With the political distintegration of Canada periodically appearing a very real possibility, Canada Day has become an occasion for those in favor of national unity to promote their cause.
July 1 each year is the Canadian national holiday once referred to as Dominion Day, and now called Canada Day. Except that in Newfoundland & Labrador it’s also Memorial Day, and in Quebec it’s also Moving Day. And, according to Wikipedia, among Chinese-Canadians it’s also referred to as Humiliation Day, in commemoration of a reviled head-tax that was in effect from July 1, 1923, until as recently as 1947.
You can get money from the government to assist you in celebrating, though in an effort to be all things to all people, the money doesn’t actually have to be for Canada Day. You can also use it to celebrate National Aboriginal Day (June 21), St. John the Baptist Day (June 24), or Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27), according to your preference.
And, if all this forced jolity gets too much for you, you can always go to Quebec, where you’ll find plenty of new friends only too happy to join you in ignoring Canada Day altogether.
À bientôt, mes amis!