Canada Day – Coming soon to a more convenient day near you?
Posted by Joscelyn on June 30th, 2008
First of all, I’m not even technically Canadian. I’ve lived here since I was three and am a Permanent Resident/Legal Alien/Landed Immigrant. The shopping might be far superior south of the border and they have Trader Joe’s and 99% of my family but Canada is my home and, in my opinon, a far superior place to live. But the biggest way in which the U.S. has Canada beat is in the celebration of July 4th. Independence Day is serious stuff in the States. Everyone has traditions and plans and they do it up right. BBQ, red, blue and white, singing the national anthem, fireworks, family and picnics. It FEELS like a different day, like a special day. And it is.
In Canada, we have Canada Day (try saying it 5 times fast. Now try after a few drinks) on July 1st. We have fireworks. And there are parades and concerts and lots of people do fun stuff. But everyone doesn’t. To most people, it’s a day off work and those darn kids set off firecrakers at night. I grew up in Ottawa which is a great place to be on the 1st and I recommend it to anyone who has yet to experience it. Most of downtown is closed to traffic (something Toronto might consider) and the whole city seems come together. When I was a kid, we used to bike around all day, visiting the various parks with activities such as rope climbing, face painting, craft making and much more. They have educational booths set up and cultural experiences and it’s hot and it’s sticky and crowded and fantastic. At night, we’d grab blankets and drive out to the river, park a million miles away (perhaps we should have just walked from the start? Gas was cheaper back then), trudge in and watch the fireworks.
When I was a teenager, Canada Day meant gathering with my friends at Major’s Hill Park, drinking (sorry, Mom) and generally having a good time. The bars were packed, the buses were free after 10 p.m. (another something Toronto might consider) and it was awesome.
Why am I regailing you of tales from my youth? Because Canada Day falls on a Tuesday this year and some people think it would be a great idea to make it a floating holiday, like Victoria Day (which is always the third Monday of May, so at least it’s consistent). This would mean that we would celebrate Canada Day on the Monday or Friday (depending on which was closer to the day) instead of on the 1st. To this I say “WHAT!?” How is that patriotic? On Breakfast Television this morning I was shocked to hear that Kevin Frankish was in favour of this, trying to sell it. I’ve always liked Kevin but was less than impressed with him and all the moronic viewers who wrote or called in to support him. Just imagine: every year we’d have to CHECK when Canada Day was.
Yes, it is annoying to have to work one day then have one day off but it’s CANADA DAY for chrissakes. It’s July 1st. We are supposed to be celebrating the day that marks the start of this country as we enjoy it today. It’s about the DAY not the long weekend. The reason I brought up the States in this post is that they would NEVER consider making the 4th a “floating holiday.” Why is that? Why the difference? Is it because the U.S. has been around longer? Because they have more people? Regardless of the reason, it’s a fact: July 4th is a bigger deal than the 1st and that is sad.
To be fair, since I’ve lived in Toronto I haven’t taken part in “official” Canada Day festivities (except fireworks at Ashbrides Bay a few times) but we go to my boyfriend’s cousin’s for a BBQ and it’s become tradition. When I have kids, I hope to instill in them some pride in the day and start traditions they will remember, as my parents did.
So get out there tomorrow and celebrate Canada and how lucky you are to live here. Celebrate for all the people in the world who don’t enjoy a free and independent country, who don’t even know what that feels like.
Happy Canada Day!
Posted to Life outside PR, Media, Ranting
June 30th, 2008 » 7:16 pm
[...] Canada Day – Coming soon to a more convenient day near you? – When I was a teenager, Canada Day meant gathering with my friends at Major’s Hill Park, drinking (sorry, Mom) and generally having a good time. The bars were packed, the buses were free after 10 pm (another something Toronto might … [...]
June 30th, 2008 » 9:52 pm
Oh no! Not Kevin Frankish! Next thing you know, John Moore is going to disagree with you, Jos! Then what?
June 30th, 2008 » 10:49 pm
Is the “fake long weekend” idea just a Toronto thing? I have never seen anyone suggest Canada Day be moved anywhere else…
July 1st, 2008 » 1:08 pm
Well, I’m in the same boat as you – in a manner of speaking. I too was born South of the Border and have called Canada ‘home’ from the point of view a Permanent Resident/Legal Alien/Landed Immigrant.
I’m surprised that Frankish would suggest something like that. The only thought as to why he would say that is because he wants a long weekend like many folks do. Thing is, it’s not as if his job is that stressful to begin with. (Then again, look at who he has to put up with every morning…)
Personal feelings aside, Canada Day is the NATIONAL Holiday. It marks the birthday of Canada and should stay on July 1st. Imagine moving Independence Day from the 4th to whatever day makes for a long weekend. Would never happen.
Holidays and mass celebrations such as Easter and WrestleMania (hey, to some, it’s a holiday) move around but national holidays that celebrate a country’s history should stay where they are.
From one Yankee to another: Happy 4th to you, Joscelyn.
July 1st, 2008 » 8:08 pm
Zoey – Happy 4th to you too!
Craig – it’s possible but I’m not sure…
Chris – not to worry. When that happens, you’ll know; the world will have come to an end.
July 3rd, 2008 » 5:58 pm
I think that the idea of a floating Canada Day is just plain silly.
I look at it this way: Canada Day is about Canada’s birthday -not a day off work or a long weekend. Every year, your birthday doesn’t change, same date all the time. Why should Canada’s birthday be any different?
Sure you could make a case that almost all other holidays are ‘floating’ (Victoria Day, Heritage Day, Labour Day etc.) but last time I checked, those weren’t anyone’s birthday – they really are just glorified long weekends.
I believe I even heard a rumor that the Provincial Government created the February Family Day holiday in part because it’s such a long work stretch between New Years and Heritage Day – although I admit, I can’t substantiate that at this exact moment. (Will go looking for proof though)
So perhaps some holidays really are just there for the long weekend…but I’d like to see Kevin Frankish propose we make Christmas a floating holiday too. Poor guy, I really quite love him.
-Kerri
July 6th, 2008 » 5:20 pm
Poor Canada. Why don’t more people like showing how much they love to live in you?
I had the pleasure of experiencing a few Canada Days in Ottawa. The festivities are really something. Unfortunately, I worked in a popular coffee shop in the market that became even more popular on July 1. But, my boss let us go see the fireworks one at a time at 10 p.m. Lucky us!
July 8th, 2008 » 9:11 am
That’s like me deciding I want my birthday on a Friday every year. You can’t just change a Birthday! Note the route of the word BIRTH-DAY, it’s not a flexible thing. I am most definitely not in favour of this and completely agree that Toronto needs to step up the Canada Day festivities.