{"id":223850,"date":"2023-06-16T11:49:01","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T15:49:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.2026-pfc.reviewyoursite.ca\/blog\/?p=223850"},"modified":"2023-06-16T11:49:01","modified_gmt":"2023-06-16T15:49:01","slug":"canada-day-2023-celebrating-156-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2026-pfc.reviewyoursite.ca\/blog\/living-in-canada\/canada-day-2023-celebrating-156-years","title":{"rendered":"Canada Day 2023! Celebrating 156 Years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A large crowd gathers each year on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario to celebrate Canada Day!<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every year, Canadians start their summer by celebrating Canada Day on July 1. The holiday marks the anniversary of Confederation, the event that created Canada. It’s a nationwide holiday that brings Canadians from all over the country together to celebrate. People get together and celebrate all the wonderful things this country offers. Canada Day, 2023, will mark Canada\u2019s 156th birthday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, Canada’s population will surpass 40 million<\/a> and a large part of the country’s growth is due to international migration. That’s a great testament to the appeal of Canada as an attractive place for newcomers. And, for newcomers, Canada Day is a great time to join the celebration and learn even more about your new home! <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Before Canada<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s mind-boggling how young Canada is in the grand scheme of things. Just two centuries ago, our beloved country didn\u2019t even exist. Instead, the land that is now Canada was a big jumble of territories known as British North America. It consisted of British colonies, a vast stretch known as Rupert\u2019s Land, and was largely uninhabited. In the South, the United States had already united to form a country. Many people at the time thought it was looking to expand north. The leaders of that time started to realize that it might be better to unite into one country rather than face external threats alone. Leaders such as Sir John A. Macdonald, George Brown, and Sir George-\u00c9tienne Cartier all got together to discuss the idea of a possible union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn the History Behind July 1<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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After many discussions, four British colonies decided to unite. On July 1, 1867, the colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada (Quebec and Ontario) got together to form the Dominion of Canada. This event is known as confederation. Every year, we celebrate the anniversary of confederation or \u201cDominion Day\u201d on July 1st. This year, Canada Day 2023 will celebrate the 156th anniversary of confederation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fun Fact: To this day, Canada\u2019s official name is still \u201cDominion of Canada.\u201d The complete name is quite wordy though, so we just shorten it to Canada.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Although Canada originally consisted of just four provinces, more British colonies opted to join the Dominion of Canada following confederation. Newfoundland and Labrador was the last province to join Canada in 1949. Canada, as we know it today, became complete with the addition of Nunavut, when it joined as a territory in 1999. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why is it Called Canada Day?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The holiday on July 1 was not always called Canada Day. Even though Canada became a country in 1867, it did not gain full autonomy and was still under British rule. While July 1 officially became a holiday in 1879, it wasn\u2019t widely celebrated and it certainly wasn\u2019t called Canada Day at the time. It wasn\u2019t until Canada gained complete independence in 1982 that July 1 became Canada Day, the holiday we know and love today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Canada Day 2023 Celebrations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Fireworks display over downtown Vancouver, British Columbia<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While Canada Day started as a small and modest holiday, it has evolved into something truly magnificent. Today, Canada Day is one of the most beloved holidays in the country. July 1 has become synonymous with large festivals and vibrant fireworks. Since Canada Day comes right after the school year ends, the holiday marks the unofficial start of the Canadian summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canada Day usually brings many exciting events and festivals with it. From the West Coast in the Pacific to the East Coast in the Atlantic, Canada lights up on July 1. You can be sure that many Canada Day festivals will take place in small towns and large cities around you! Such events may include picnics, bonfires, sporting events, parades, water activities (it’s July), and more delicious food. More importantly, these festivals are a great way to spend time with family and friends and meet new people in your community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canada Day festivals generally take place in vast, open spaces such as a large park or a beach. These festivals are enormous and have activities for everyone. Some of the biggest Canada Day celebrations take place on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Since there is ongoing construction on parliament hill that will continue for the next few years, the celebrations aren\u2019t as large this year. Instead, the festivities are spread out across Downtown Ottawa<\/a> and Gatineau. Still, the area will host some of the biggest and grandest Canada Day celebrations<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Members of Canada’s Ceremonial Guard march in a Canada Day parade in Ottawa, Ontario wearing distinctive scarlet tunics and bearskin caps. <\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Is Canada Day 2023 a Statutory Holiday?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The holiday is a national statutory holiday<\/a>, meaning most employees are legally entitled to take the day off. You will still receive statutory holiday pay, which is the same as a day\u2019s work if you take the day off. If you decide to work on Canada Day, you will receive premium pay, which is 1\u00bd times your regular pay. If you are not scheduled to work on Canada Day, you are entitled to take the next day off while receiving holiday pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canada Day being a statutory holiday also means that all government institutions are closed on that day. Libraries, government offices, banks, and post offices are all examples of services you will find closed on Canada Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What if Canada Day Falls on a Weekend?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Canada Day 2023 will fall on a Saturday. If Canada Day falls on a weekend, the holiday will move to the following Monday. That is because Saturday and Sunday are not regular working days for most employees. As a result, Canada Day is bumped to the next weekday. However, some provinces have different policies regarding when Canada Day is celebrated. While all provinces and territories recognize Canada Day as a statutory holiday, not all of them will move Canada Day to a weekday. Some provinces and territories don\u2019t have a rule that shifts Canada to a weekday if July 1 falls on a weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Canada Day Citizenship Ceremony for New Canadians.<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Related Posts:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Essential Services to Help Newcomers Settle in Canada<\/a><\/blockquote>