More Canada Day festivities cancelled in B.C. following residential school discovery
With Canada Day just over a week away, two more B.C. municipalities have opted to cancel their festivities following the discovery of more than 200 children's remains at a former residential school.
On Friday, Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki issued a statement saying the city was "not able to offer Canada Day activities that we consider appropriate," especially with COVID-19 measures still in place.
"Out of respect for Indigenous communities across Canada who are grieving, it is important to Penticton city council that this year’s Canada Day activities honour the history, culture and traditions of Indigenous people," he said, saying "time constraints" were also an issue.
"We encourage you to spend the day with your family and take time to reflect on Canada’s history and consider what we can each do to work towards an inclusive community."
And on Monday, the District of Port Hardy made a similar announcement.
"In light of the findings from Tk'emlúps te Secwepemc, Kamloops Residential School the District Council has decided not to hold an official Canada Day this year," the northwestern Vancouver Island municipality wrote.
"We encourage you to reflect and remember in your own way with your loved ones."
They aren't the first municipalities in the province to change their Canada Day plans.
A couple weeks ago, Victoria announced it's no longer hosting the virtual Canada Day celebration it had planned. Instead, it'll create a broadcast later in the summer with guidance from local Lekwungen people.
The city says the broadcast will be released later in the summer and will consider "what it means to be Canadian."
"Context changed when those 215 children's bodies were discovered and they (the Lekwungen Nation) are reeling and everybody is reeling," said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps earlier this month. "We're all just doing our best to figure out how to move forward."
But following that announcement, B.C.'s premier suggested other Canada Day festivities should still go ahead.
"The intent, I can understand," Premier John Horgan said the day after Victoria's decision. "The 21st of June, National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, would be a more appropriate time for us to collectively focus on how we can redress the wrongs of the past, and build a brighter future together."
In Kelowna, Canada Day festivities have also been cancelled but organizers suggest the decision is primarily because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Festivals Kelowna posted a notice last Thursday saying its event, which typically attracts 65,000 guests, "requires a longer lead time than is currently available to us."
"After such a tough year for our local restaurants, breweries, and wineries, we believe Canada Day presents a great opportunity for them to shine and welcome guests to their venues," Festivals Kelowna organizers said.
The earliest more restrictions will be lifted in B.C. is July 1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.