July 1, 2012 – Every year on July 1st, Canadians celebrate Canada Day. On that date in 1867, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada were united into a single country, called simply Canada. This union was a result of the Constitution Act which granted Canada a great deal of independence from England. Over the course of a century Canada gradually shed its dependence on the United Kingdom. Canada did not become a fully independent nation until 1982, the same year that Canada Day became our official holiday.
Endorsed by all provinces, except Quebec, Part I of the Act is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which outlines the civil rights and liberties of every citizen in Canada, such as freedom of expression, of religion, and of mobility. Part II addresses the rights of Canada’s Aboriginal people. In the UK, the parallel act passed simultaneously by the British Parliament was called the Canada Act 1982. As a bilingual act of parliament, the Canada Act 1982 has the distinction of being the only legislation in French that has been passed by an English or British Parliament since Norman French ceased to be the language of government in England.
The reality is Canada Day took decades to catch on due to the fact that many early Canadians identified themselves as British. It was not until Canada’s “golden” 50 year anniversary in 1917, that an official celebration was recorded. The next official celebration of Canada Day did not occur until ten years later, in 1927. The government’s first recognition of the holiday occurred in 1958 with a trooping of the color on Parliament Hill. The first country-wide celebration was in 1967, Canada’s 100th anniversary. From that time forward, Canada Day has evolved to become the most popular summer holiday in the nation and an equally widespread commercial holiday.
Today, Canada Day is celebrated with fireworks, concerts, cookouts, and sports games across the country, sea to sea to sea. Canada’s capital, Ottawa, Ontario, hosts the most holiday activities including fireworks that are launched from Parliament Hill to conclude a day of patriotic festivities. Every other major city across the country supports and sponsors countless events, activities, and festivals throughout city streets, parks, and museums.
It is no coincidence that Canada Day is celebrated during one of the warmest months of the year. Much of the country will be celebrating Canada Day under sunny skies and warm temperatures, a classic summer day in Canada. Unfortunately not so much in the west on this statutory holiday. Many of will be bundling up and finding our umbrellas as we celebrate, the good news is there will not likely be fire bans in place. To find good hot weather today we know where we have to go, yes it is BC, and I do not mean British Columbia.
Sunday July 1st, 2012 Canada Day Weather Forecast
Surrey, BC 18C-12C; Cloudy
Loreto, BC 33C – 26C; Sunny
Kamloops, BC 23C -15C; Showers La Paz, BC 36C – 20C; Sunny
Prince George,BC 18C -8C; Showers Cabo San Lucas, BC 32C -23C; Sunny
Edmonton, AB 21C -13C; Showers Todos Santos, BC 28C -21C; Sunny
Calgary, AB 21C -11C; Showers Mulege, BC 37C -28C; Sunny
I have included a short collection of Videos you may enjoy as we celebrate Canada Day.
A Song for Canada Day
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGHMw_67fOk&feature=plcp
Canadian Humour
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPHnTSmvBAw&list=UUJEj2j1iiOtCxTUtstzInmQ&index=8&feature=plcp
Who are Canadians?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV_041oYDjg&feature=plcp
July 1st, 2012 is also very important in Mexico as they will be electing a new President. The front runner is appears to be Enrique Pena Nieto with the PRI, the other candidates Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (PRD) and Josefina Vazquez Mota (PAN) are not expected to win.
