HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA

 Happy Birthday Canada.  what a difference a century makes

The year was 1920, "One hundred years ago." What a difference a century makes! 

Here is some statistics from the 1920s: 

The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.

One product that Canada exported in large quantities to the United States was illegal alcohol

 Fuel for cars was sold in drug stores only. 

Only 14 percent of homes had a bathtub. 

The telephone had become a standard household appliance. 

Telephone lines were shared by many neighbours, which meant anyone could listen in on your conversation

Only 8 percent of homes had a telephone. 

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph. 

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower. 

The average wage in 1919 was 22 cents per hour. 

The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year. 

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 per year. 

A dentist earned $2,500 per year. 

A veterinarian between $1,500 and 4,000 per year. And, a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

 More than 95 percent of all births took place at home. 

Ninety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND government as "substandard."

Sugar cost four cents a pound. 

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen. 

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound. 

Most women washed their hair once a month and, used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo. 

Canada passed a law prohibiting poor people from entering the country for any reason. 

The five leading causes of death were: 

1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis 
3. Diarrhea 
4. Heart disease 
5. Stroke 

Newfoundland was not part of Canada

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet. 

There was neither Mother's Day nor Father's Day. 

Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write. 

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were available over counter at local drugstores. 

Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach, and bowels, and is a perfect guardian of health!" (Shocking?) 

Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

Happy Canada Day

Every community in Canada is celebrating Canada Day in its own unique way. In my community here is what we are doing.  I hope you get a chance to join in the celebrations in your community.

Canada Day Activities

Lions Park 8 to 11 a.m.

– Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

– Fishing Derby, sponsored by Meridian RV. Free for kids under 10!

Castle Park 3pm to dusk

– Food vendors and beverage garden

– Live entertainment, including headliner Barney Bentall and son Dustin Bentall from 9:15-10:15pm

– Spray park on site

– Bring a blanket to enjoy the music acts leading up to the fireworks

– Dusk: Grande finale pyro-musical

– Water bottle station on site

We encourage you to explore our city's parks and outdoor spaces. Visit local businesses and the Farmers Market vendors for special promotions, including supplies and take-out picnics that can be enjoyed in the park.

2022 Live Entertainment

Barney Bentall & Dustin Bentall

JUNO award-winner artist Barney Bentall, pop/rock singer-songwriter who is most well-known for his 1990s-era band, Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, will take the stage alongside his son Dustin Bentall – a rustic troubadour, counter-culture cowboy, and a purveyor in the finest of cosmic Canadiana.Performance time: 9:15 – 10:15PM

Rumba Calzada

Rumba Calzada sets a standard for authentic Latin Jazz and Salsa music. Originally formed in 1991 by Boying Geronimo and now headed by his son, Raphael Geronimo, the band has recorded four albums with an array of nominations, including a Juno Award (2002 World Music Album of the Year), Westcoast Music Awards (2002 Outstanding World Recording of the Year) and Canadian Independent Music Awards (2002 Best Global Album). Performance time: TBA

There will be food and drink along with vendors and displays 

Indigenous Educational Resources

This Canada Day, we encourage local residents and families to learn and reflect on the history of Indigenous people in Canada. There is much work to do to address and repair the intergenerational trauma caused by the treatment of Indigenous peoples in Canada, including but not limited to, the residential school system. Educating yourself is one way we can all build toward reconciliation.

Learn about and view resources from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, a place of learning and dialogue about residential schools.

Read about the first stage of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada about residential schools that concluded in 2015.

Read about the history of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation) in this area.

Click here for a variety of resources and information on National Indigenous History Month each June, which recognizes the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada.

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day to all who live in this wonderful country. There are always issue that can separate us, but we still are lucky to live where we live. The issues are important, but we have the ability to sit down and talk about our differences in a civil and respectful way.  

The sun this morning rose over Newfoundland and will set over BC tonight. The colours over the Maritimes were especially impressive. The Great Lakes caught the sun at just the right time. A few Manitobans up early enough even wondered if Summer was still holding the fort.

Ontario woke up to a new reality and many of them are shaking their heads wondering what happened, but they know common sense will prevail

The happy children in Saskatchewan said to say, "Hi!" The oil workers in Alberta said, "Thanks for the laugh!" The realtor in Quebec asked, "Are you sure about the farmer's market?" The dancer in PEI whispered, "Don't tell a soul..." And the sage in BC said, "You have exactly what it takes to travel!" The Northern Lights danced and played over the Yukon, Nunavut and the North West Territories as the north welcomed summer.

Tell me do you have any recollection of all your other-worldly to-ings and fro-ings, yet? Or are we still pretending we are not in one of the greatest countries in the world?

If you only knew...

What can you do to celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday?

Community-driven projects form the basis for the celebrations of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Communities all across the country will have the chance to highlight regional talent and expertise, as well as the various facets of Canada’s diversity. Projects will include festivals, youth exchanges and forums, cultural projects and works of art.

Join the celebration, it’s happening in your community too! 

Here is a Webpage with community celebrations from each province: http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1475775848282

Pan-Canadian Signature projects are large-scale, participation-oriented activities, of national scope and with high impact. These projects will bring Canadians together to celebrate, participate in events and share experiences. 

Here is a page with a link to these projects

http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1475163068164 

Here are a few projects that I found interesting:

150 Years Young - Apathy is Boring

Through Creative Interventions, the 150 Years Young campaign will acknowledge and highlight millennials’ diverse contributions and mobilize their potential. Photos and Stories will be collected to illustrate how millennials make a difference then will be posted online and projected on buildings in 5 different cities as part of Street Talks events.

Edges of Canada - NYO Canada

The “Edges of Canada sesquicentennial tour” represents the most ambitious undertaking in National Youth Orchestra’s 57-year history. Travelling to top venues in 12 cities coast-to-coast-to-coast, the Orchestra will perform, some of the most complex and beautiful classical music repertoire to be heard anywhere in Canada, if not the world. This year, they will add not only a massive expansion in reach but also a massive expansion in the extent of their collaborations and artistic scope.

The special sesquicentennial tour will also see the Orchestra perform specially commissioned new works by Canadian composers, a collaboration in selected cities with the National Youth Choir, and also the performance of a very special original multi-arts component, which will be created by leading Indigenous artists from every part of Canada

Innovation150

Five of Canada’s leading science organisations have combined forces to create Innovation150, a nationwide program designed to celebrate our country’s innovative past, present and future, igniting the spark for future discoveries in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and paving the way for the innovators of tomorrow.

Innovation150 is a year-long program featuring a national science tour, a hands-on make space, innovation festivals, a quantum exhibition, educational materials for kids, and a collaborative digital innovation storybook.

Lost Stories - Concordia University

The Lost Stories Project seeks out little-known stories about the Canadian past from across the country which will be brought to light and transformed into public works of art. This process is documented through a series of short films. Watch as we embark on a creative journey into our history.

How can I get involved?

Are there little-known stories that you think are worth telling, and that are connected to a particular location where a marker could be constructed? If so, write: historylost@concordia.ca or share through Facebook or Twitter.

Red Couch Tour - ELPIO Production

The Red Couch Tour is calling all Canadians to have a seat and share their story! To celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary, the Red Couch is travelling cross-country to hear from Canadians on what Canada means to them.

The Northern tour kicked-off of on March 1st in Iqaluit, and continues for an 8-week national tour in June and July from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia, with many stops along the way including small towns and major urban centers. Follow the journey online and watch for a tour stop in your community!

Happy Canada Day

Canada’s national holiday is celebrated on July 1. Canadians across the country and around the world show their pride in their history, culture and achievements. It’s been a day of celebration, where many festivities are held across the country, since 1868.

The Creation of Canada Day

July 1, 1867: The British North America Act (today known as the Constitution Act, 1867) created Canada.

June 20, 1868: Governor General Lord Monck signs a proclamation that requests all Her Majesty’s subjects across Canada to celebrate July 1.

1879: A federal law makes July 1 a statutory holiday as the “anniversary of Confederation,” which is later called “Dominion Day.”

October 27, 1982: July 1, “Dominion Day” officially becomes Canada Day.

The Celebrations Start  July 1, 1917: The 50th anniversary of Confederation. The Parliament buildings, under construction, are dedicated to the Fathers of Confederation and to the courage of Canadians who fought in Europe during the First World War.

July 1, 1927: The 60th anniversary of Confederation. The Peace Tower Carillon is inaugurated. The Governor General at the time, Viscount Willingdon, lays the cornerstone of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street.

From 1958 to 1968: The government organizes celebrations for Canada’s national holiday every year. The Secretary of State of Canada is responsible for coordinating these activities. A typical format includes a flag ceremony in the afternoon on the lawns of Parliament Hill and a sunset ceremony in the evenings, followed by a concert of military music and fireworks.

July 1, 1967: The 100th anniversary of Confederation. Parliament Hill is the backdrop for a high‑profile ceremony, which includes the participation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

From 1968 to 1979 (with the exception of 1976): A large multicultural celebration is presented on Parliament Hill. This concert is broadcast on television across the country. The main celebrations (called “Festival Canada”) are held in the National Capital Region throughout the month of July. These celebrations include many cultural, artistic and sport activities and involve the participation of various municipalities and volunteer associations.

From 1980 to 1983: A new format is developed. In addition to the festivities on Parliament Hill, the national committee (the group tasked by the federal government to plan the festivities for Canada’s national holiday) starts to encourage and financially support the establishment of local celebrations across Canada. Start-up funding is provided to support popular activities and performances organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of communities. Interested organizations can make a request to the Celebrate Canada program.

1981: Fireworks light up the sky in 15 major Canadian cities, a tradition that continues today.

1984: The National Capital Commission (NCC) is given the mandate to organize Canada Day festivities in the capital.

2010: Festivities on Parliament Hill receive a royal treatment when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh join the festivities to celebrate Canada’s 143rd anniversary.

2011: Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, participate in Canada Day festivities on Parliament Hill on the occasion of Canada’s 144th anniversary.

2014-2015: Canadian Heritage organizes the 147th Canada Day celebrations. As we approach Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, the government has given the Department the mandate to organize Canada Day festivities in the capital.

Canada Day

Canada Day is meant to be a day of celebration about the birth of our great Country. On July 1 1867, at noon, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada were proclaimed the Dominion of Canada, with John A. Macdonald its first prime minister. Now, the area of Upper Canada was called Ontario and Lower Canada was called Quebec.

In most parts of the new Dominion, it was a dazzling sunny day. The reverberation of a brass band could be heard in many towns.

In Toronto, children were given Union Jacks to wave and an ox was roasted in front of St. Lawrence Hall, with the meat then distributed to the poor.

In Ottawa, a military review on Parliament Hill fired a salute. The soldiers forgot to take the ramrods out of their rifles and the iron rods arched over Sparks Street.

But there are other views and the following was written by Drew Hayden Taylor and published in the Globe and Mail in 2012.

Canada Day has always been a mixed bag for Canada’s native people. It makes us think of many things: patriotism, flags, sunburned cottagers, barbeques and exploding fireworks. That’s the good stuff.

For some, though, it’s a reminder that it was four years ago when Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized to the first nations, Inuit and Métis inhabitants of this country for the imposition and effects of the infamous residential-school system.

Since then, much has been said and written about that apology: Did it go far enough? Too little too late? What’s next? That is something I am afraid only educated, wealthy white men in positions of power can decide.

However, some in the native community feel that perhaps we are being a little lax in not issuing an apology of our own.

We are not without some culpability. In the centuries that have passed since that fateful day of contact, we ourselves have been negligent and irresponsible in not acknowledging our liability in many regretful incidents and events in the past.

So in the spirit of cooperation, I would like to offer up these apologies to the people of Canada on behalf of the NAFNIP (native/aboriginal/first nations/indigenous people):

We hereby apologize for being so inconsiderate as to occupy land that, one day, your people would want. Even though we did not have a postal system or an Internet, this was an inexcusable oversight. We hope you are enjoying it.

We apologize for having so many politically correct and incorrect names for you to call us – everything from native to aboriginal to first nations to wagon burner to status-card number 

In retrospect, to make things easier for you, we should have stayed in India, where we were originally thought to have come from. Unfortunately today it is really hard to get decent palak paneer on the reserve.

We hereby apologize for not understanding the subtle connections between God, children and sexual abuse. Some are still struggling with appreciating this association.

They are forgetting that, early in the Bible, it says, “Let there be white. And it was good.”

We apologize for wanting rights to minerals and other natural resources that exist beneath our feet. When you negotiated for our land, you meant to the Earth’s core.

We did not fully comprehend that when we were put on reserves where our rights to the land only went two or three feet below the surface.

Anything that falls down a sewer grate basically belongs to the Federal Government.

We apologize for being so concerned about the disappearances of so many native women.

We did not realize that the professional attitude of most law-enforcement agencies towards this issue was basically “out of sight, out of mind.” From now on, we’ll report any native women that go missing as white women with dark tans. That should speed up response time.

Many of us also believe that with the passage of Bill C51 Canada has taken one large step backwards toward a paternalistic and some would say fascist state that will destroy the country that progressives have been trying to build for years. So there is much to celebrate this Canada day, but there is also much to remember and if no action is taken, much to mourn.

Poco Celebrates Canada Day

Even though I am upset with the city over the mistreatment of one of the homeless who live here, we do take pride in how we celebrate Canada Day, here are the activities that my town has planned for the day. Enjoy what your city or town has planned and celebrate this wonderful country on July 1

8-11:30 am: Lions Park, Shaughnessy Street and Lions Way

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Enjoy a great start to Canada Day with a delicious breakfast served by the local Lions Club. $5 each and $3 for children under 12.

Twelfth Annual Fishing Derby

Children under 10 are invited to test their fishing talents at this fun annual event - prizes and lots of family fun! Register on site.


Noon - dusk: Castle Park, Castle Crescent and Citadel Drive

Help make this a green event

• Walk or ride to Castle Park. Park your bike at the free bike valet staffed by local Boy Scouts!
• Park at the West Coast Express station and take the free shuttle running every 30 minutes from 11:30 am to after the fireworks.
• Sort your waste at the waste-sorting bins on-site.
• Refundable bottles may be left with local Boy Scouts who will be on hand.

Opening Ceremony and Cake Cutting: Noon

Enjoy the ceremony, including the singing of the national anthem, flag raising and a piece of cake.

Community Showcase: 12:30-5:30pm

Our Showcase promises to be as entertaining as ever with a variety of entertainers featuring local talents and many cultures of Canada! Including a special bilingual concert at 3:15pm with children’s entertainer Will Stroet, sponsored by Canadian Parents for French.

Children’s Activities: 12:30-5:30pm

Have your face painted, enjoy the creation station, bouncy castles, laser tag, hamster balls and more, all for free, sponsored by PoCo Inn and Suites.

International Bazaar: 12:30-5:30pm

Celebrate Canada’s diversity at the International Bazaar.  Experience other cultures and enjoy the displays and on-site concessions with many international features.

Firefighters’ Salmon Barbeque: 2pm start

This Canada Day favourite is being served once again by our local firefighters.  Proceeds go to the Burn Fund. It's usually a sell out! Cost: $10.

Evening Entertainment: 6-10pm

 

 

Our evening performances kick off with up-and-coming Accent Band, followed by Innerwild and the Michael Wood Band.

Grande Finale Fireworks: Dusk

Enjoy the spectacular thrill of fireworks coordinated by Port Coquitlam Fire & Emergency Services. Sponsored by the Onni Group.




Many thanks to our sponsors!

Celebrate Canada Day

Here is how my town is celebrating Canada Day, I hope you have the opportunity to join in your own community celebrations for Canada Day or for my American friends July 4th.

Enjoy the day and celebrate your country.

 

Port Coquitlam Celebrates Canada Day - Sunday, July 1

Lions Park  Time: 8 - 11:30am

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast Enjoy a great start to Canada Day with a delicious breakfast served by the local Lions Club. $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12.

10th Annual Fishing Derby A great opportunity for children under 12  to test their fishing skills. Expect prizes and lots of family fun! Free admission.

Castle Park
12 noon - DuskFree admission! See below for info about free shuttle and parking restrictions.

Noon: Opening Ceremonies & Cake Cutting 12:30-5:30 pm: Community Showcase featuring local talent (see below for evening entertainment)  3:30pm - 6:30pm Firefighters' Salmon Barbecue - this Canada Day favourite is being served once again by our local firefighters. Proceeds go to the Burn Fund.	12:30 - 5:30pm: Children's activities - including Bell E. Buttons the Clown, free face painting, a creation station, castles and a climbing wall. International bazaar - displays and vendors
6:00-10:00pm: Musical entertainment: Enjoy the Big Yahoo followed by Andy Lorimer (formerly with Prism) backing up Susie McGregor, an animated and expressive performer whose vocals have drawn Canadian audiences from coast to coast. This duo is back after being very well received at last year's event.	Dusk Grande Finale Fireworks: Enjoy the thrill of fireworks coordinated by Port Coquitlam Fire & Emergency Services and sponsored this year by Onni Group.