British Columbians celebrated Canada Day this year in a variety of ways, including a street parade, after pandemic restrictions were lifted.
For many newcomers to the province, it was their first July 1 here. Others celebrated a country they had called home for decades.
It was the first Canada Day in the province in more than two years without major pandemic-related restrictions on large gatherings.
But the national holiday, observed every year on July 1, has also been reimagined in recent years to recognize the indigenous people whose land was taken to form the country.
For some, Canada Day means celebrating a country they’ve called home for years. For others, the celebration is entirely new. Baneet Braich has more on British Columbia immigrants marking their first Canada Day. pic.twitter.com/9EIbJpQBc3
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The statutory holiday remains for many a painful reminder of the country’s colonial history and its continuing effects. Last year, some Canada Day organizers toned down their celebrations – after more than 200 potential unmarked graves were believed to have been identified at a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia
For many immigrants and refugees, especially those fleeing war, the country also represents a new home and an opportunity to live in peace.
“My dream of ten years”
One of them is Olga Kravchenko. She came to British Columbia from Ukraine two weeks ago with her family of 10 and said she wants to stay here permanently.
Her Canadian sister-in-law Alina Nedbailo, who has been waiting a decade to reunite her family, said in an interview that it was “like a dream” to finally have her relatives here, safe.
“It’s been a dream of mine for ten years,” she said, “but I knew I couldn’t do it alone.
“I’m so grateful to all the people who just pulled together to make this happen.
In a statement Friday, British Columbia Premier John Horgan said Canada Day is a chance to “reflect” on the country’s past and future and to “build a better Canada that works for everyone,” he said.
“At its best, Canada is a place where we care about our neighbours,” added Horgan, “no matter who they are or how much money they have in their pocket.”
Alina Nedbailo is pictured with her relative Olga Kravchenko. The couple recently fled Ukraine and arrived in North Vancouver 2 weeks ago. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Alina Nedbailo prepares watermelon with her niece Zlata, 9. The family wants to settle permanently in Canada. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Seniors celebrate Canada Day at the PICS Society, a seniors’ support center in Surrey. Saroj Sood, seen cutting the cake, said she has never regretted coming to Canada decades ago. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Some of the seniors at the PICS Society have celebrated Canada Day over 50 times. Sud said she got ‘what she dreamed of’ in British Columbia (Ben Nelms/CBC) At Canada Place in downtown Vancouver, the mood was festive on a sunny day in British Columbia’s largest city. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Many people came to Canada Place with street vendors and Maple Leaf merchandise on display. (Ben Nelms/CBC) July 1, 2022 is the date Canada marks the 155th anniversary of confederation. (Ben Nelms/CBC) It was the first Canada Day without major pandemic-related gathering restrictions in British Columbia in more than two years. (Ben Nelms/CBC) For some, Canada Day is a painful reminder of the continuing impact of Canada’s formation through colonization and the genocide of Indigenous peoples. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
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