Calls for cancellation: Maritimers weigh in on a movement to drop Canada Day
There are calls to cancel Canada Day since the discovery of 215 Indigenous children buried on the site of a former residential school in British Columbia.
But in Nova Scotia, some think it's not so much about cancelling or changing Canada Day, July 1st should be a day of education and a chance to learn from one another.
A Mi'kmaq and Canadian flag fly side-by-side at half-mast outside the Memebrtou Heritage Centre in Sydney, N.S.
Many people in the First Nations community continue to reflect on the tragic findings on the west coast of Canada late last month.
"I'm glad that it's not a story that was just once and left and is no longer in the news," says Jeff Ward, general manager of Memebrtou Heritage Park.
The discovery of 215 Indigenous children's bodies in Kamloops, B.C. last month hits close to home for Ward, whose mother is a residential school survivor.
He's among a chorus in favour of cancelling Canada Day celebrations, and calls Victoria, B.C.'s decision to do so one that recognizes the seriousness of the situation.
"There is a lot of systemic racism that exists today and I feel this is the start or the beginning of what we call reconcili-action, or part of reconciliation," says Ward.
The mayor of Victoria, B.C. says it's hard to sing and dance and celebrate when so many people are grieving.
"Context changed when those 215 children's bodies were discovered. They are reeling and everybody is reeling. We're all just doing our best to figure out how to move forward,' says Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps.
Across the country, the hashtag #CancelCanadaDay is gaining traction on social media, with rallies planned from coast to coast on July 1.
"It's very hard to feel pride in Canada these days, so yes, I think it's a good idea to just cancel it for this year," says resident Margo Taylor-Ritchie.
But the question is, should Canada Day be permanently pushed off the calendar?
"My respectful advice would be to keep Canada Day. Do not cancel it, but use it as an occasion to reflect on who we are as a country and where we're going together," says Tom Urbaniak, a political science professor at Cape Breton University.
Urbaniak says taking the focus away from the issue at hand could become a real problem.
"This debate, I fear, is distracting from the important focus and work that needs to happen on reconciliation and on ensuring each of the treaties are upheld," he says.
"I know there's a great sense of pride for people to be Canadian, but when you're Indigenous and look at our history, it's hard to see the things that has happened," says Ward.
Urbaniak says since this is the second Canada Day in the pandemic with no mass gatherings and smaller virtual events, it's a chance for people to reflect on how committed we are to reconciliation and where this country is going.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
NEW How Canadians can watch the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest
Europe’s top pop stars are out and about for the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in Malmo, Sweden.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.