Canada Day

[Kindred]

How do Canadians celebrate and mark Canada Day? What are our traditions? I have a few, raise the price of gas by at least 10 cents a litre. This is Canada's favourite tradition . Raise the price in campgrounds everywhere.

How do Canadians celebrate Canada Day? By gouging consumers ! $4.70 to $4.80 a gallon in BC this weekend compared to $2.95 as a high for the year in the US I think we will all be going south for our vacations again, while Canadian business suffers - cant keep blaming the slump in tourism in Canada on 9/11 IMO

Pity all that money being wasted on commercials trying to get Canadians to travel and vacation in their own country -

[Leafless]

How do Canadians celebrate and mark Canada Day? What are our traditions?

Actually Canada Day means little to me as far as tradition goes.

Previously since 1985 Canada Day was Dominion Day.

Dominion Day used to celebrate the anniversary of the Dominion of Canada when the provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick formed under one Dominion under the name of Canada.

I like Dominion Day rather than Canada Day as it did reflect our history and did traditionally reflect annually ( July 1st ) Canada's initial formation as a Dominion.

Dominion Day, (Canada Day) at our house as usually been an uneventful quiet day with perhaps a barbeque and maybe a few pints and a toast with family members in memory of the creation of our country.

[Kindred]

For us its always been camping at the lake, a get together, this year it will cost close to $150 just in gas per vehicle never mind camping fees. Several family members arent going this year.

[KrustyKidd]

I have a few, raise the price of gas by at least 10 cents a litre. This is Canada's favourite tradition . Raise the price in campgrounds everywhere.

I like Dominion Day rather than Canada Day as it did reflect our history and did traditionally reflect annually ( July 1st ) Canada's initial formation as a Dominion.

Dominion Day, (Canada Day) at our house as usually been an uneventful quiet day with perhaps a barbeque and maybe a few pints and a toast with family members in memory of the creation of our country.

I look at it from three points, one is the celebration of our country as we do owe our predacessors so much. They carved a sucessful democratic country out of some of the harshest conditions on the planet and, at a time when the Great Powers were trying to grab whatever piece they could. Second, it's a celebration of summer, kicking it off formaly with a party, fireworks and just being together as a country. Third, it's a recognition that we are. All of us are under one roof no matter where we live in our country or abroad. The freedom this holiday gives us is so diverse that not even celebrating it, just kicking back and doing the above barbeque is a glorious celebration. Myself, I'm away from my home this year working out in Alberta but even still, I pause on this day to see the diversity and strength of our past and the hard work and progressiveness of our future, and, go out for a fair share of brews to boot.

[newbie]

How about just being bloody glad you live in this country.

[theloniusfleabag]

Happy Canada Day everyone.

How about just being bloody glad you live in this country.

Yes I am.

A little story that happened recently...

My wife's sister and her husband just moved here from North Carolina, (she is Canadian, he is American) and he is applying for citizenship. I escorted them downtown so he could get fingerprinted (the prints had to go to the US to prove he isn't a fugitive) and we saw a somewhat funny, but heartening sight. Passing the YWCA in downtown Calgary, there were a couple of school buses loading kids and adults up from a recreational program. What I noticed immediately was several 'muslim' (I thought perhaps Palestinian) women with headscarves on, getting on the bus, toting gym bags and hockey sticks! I turned to the in-laws and said, "Only in Canada!"

Personally, I feel 'truly Canadian' (if there is such a thing) as I was born and raised in 'small town Saskatchewan', played hockey outdoors for most of my youth, drink beer, love fishing, canoeing, skiing, drinking beer, working hard for my own business, drinking beer...you get the picture. When I saw that women in a headscarf carrying a hockeystick, I thought to myself "Welcome to our country...how's that for breaking down barriers and stereotypes...I'll bet she can whack shins with the best of them!".

[Canuck E Stan]

Happy Canada Day

Oh Canada

[BubberMiley]

What I noticed immediately was several 'muslim' (I thought perhaps Palestinian) women with headscarves on, getting on the bus, toting gym bags and hockey sticks! I turned to the in-laws and said, "Only in Canada!"

Still, I must admit I'd feel a cold shiver down my spine if I saw a muslim with a gym bag get on my bus.

[Argus]

How do Canadians celebrate and mark Canada Day? What are our traditions?

I have never celebrated "Canada Day". For me, it evokes resentment towards Francophones and intense dislike of Liberals. It is a bland little nothing of a holiday which is representative of the level of dishonesty, ignorance and hostility towards Anglophones and Canada's history and traditions which are still prevelant among Liberals and the media.

It is a time when I once again remember why I wish Quebec would seperate, or be swallowed up by a black hole or something.

The Death of Dominion Day

[Argus]

How do Canadians celebrate and mark Canada Day? What are our traditions?

Actually Canada Day means little to me as far as tradition goes.

Previously since 1985 Canada Day was Dominion Day.

Dominion Day used to celebrate the anniversary of the Dominion of Canada when the provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick formed under one Dominion under the name of Canada.

I like Dominion Day rather than Canada Day as it did reflect our history and did traditionally reflect annually ( July 1st ) Canada's initial formation as a Dominion.

Yes, but the liberals have worked to destroy everything about Canada's history - while at the same time doing everything they can to memorialize Quebec's. Canada's flag, it's national anthem and its national holiday were all removed for fear of giving offense to Quebec. It's royal symbols were denigrated and removed, its status as a dominion downplayed and rejected, its history ignored, its traditions dismissed and replaced. In that sense, the very blandness of the term "Canada Day" is symbolic of the whey faced dullards, cretins and venal, self serving fools who have come to represent our elites over the last half century.

I see these idiots with their faces painted wrapped in flags, their eyes wide and blank, as victims of two decades of propaganda which have turned a quiet national holiday into an loud, obnoxious, American style exercise in flag-waving and national arrogance. Twenty five years ago such people would have been looked at as though they'd just dropped off the moon. Canadians would have been embarrassed by such crude, American style crowing about a simple holiday. But I guess doing their best to Americanize English Canada was part of the plan to downplay our British heritage. And then, of course, they take up anti-Americanism! How symbolic of the dislike liberals have for our society.

[gerryhatrick]

Yes, but the liberals have worked to destroy everything about Canada's history

What about present day Conservatives? They'd like to rename it "USA day"!!

[Argus]

Yes, but the liberals have worked to destroy everything about Canada's history

What about present day Conservatives? They'd like to rename it "USA day"!!

This is the banality of what passes for liberal "thought". Everything which is not like them is bad, and everything which is bad is American.

If anyone has done their best to turn Canada into the United States its the Liberals and liberals. Think about a Canada which was a Dominion, with the Queens Mail, with government Ministries and old British traditions and institutions. All of them destroyed in favour of a bland sort of inoffensive "modern" utilitarian style nomenclature which defies any identifiable national origin - and thus is presumably less offensive to Quebecers and immigrants.

The Senate debate over Dominion Day versus Canada Day certainly reflected this uncertainty. Reading the Hansard account you cannot help but detect behind the appeals to history and tradition a confused awareness of a much larger loss, namely English Canada's lack of a "national" sensibility on par with that of French Canada's. Even by 1982, English Canada was, to borrow political scientist Philip Resnick's phrase, "the nation that dares not speak its name."

At least one senator seemed to understand that the loss of "dominion" was the death knell of a particular cultural inheritance.

Liberal senator Ann Bell gave the last speech in the debate. The sadness in her acknowledgement that the "Dominion Day" reflected a "dying" tradition is almost palpable. She worried that Canada would be poorer without this tradition, at least spiritually. "We have a political concept, we have a geographical concept, but I am afraid we are losing the spiritual concept of Canada.

[Argus]

Happy Canada Day

Oh Canada

In Days of yore,

From Britain's shore,

Wolfe the dauntless hero came

And planted firm Britannia's flag

On Canada's fair domain.

Here may it wave,

Our boast, our pride,

And join in love together,

The thistle, shamrock, rose entwined,

The Maple Leaf Forever

.

[CHORUS]

.

The Maple Leaf

Our Emblem Dear,

The Maple Leaf Forever.

God save our Queen and heaven bless,

The Maple Leaf Forever.

At Queenston Heights and Lundy's Lane

Our brave fathers side by side

For freedom's home and loved ones dear,

Firmly stood and nobly died.

And so their rights which they maintained,

We swear to yield them never.

Our watchword ever more shall be:

The Maple Leaf Forever!

.

[CHORUS]

.

Our fair Dominion now extends

From Cape Race to Nootka Sound

May peace forever be our lot

And plenty a store abound

And may those ties of love be ours

Which discord cannot sever

And flourish green for freedom's home

The Maple Leaf Forever.

.

[CHORUS]

[Leafless]

How do Canadians celebrate and mark Canada Day? What are our traditions?

Actually Canada Day means little to me as far as tradition goes.

Previously since 1985 Canada Day was Dominion Day.

Dominion Day used to celebrate the anniversary of the Dominion of Canada when the provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick formed under one Dominion under the name of Canada.

I like Dominion Day rather than Canada Day as it did reflect our history and did traditionally reflect annually ( July 1st ) Canada's initial formation as a Dominion.

Yes, but the liberals have worked to destroy everything about Canada's history - while at the same time doing everything they can to memorialize Quebec's. Canada's flag, it's national anthem and its national holiday were all removed for fear of giving offense to Quebec. It's royal symbols were denigrated and removed, its status as a dominion downplayed and rejected, its history ignored, its traditions dismissed and replaced. In that sense, the very blandness of the term "Canada Day" is symbolic of the whey faced dullards, cretins and venal, self serving fools who have come to represent our elites over the last half century.

I see these idiots with their faces painted wrapped in flags, their eyes wide and blank, as victims of two decades of propaganda which have turned a quiet national holiday into an loud, obnoxious, American style exercise in flag-waving and national arrogance. Twenty five years ago such people would have been looked at as though they'd just dropped off the moon. Canadians would have been embarrassed by such crude, American style crowing about a simple holiday. But I guess doing their best to Americanize English Canada was part of the plan to downplay our British heritage. And then, of course, they take up anti-Americanism! How symbolic of the dislike liberals have for our society.

Of course your correct with your concensus concerning the Liberals doing everthing in their power to destroy the English fact and Frenchify the character of Canada and to this day I don't know how Canadians could not see through this totally disgusting downplay of English Canada and the history of Canada and for Canadians simply to totally ignore the Liberals with their borderline traitorous behavior as a federal government.

But the 'PARTY TIME' excercise began in Quebec.

For instance face painting with the 'fleur de lis' began years ago with Quebec's celebration of St.Jean Baptiste Day.

That party atmosphere was from all reports relevant in Gatineau, Quebec this year where St.Jean Baptiste Day celebration lasted not one day but was a four day celebration.

It was the Liberals who adopted the 'carnival excuse' for Canada Day with maple leaf face painting, loud music with not many people even knowing what they were celebrating outside of like last year screaming to the best of my memory Canada, Canada coaxed on by Mr. Martin ay one point.

But I disagree with your thoughts on Americanizing Canada since this IS the definite reality and effects of two countries, one being much larger and much more productive in many areas with it's culture being rubbed off on Canada.

As far as I'm concerned it's better the U.S. than any other country on this planet.

[rover1]

It is gratifying to find some of these- I had thought- long lost sentiments still around. Maybe there is hope for us yet!

[newbie]

How do Canadians celebrate and mark Canada Day? What are our traditions?

Actually Canada Day means little to me as far as tradition goes.

Previously since 1985 Canada Day was Dominion Day.

Dominion Day used to celebrate the anniversary of the Dominion of Canada when the provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick formed under one Dominion under the name of Canada.

I like Dominion Day rather than Canada Day as it did reflect our history and did traditionally reflect annually ( July 1st ) Canada's initial formation as a Dominion.

Yes, but the liberals have worked to destroy everything about Canada's history - while at the same time doing everything they can to memorialize Quebec's. Canada's flag, it's national anthem and its national holiday were all removed for fear of giving offense to Quebec. It's royal symbols were denigrated and removed, its status as a dominion downplayed and rejected, its history ignored, its traditions dismissed and replaced. In that sense, the very blandness of the term "Canada Day" is symbolic of the whey faced dullards, cretins and venal, self serving fools who have come to represent our elites over the last half century.

I see these idiots with their faces painted wrapped in flags, their eyes wide and blank, as victims of two decades of propaganda which have turned a quiet national holiday into an loud, obnoxious, American style exercise in flag-waving and national arrogance. Twenty five years ago such people would have been looked at as though they'd just dropped off the moon. Canadians would have been embarrassed by such crude, American style crowing about a simple holiday. But I guess doing their best to Americanize English Canada was part of the plan to downplay our British heritage. And then, of course, they take up anti-Americanism! How symbolic of the dislike liberals have for our society.

God, what a whiner! People like you are the only bane of our Canada Day celebration. People I see are having fun and delighting in this holiday. This is 2006, not 1966. We've had our flag for many years now, our very own flag, our very own charter, and I personally would never live anywhere else.

[betsy]

Happy Canada Day!!!!

[Argus]

Yes, but the liberals have worked to destroy everything about Canada's history - while at the same time doing everything they can to memorialize Quebec's. Canada's flag, it's national anthem and its national holiday were all removed for fear of giving offense to Quebec. It's royal symbols were denigrated and removed, its status as a dominion downplayed and rejected, its history ignored, its traditions dismissed and replaced. In that sense, the very blandness of the term "Canada Day" is symbolic of the whey faced dullards, cretins and venal, self serving fools who have come to represent our elites over the last half century.

I see these idiots with their faces painted wrapped in flags, their eyes wide and blank, as victims of two decades of propaganda which have turned a quiet national holiday into an loud, obnoxious, American style exercise in flag-waving and national arrogance. Twenty five years ago such people would have been looked at as though they'd just dropped off the moon. Canadians would have been embarrassed by such crude, American style crowing about a simple holiday. But I guess doing their best to Americanize English Canada was part of the plan to downplay our British heritage. And then, of course, they take up anti-Americanism! How symbolic of the dislike liberals have for our society.

God, what a whiner! People like you are the only bane of our Canada Day celebration. People I see are having fun and delighting in this holiday. This is 2006, not 1966.

Like I said, idiots, weak minds and children. "Canada Day" became a big, glitzy, expensive exercise in nationalism after the last referendum. It was a grand exercise in convincing Quebecois that Canada must be a great place - because, after all, we hold a huge celebration every year! Before the referendum the government wouldn't even pay for lights on parliament hill to mark the day. Afterwards, no expense was spared in turning into a northern version of the Fourth of July. The weak minds were easily taken in.

So paint your face and wear maple leaf clothes, fly the biggest flag you got and set off explosives, sing the national anthem and tell everyone how great your country is. And then tell everyone how proud you are that you're not American.

[newbie]

How sad, so much anger on our Nation's holiday. Well, at least I'm not afraid to say "I love Canada."

[Argus]

How sad, so much anger on our Nation's holiday. Well, at least I'm not afraid to say "I love Canada."

Real Canadians don't engage in silly, phony sentiment. They have a quiet dignity which scorns obnoxious flag waving and horn blowing nationalism.

We used to say that sort of thing was for the yanks.

[newbie]

How sad, so much anger on our Nation's holiday. Well, at least I'm not afraid to say "I love Canada."

Real Canadians don't engage in silly, phony sentiment. They have a quiet dignity which scorns obnoxious flag waving and horn blowing nationalism.

We used to say that sort of thing was for the yanks.

Well, most folks were busy in communities across this great land celebrating our country. And yes, there were fireworks and some silly phony sentiment as you like to call it. I had a great day with my grandsons, faces painted and all. That's what "real" Canadians do on Canada Day Argus - ought to try it sometime.

[sharkman]

Uh, not all Canadians feel the need to have a burst of nationalism on this day. I'm a Canadian 365 days a year, and I don't need to get all national on this day. Actually I get emotional on Remembrance Day, what with all who gave their lives for us so we could live in peace and freedom, that's more of a Canada day to me.

[newbie]

It is gratifying to find some of these- I had thought- long lost sentiments still around. Maybe there is hope for us yet!

Until you read Argus' posts: the grinch out to steal the celebration of Canada.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear sharkman,

Uh, not all Canadians feel the need to have a burst of nationalism on this day. I'm a Canadian 365 days a year, and I don't need to get all national on this day. Actually I get emotional on Remembrance Day, what with all who gave their lives for us so we could live in peace and freedom, that's more of a Canada day to me

Well said. I am inclined to agree with you, and my celebrations were limited to typing 'Happy Canada Day everyone', and then relating a personal anecdote. And I drank some beer. Now I am going fishing.

[geoffrey]

Patriotism is for suckers...