Its time to celebrate Canada Day

Canadians will celebrate Canada Day this weekend. Across the country, Canadians will move to the outdoors in droves to enjoy this first summer long weekend. Traditional Canada parades, barbecues, picnics and fireworks will mark the day for most Canadians.
Canada became an independent nation in 1867 under Queen Victoria and for a long time was known as the Dominion of Canada having only four provinces, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Today we have ten provinces and three territories.
In the Times poll this week on the web, 33% of our readers have told us that Canada Day is unimportant, while 28% have said it is somewhat important. The
Canada is has the second largest landmass of any country in the world. We are well developed with excellent working conditions, an outstanding education system, a very high standard of living and our health care system is ranked as one of the best in the world. In fact the United Nations has consistently ranked Canada as the best place to live.
We have lots of things to be proud of. “The Charter of Rights and Freedoms” protect our rights. We have much to celebrate this weekend. Of the G7 nations, Canada has the best overall quality of life. We are one of the safest nations to live in and have the most fairly administered judicial system.
Canada is truly a nation blessed.
Our nation will be 145 years old on Sunday. The biggest celebration for Canada Day will be on Parliament Hill.
Thursday, the merchants downtown will be hosting their annual mall days.
Friday the Fort Frances Public Library will be hosting the “Teddy Bear’s Picnic”
In Fort Frances, the weekend celebration will unfold beginning with a social at the Rendezvous raising funds for Riverside Foundation.
A beach volleyball tournament is planned for all weekend. For the first time, Fort Frances will host the Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Festival all day July 1st at the Sorting gap Marina. There will be lots of games and activities throughout the day for kids including a “decorate your bike, stroller, to enter in the July 1st Parade which will get underway at 5:00 Sunday afternoon from the Shevlin Wood Yard.
Following the parade, the annual Bathtub Derby Boat races will get underway at Pither’s Point Park. Just after sundown in the twilight of the evening, the roar of fireworks will be enjoyed at the Point Park.
Monday evening the “International Tug of War” will take place at the Sorting Gap beginning at 5:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “Pulling for Peace” and both Fort Frances and International Falls will be competing for the trophy.
Across the district, we will all find some way of celebrating Canada Day. Volunteers have created a fun mixture of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Whether you are a participant or spectator, there is an activity for you. There is a reason to celebrate Canada’s birthday with friends and relatives. We have much to be proud of.
–Jim Cumming,
Publisher
jcumming@fortfrances.com