Some regions choosing reflection over celebrations for Canada Day

Many municipalities are choosing reflection over celebrations this Canada Day as the country reels from the discovery of several hundred unmarked graves on the sites of former residential schools.

The outpouring of grief has prompted communities across the country to scrap or revise their usual Canada Day festivities, including Victoria; the New Brunswick cities of Saint John and Fredericton; St. Albert, Alta.; Wilmot Township near Waterloo, Ont.; the northern Manitoba town of Churchill and the Saskatchewan cities of Melville and Meadow.

Durham Region has also decided to cancel festivities and are calling on their residents to “reflect on our relationships with Indigenous communities.”

Toronto will be lighting the Toronto sign and CN Tower in orange in solidarity with Indigenous communities. Mayor John Tory said Toronto would not be having any Canada Day celebrations. They had originally been cancelled due to COVID-19 and have not been reinstated.

“I think it is a day to mark the freedoms and blessings … and our values in this country, but I also think it’s a very important day on which to reflect because there are times in our history where we have fallen way short,” said Tory. “These discoveries of what has happened to Indigenous communities is a tragic example of that.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said flags at the Peace Tower will remain at half-mast for Canada Day in honour of the Indigenous children “whose lives were taken far too soon.”

As people across the country continue to honour the Indigenous children whose lives were taken far too soon, and as we reflect on the tragedy of residential schools, I have asked that the flag on the Peace Tower remain at half-mast for Canada Day.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 30, 2021

Some activists have embraced “cancel Canada Day” as a rallying cry for protests that have been planned in many parts of the country, fuelling a pitched political debate over how the country commemorates its history.

Some regions in the GTA, as well as the federal government, however, are choosing to hold virtual celebrations.

Canada-wide

The federal government is hosting a two-hour concert online starting at 8 p.m. and in broadcast, with artists making appearances from coast to coast to coast.

Headliners include Toronto’s very own Jully Black and Calgary’s Jann Arden. There will also be appearances by the Yukon dancer Gurdeep Pandher and a queen (though not the Queen) — Ottawa drag performer Kiki Coe.

The national event will also have virtual fireworks.

Peel Region

Brampton has a virtual concert starting at 6 p.m. and a drive-in fireworks display at 10 p.m. at the CAA Centre. If you want to attend you have to book a free ticket.

Next door in Mississauga, the city’s event will start that morning at 11 a.m. online and have a message of reconciliation and reflection on Canada’s relationship with indigenous peoples.

York Region

In Vaughan – the Sam Roberts Band will be headlining celebrations. Starting at 2 p.m. the family-friendly event will be hosted by Rogers Hometown Hockey’s Tara Sloane, who is also a Juno-nominated singer.

Richmond Hill is hosting a blend of virtual activities, plus a drive-in concert. Some events require pre-registration. Their site also has suggestions for outdoor activities, plus Canadian-themed crafts, recipes and games. Newmarket is hosting a drive-in fireworks display, however tickets have already been snatched up.

Safety for setting off your own Canada Day fireworks

While many official fireworks displays are off the agenda due to crowds, Canada Day is one of those special days Torontonians can set off fireworks at home without a permit. If you want to have your own cavalcade of lights — here’s what you need to know:

On Victoria Day, Torontonians are able to set off fireworks without permits, however, people were ticketed for using them at beaches, parks and other public property.

Under the City’s rules, that’s not allowed.

All displays must be set off on your own private property. Parking lots and streets are also off-limits. Rulebreakers face a $300 fine. If hosting others at your event, check Ontario’s rules for the latest information on outdoor gathering limits.

When buying fireworks, look for the vendor’s a city-issued permit, which should be on display.

The City also says only adults can set off fireworks. They should be wearing eye protection and staying an arm’s length away while lighting. The display should be set up on property that’s a distance away from buildings, and clear of overhanging trees or wires.

Fireworks should be buried for half their length in a bucket of sand. Just light one firework at a time, and have a bucket of water on hand for quick dousing.

If kids and pets are around, make sure they’re at a safe distance from the display. Pets can be scared of fireworks, so keep them inside with somewhere they feel they can safely hide, without trying to escape. Turning on the radio and using a treat as a distraction also helps.

Once the fireworks are spent, let them cool and then soak them in a bucket of water overnight before placing them in the garbage bin. For even more information on how to safely create your own display, and what to look for when buying fireworks, the City of Toronto has a full guide.