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
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
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.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.