56-709: The International Freedom Festival is a multi-day celebration in late June marking Canada Day on July 1 and the American Independence Day on July 4. Detroit, Michigan, in the United States and Windsor, Ontario , in Canada jointly celebrate the multi-day festival which draws about 3.5 million visitors. The International Freedom Festival began in 1959. Beginning in 2007, the Festival became two separate events, Windsor Summer Fest, and Detroit River Days. Summer Fest
112-527: A Canadian monarch . A one-off holiday was declared after the death of George VI on February 15, 1952, and after the death of Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022. September 19 was named a national day of mourning ( French : Jour de deuil national ) to commemorate Elizabeth II as Canada's head of state. The day was a holiday for federal government employees. The provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island also enacted provincial equivalents for
168-596: A "kingdom in its own right" within the British Empire , commonly known as the Dominion of Canada . Although a British dominion, Canada gained an increased level of political control and governance over its own affairs, the British parliament and cabinet maintaining political control over certain areas, such as foreign affairs, national defence, and constitutional changes . Canada gradually gained increasing sovereignty over
224-432: A budget of $ 14,000. Parliament was traditionally in session on July 1, but Fairclough persuaded Diefenbaker and the rest of the federal cabinet to attend. Official celebrations thereafter consisted usually of trooping the colour ceremonies on Parliament Hill in the afternoon and evening, followed by a mass band concert and fireworks display. Fairclough, who became Minister of Citizenship and Immigration , later expanded
280-406: A half") or twice (known as "double time") the regular pay for their time worked that day, in addition to the holiday pay. In most provinces, when a statutory holiday falls on a normal day off (generally a weekend), the following workday is considered a statutory holiday. Statistics Canada shows an average of 11 paid statutory holidays per year in regard to all firms and corporations operating within
336-600: A negative stigma among some Indigenous peoples in Canada and their sympathizers, who associate the day with injustices perpetuated against them by the Canadian state. Criticism was particularly prominent during Canada's sesquicentennial in 2017, with allegations that the commemorations downplayed the role of indigenous peoples in the country's history and the hardships they face in the present day. The same grievances were aired four years later, after possible unmarked graves of indigenous children were found in late-June 2021, at
392-487: A statutory holiday in any province or territory; however, in Quebec employers must give either Good Friday or Easter Monday as a statutory holiday, though most give both days. Banks remain open (legally they cannot close for more than three consecutive days except in emergencies ), but employees often receive a "floating" paid day off to be taken on or near the holiday. This is not one of the nine "General Holidays" as defined by
448-562: Is a 19-day festival, which takes place along the scenic riverfront in Windsor Ontario. More than 500,000 people attend the event each year. The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy began the River Days festival in June 2007 to introduce the community and visitors to the transformed Detroit International Riverfront . The festival marked the opening of significant portions of the new Detroit RiverWalk and
504-408: Is legislated either through the federal government or a provincial or territorial government. Most workers, public and private, are entitled to take the day off with regular pay. However, some employers may require employees to work on such a holiday, but the employee must either receive a day off in lieu of the holiday or must be paid at a premium rate – usually 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 (known as "time and
560-402: Is not a statutory holiday. Canada Day is not a statutory holiday as July 1 is Memorial Day . Provincial statutory Optional The following is a list of designated paid holidays for government employees. These have not been observed as statutory holidays since 1992. They are, however, observed by the provincial government. Unlike most other provinces, there is no province-wide holiday on
616-790: Is not the legal holiday. If it falls on a weekend, businesses normally closed that day will usually dedicate the following Monday as a day off. The enactment of the British North America Act, 1867 (today called the Constitution Act, 1867 ), which confederated Canada , was celebrated on July 1, 1867, with the ringing of the bells at the Cathedral Church of St James in Toronto and "bonfires, fireworks, and illuminations, excursions, military displays, and musical and other entertainments", as described in contemporary accounts. On June 20 of
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#1732852352955672-526: Is the national day of Canada . A federal statutory holiday , it celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation which occurred on July 1, 1867, with the passing of the British North America Act, 1867 , when the three separate colonies of the United Canadas , Nova Scotia , and New Brunswick were united into a single dominion within the British Empire called Canada. Originally called Dominion Day ( French : Le Jour de la Confédération ),
728-438: Is to be held on June 26, 2023, as fireworks to occur around or after 22:00 EDT (02:00 UTC ) with broadcast on WDIV-TV starting at 20:00 EDT (00:00 UTC). The event for 2023 to be named "Splash into Summer" with 10,000 pyrotechnic effects to light up the sky alongside Detroit River for quite a distance For most of its existence it was sponsored by Hudson's . Its corporate successor Target took over as sponsor until 2013, when
784-793: Is widely observed. Not observed in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, or Yukon. Not observed in Prince Edward Island, though many businesses instead observe a holiday for the Gold Cup Parade, held on the third Friday in August. As of 2023 , the day is observed as a statutory holiday for all workers in British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon. Schools and some public services close for
840-651: The Canada Labour Code – Part III. As such, there is no legal requirement for private sector employers in federally regulated industries to provide Easter Monday as a paid holiday to employees. However, many federal government offices will be closed on this day. Statutory holiday in Alberta , British Columbia, Manitoba , Northwest Territories , Nunavut , Ontario , Quebec (coincides with National Patriots' Day), Saskatchewan , and Yukon . A holiday in New Brunswick under
896-505: The Canada's sesquicentennial in 2017, the Bank of Canada released a commemorative $ 10 banknote , which was expected to be broadly available by Canada Day. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation in 2020 of all in-person Canada Day festivities nationwide, due to social distancing and restrictions on public gatherings. Some were converted to virtual events . The same cancellations occurred
952-682: The Ford Motor Company became the primary sponsor, with the event re-branded as the Ford Fireworks presented by Target . The show is broadcast on TV by NBC affiliate WDIV-TV Local 4, while WJR airs an audio simulcast of its music. On the Windsor side, there is a midway consisting of carnival rides and concessions during the festival. The Midway operates as a stand-alone attraction at the end of June and beginning of July. It's also sponsored by Zehrs , providing free transportation for people to get to
1008-586: The Newfoundland Regiment 's heavy losses during the battle —and the enactment of the Chinese Immigration Act in 1923, leading Chinese-Canadians to refer to July 1 as Humiliation Day ( Chinese : 僑恥日 ; pinyin : Qiáo Chǐ Rì ) and boycott Dominion Day celebrations with shop closures, flying the Canadian flag on half-mast , or hanging wreaths in front of home and shop entrances until
1064-924: The Royal Canadian Legion in Chapala , and at the Canadian Club in Ajijic . In China, Canada Day celebrations are held at the Bund Beach by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and at Canadian International School in Beijing, sponsored by the Canada China Business Council . Given the federal nature of the anniversary, celebrating Canada Day can be a cause of friction in the province of Quebec , where
1120-402: The federal or provincial and territorial levels. While many of these holidays are honoured and acknowledged nationwide, provincial and territorial legislation varies in regard to which are officially recognized. There are five nationwide statutory holidays and six additional holidays for federal employees. Each of the 13 provinces and territories observes a number of holidays in addition to
1176-564: The Days of Rest Act. Not a statutory holiday in the eastern provinces of Nova Scotia , Prince Edward Island , or Newfoundland and Labrador . Civic holiday (may be a paid vacation day depending on employer) in Alberta (Heritage Day), Manitoba (Terry Fox Day), Ontario (Colonel By Day, John Galt Day, Simcoe Day, and others), and Nova Scotia ( Natal Day ). Not an official statutory holiday in Ontario, but it
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#17328523529551232-534: The Days of Rest Act. Statutory holiday in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. In Manitoba, an "Official day of Observance", not a statutory holiday. In Nova Scotia, addressed in the Remembrance Day Act , which prohibits employers from allowing employees to work and prohibits employees from working with exceptions for required services. Employers have
1288-552: The Senate did eventually pass the bill, regardless. With the granting of royal assent , the holiday's name was officially changed to Canada Day on October 27, 1982, and first celebrated under that name July 1, 1983. As the anniversary of Confederation, Dominion Day, and later Canada Day, was the date set for a number of important events, such as the first national radio network hookup by the Canadian National Railway (1927);
1344-494: The Windsor and Detroit river fronts ( citation needed ). It is usually held on the Monday shared by both festivals. Traditionally, several days of events were planned, ending with one of the world's largest fireworks displays. The event usually took place the last Wednesday of June, every year. However, in 2010, the day was moved to a Monday. The Windsor side also contains a carnival with additional events and rides. In 2020 and 2021,
1400-467: The act was repealed in 1947. Canada Day also coincides with Quebec's Moving Day , when many fixed-lease apartment rental terms expire. The bill changing the province's moving day from May 1 to July 1 was introduced by a federalist member of the Quebec National Assembly , Jérôme Choquette , in 1973, in order not to affect children still in school in the month of May. Most communities across
1456-406: The bill in five minutes, without debate, inspiring "grumblings about the underhandedness of the process". It met with stronger resistance in the Senate. Ernest Manning argued that the rationale for the change was based on a misperception of the name and George McIlraith did not agree with the manner in which the bill was passed, urging the government to proceed in a more "dignified way". However,
1512-497: The bills to include performing folk and ethnic groups. The day also became more casual and family oriented. Canada's centennial in 1967 is often seen as an important milestone in the history of Canadian nationalism and in Canada's maturing as a distinct, independent country, after which Dominion Day became more popular with average Canadians. Into the late 1960s, nationally televised, multi-cultural concerts held in Ottawa were added and
1568-527: The cancellations, while others expressed concern that activists were attacking "the very idea of Canada itself" and hampering progress toward reconciliation. Public holidays in Canada Public holidays in Canada ( French : Jours fériés au Canada ), known as statutory holidays , stat holidays , or simply stats ( French : jours fériés ), consist of a variety of cultural, nationalistic, and religious holidays that are legislated in Canada at
1624-472: The country host organized celebrations for Canada Day, typically outdoor public events, such as parades, carnivals, festivals, barbecues, air and maritime shows, fireworks, and free musical concerts, as well as citizenship ceremonies . There is no standard mode of celebration for Canada Day; Jennifer Welsh , a professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford , said about this: "Canada Day, like
1680-404: The country, is endlessly decentralized. There doesn't seem to be a central recipe for how to celebrate it—chalk it up to the nature of the federation." In the national capital of Ottawa, concerts and cultural displays are held on the front lawn of Parliament Hill, as organized by Canadian Heritage , which include the main "noon show" and an evening programme. The event traditionally begins with
1736-522: The day in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Statutory holiday in most jurisdictions of Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. An optional holiday in the Atlantic provinces of Prince Edward Island , Newfoundland and Labrador , New Brunswick and Nova Scotia . In New Brunswick, included under
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1792-924: The federal holiday. The provinces of Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Quebec did not enact any holiday. Provinces and territories generally adopt the same holidays as the federal government with some variations. Five nationwide statutory holidays, four provincial holidays as well as three "optional holidays". Provincial statutory Optional Five nationwide and six provincial statutory holidays. Provincial statutory Five nationwide and three provincial statutory holidays, as well as two optional holidays. Remembrance Day and Boxing Day are not statutory holidays. Provincial statutory Optional Five nationwide and five provincial statutory holidays. Although prescribed as public holidays, Victoria Day, Thanksgiving, and Boxing Day are not paid public holidays. Provincial statutory Optional Five nationwide and one provincial statutory holiday. Thanksgiving
1848-463: The festival has continued each year to spotlight this destination in the city of Detroit. The highlight of both festivals is the fireworks display in celebration of the United States' Independence Day and Canada's Canada Day. It is one of the largest and most spectacular firework displays in North America, lighting up the sky over Windsor and Detroit. This annual spectacle draws more than 1,000,000 to
1904-486: The fireworks event had to be postponed to later months and moved to designated locations within Southeast Lower Michigan and ban spectators from attending in response to COVID-19 pandemic and public health safety concerns as it was a television-only event broadcast on WDIV-TV . From 2022 onward, the event gets held once again at the riverfront with spectators attending the fireworks in person. The upcoming event
1960-474: The fireworks via Transit Windsor . The Ford Fireworks is produced by The Parade Company of Detroit . 42°19′26″N 83°02′32″W / 42.32389°N 83.04222°W / 42.32389; -83.04222 Canada Day Canada Day ( French : Fête du Canada , lit. 'Feast of Canada', [faɛ̯t dzy kanadɑ] ), formerly known as Dominion Day ( French : Fête du Dominion , lit. 'Feast of Dominion'),
2016-498: The first Monday in August. It may be seen as redundant due to the Royal St. John's Regatta , which is observed as a civic holiday in St. John's on the first Wednesday in August (or, in case of poor weather, the next suitable day thereafter). Harbour Grace and Labrador City have a similar holiday for their regatta in late July. All other municipalities are entitled to designate one day a year as
2072-537: The following year, Governor General the Viscount Monck issued a royal proclamation asking for Canadians to celebrate the anniversary of Confederation, However, the holiday was not established statutorily until May 15, 1879, when it was designated as Dominion Day , alluding to the reference in the British North America Act to the country as a dominion . The holiday was initially not dominant in
2128-669: The following year; though, some also for political reasons . In-person festivities in Ottawa returned in 2022, being re-located from Parliament Hill to LeBreton Flats due to construction associated with the Parliament Hill Rehabilitation project. Other events fell on the same day coincidentally, such as the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916—shortly after which Newfoundland recognized July 1 as Memorial Day to commemorate
2184-418: The fête became known as Festival Canada . After 1980, the Canadian government began to promote celebrating Dominion Day beyond the national capital, giving grants and aid to cities across the country to help fund local activities. Some Canadians were, by the early 1980s, informally referring to the holiday as Canada Day , a practice that caused some controversy: Proponents argued that the name Dominion Day
2240-549: The holiday is overshadowed by the province's Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day ( Fête nationale ), on June 24. For example, the federal government funds Canada Day events at the Old Port of Montreal —an area run by a federal Crown corporation —while the Fête nationale parade is a grassroots effort that has faced difficulties in operating due to limited funding from the federal government and a lack of corporate sponsors. Canada Day has attracted
2296-607: The holiday was renamed in 1982, the same year that the Canadian constitution was patriated by the Canada Act, 1982 , which severed the vestiges of legal dependence on the Parliament of the United Kingdom . Canada Day celebrations take place throughout the country, as well as in various locations around the world attended by Canadians living abroad . Canada Day is often informally referred to as "Canada's birthday", particularly in
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2352-622: The inauguration of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 's cross-country television broadcast, with Governor General Vincent Massey 's Dominion Day speech from Parliament Hill (1958); the flooding of the Saint Lawrence Seaway (1958); the first colour television transmission in Canada (1966); the inauguration of the Order of Canada (1967); and the establishment of " O Canada " as the country's national anthem (1980). During
2408-490: The national calendar; any celebrations were mounted by local communities and the governor general hosted a party at Rideau Hall . No larger celebrations were held until 1917, and then none again for a further decade—the gold and diamond anniversaries of Confederation, respectively. In 1946, Philéas Côté , a Quebec member of the House of Commons , introduced a private member's bill to rename Dominion Day as Canada Day . The bill
2464-767: The nationwide days, but each varies in regard to which are legislated as either statutory, optional, or not at all. Many public and private employers, as well as school systems , provide additional days off around the end of December , often including at least a full or half-day on December 24 ( Christmas Eve ) or December 31 ( New Year's Eve ) or in some cases, the entire week between Christmas and New Year. While not officially legislated in any capacity, internationally notable cultural holidays such as Valentine's Day , St. Patrick's Day , Halloween , Mother's Day , and Father's Day are traditionally observed by Canadians as part of Canadian culture . A statutory holiday (also known as "stats" or "general" or "public" holiday) in Canada
2520-559: The option of giving Remembrance Day or an alternate day off. Not a statutory holiday in Quebec and Ontario. Provincially, a statutory holiday in Ontario. A holiday in New Brunswick under the Days of Rest Act. Many employers across the country observe Boxing Day as a paid day off. British Columbia previously celebrated Family Day on the second Monday in February between 2013 and 2018. However, British Columbia celebrates Family Day on
2576-412: The popular press. However, the term "birthday" can be seen as an oversimplification , as Canada Day is the anniversary of only one important national milestone on the way to the country's full sovereignty, namely the joining on July 1, 1867, of the colonies of Canada (divided into Ontario and Quebec ), Nova Scotia , and New Brunswick into a wider British federation of four provinces. Canada became
2632-506: The province. In Quebec , non-federally regulated employers must give either Good Friday or Easter Monday as a statutory holiday, though some give both days. In Newfoundland and Labrador , observed concurrently with Memorial Day . In addition to the nationwide holidays listed above, the following holidays are mandated by federal legislation for federally regulated employees. All banks and post offices commemorate these holidays, and they are statutory in some provinces and territories. Not
2688-706: The provincial legislative building, usually in the presence of the lieutenant-governor and/or premier of the province. Canadian expatriates will often organize Canada Day activities in their local area on or near the date of the holiday. Examples include Canada D'eh , an annual celebration that takes place on June 30 at Lan Kwai Fong , in Hong Kong; Canadian Forces ' events on bases in Afghanistan ; at Trafalgar Square outside Canada House in London , England ; in Mexico, at
2744-607: The singing of " God Save the King " and " O Canada " in English and French followed by a flyover by the Snowbirds . Typically the governor general and prime minister officiate, though the monarch or another member of the royal family may also attend or take the governor general's place. Smaller events are mounted in other parks around the city and in neighbouring Gatineau , Quebec. In provincial capitals, official celebrations are often held at
2800-547: The site of an Indian residential school in British Columbia . If not already cancelled or modified due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada Day festivities were cancelled in various communities in British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Northern Saskatchewan , while indigenous protest group Idle No More announced its intent to organize peaceful rallies in multiple major cities. Some politicians supported
2856-460: The third Monday in February from 2019 onward. New Brunswick began observing Family Day on the third Monday in February in 2018. Not observed elsewhere. Although March break rarely coincides with the Easter weekend, in 2018 Prince Edward Island schools considered merging it with the Easter holiday. Governments in Canada have declared one-off holidays on certain occasions, such as the death of
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#17328523529552912-507: The years—notably with the passage of the Statute of Westminster in 1931—until finally becoming completely sovereign with the passing of the Constitution Act, 1982 , which served to fully patriate the Canadian constitution . Under the federal Holidays Act, Canada Day is observed on July 1, unless that date falls on a Sunday, in which case July 2 is the statutory holiday. Celebratory events will generally still take place on July 1, even though it
2968-469: Was a holdover from the colonial era—an argument given some impetus by the patriation of the Canadian constitution in 1982—and others asserted that an alternative was needed as the term does not translate well into French. Conversely, numerous politicians, journalists, and authors, such as Robertson Davies , decried the change at the time and some continue to maintain that it was illegitimate and an unnecessary break with tradition. Others claimed dominion
3024-481: Was officially renamed as a result of a private member's bill that was passed through the House of Commons on July 9, 1982, two years after its first reading . Only 12 members of parliament were present when the bill was taken up again, 8 fewer than the necessary quorum ; however, according to parliamentary rules, the quorum is enforceable only at the start of a sitting or when a member calls attention to it. The group passed
3080-508: Was passed quickly by the lower chamber but was stalled by the Senate , which returned it to the commons with the recommendation that the holiday be renamed The National Holiday of Canada , an amendment that effectively killed the bill. The Canadian government began in 1958 to orchestrate Dominion Day celebrations. That year, then-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker requested that Secretary of State Ellen Fairclough organize appropriate events, with
3136-403: Was widely misunderstood and conservatively inclined commenters saw the change as part of a much larger attempt by Liberals to "re-brand" or re-define Canadian history. Columnist Andrew Cohen called Canada Day a term of "crushing banality" and criticized it as "a renunciation of the past [and] a misreading of history, laden with political correctness and historical ignorance". The holiday
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