Happy Birthday Canada!
While 150 years might not seem that old compared to some countries, it鈥檚 still a great reason to celebrate.
On that note, I remember visiting the Irish Heather pub at its former location in Gastown some years ago with a friend and after our server enthusiastically told us the building was more than 100 years old, my pal replied 鈥� in a British accent 鈥� 鈥淢y elementary school was 400 years old.鈥�
Mic drop.
There鈥檚 also been some discussion about the true date of this country鈥檚 birth, which is why the City of 麻豆传媒映画decided to change the official name of this year鈥檚 celebration from to Canada 150+, as a way to recognize the indigenous peoples who lived on these lands before Confederation.
So to be clear, 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of Canada鈥檚 Confederation, which began with the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, signed July 1, 1867.
And in celebration of Canada 150, Parks Canada is giving away free Discovery passes to its national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas. The passes will also be available at Parks Canada locations and through its partners now until the end of the year. Parks Canada manages 46 national parks, 171 national historic sites, four national marine conservation areas, one national urban park and eight historic canals. Not included with the passes are camping fees and activities within the park that cost extra. Only one pass is needed per vehicle, but it must be visibly displayed. For those not planning an epic Canadian road trip this year, here鈥檚 a list of places, parks and sites a little closer to home. Visit for more information and to order your free pass.
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National Heritage Sites in B.C.
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West Coast fish processing complex, 1894听
Richmond, B.C.
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National Historic Site of Canada
Outstanding large urban park, 1890s听
Vancouver, B.C.
(Entrance to Stanley Park is already free.)
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Early 19th-century Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company post听
Langley, B.C.
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Transportation route to Klondike gold fields听
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First permanent lighthouse on Canada鈥檚 West Coast, 1859-1960听
Colwood, B.C.
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Late 19th-century fort to defend Victoria-Esquimalt fortifications听
Colwood, B.C.
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Fur trade post founded by Simon Fraser, 1806; Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company听
Fort St. James, B.C.
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18th-century Gitwangak hilltop fortification surrounding five longhouses
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Traversed by Palliser expedition, 1857-1860, adopted by Canadian Pacific Railway as their new route through the Rockies, 1881听
Yoho National Park, B.C.
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Site of North West Company post, 1807-1812听
Invermere, B.C.
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Remains of Ha茂da longhouses and totem poles听
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site
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Canadian Pacific Railway route through Selkirk Mountains听
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Early rustic tea house in Yoho National Park, B.C.
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City of Vancouver
Meanwhile, the City of 麻豆传媒映画has a lot planned for Canada 150+. From June 21 through July 1, 2017, visitors and locals will enjoy 11 days of free outdoor events in the city鈥檚 beautiful inner harbour. The city鈥檚 celebration falls under an umbrella called Strengthening our Relationships, a tribute to Vancouver鈥檚 multicultural artistry and diverse food and beverage scene, all culminating with a spectacular firework display on Canada Day, July 1.
Some of the highlights of this city鈥檚 Canada 150+ celebrations include a gathering of canoes in a city park, a 10-day festival downtown in July and a walk for reconciliation in September. More events will be announced as the year progresses and we鈥檒l keep you updated here.
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Canada Place Events
Welcoming close to one million people each year, Canada Place hosts the largest Canada Day celebration outside of Ottawa and 2017 marks the 30th anniversary of the event, so you know it鈥檚 going to be epic. Many of the much-loved elements of past Canada Day celebrations will be in place for an extended three-day celebration, July 1 to 3, including the Canadian Forces Zone, citizenship ceremony, Youth Zone, food trucks and a fireworks show, with added highlights for 2017. More information: .
Other significant dates at Canada Place:
June 17: National Aboriginal Celebration
June: C茅l茅bration de la Francophonie
July 1 to 3: Canada Day at Canada Place
July and August听2017: Canada Place Summer Series
Edible Canada
It鈥檚 safe to assume that with a name like Edible Canada, the team there would have put some thought into Canada 150 鈥� and boy did it ever.
In celebration of Canada, the nation's largest culinary tourism company will lead a week-long adventure called "A Once in a Lifetime Trip Across the Top of Canada." The tour wines, dines and wows guests with stops in Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit and St. John's, Newfoundland, with stunning meals at each stop crafted by some of the country's most accomplished and celebrated chefs. The dates for the trip are Jun 16 to 23. Edible Canada is based on Granville Island.
For more information visit
@sthomas10
