Edmonton
