Time to celebrate! This year marks Canada’s 150th anniversary. In honour of the big day, we rounded up local festivities that are accessible to everyone! Pick your favourites, grab some birthday cake, and join right in!
Whether you’re celebrating in BC-style or interested in taking part in national events (most of which you can do at home!), there is something for everyone!
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Across the Province – Disability Pride
Disability Pride is a project that embraces the Inclusion Movement during Canada’s 150th. If you have a disability and participate in an existing celebration, march or demonstration during Canada’s birthday year Disability Pride will fund it! They have $75,000 in grants to give away!
Northern BC – Access North
In addition to Canada giving away free passes to ALL national parks, our Access North Initiative is helping make parks more accessible for everyone! Explore our Accessible BC Virtual Tours page to see what parks look like in your neighbourhood and follow Access_North on Twitter for up-to-date info! Also keep an eye out for a new website, coming soon!
Vancouver – Canada Place
Canada Place will be home to the largest Canada Day celebration outside of Ottawa and will host numerous events throughout 2017. Currently, they are calling for performers of all types to take part in the various celebrations!
Duncan – Carving a Connection in Cowichan
Throughout 2017, carvers will be creating a commemorative totem pole in honour of Canada’s 150th and the country’s rich Indigenious heritage. People can watch the carvers in action and view the totem’s progress in Duncan’s downtown core.
Fort St. John – 150 Mosaic
The city of Fort St. John will feature one of the many murals being created across the country, and together, will form one large mural of a train (with unique cargo) crossing Canada.
ACROSS CANADA
On This Day
On This Day is a website that features one influential story that happened on that day in Canadian history and helped shaped our society. Use the #OnThisDay hashtag to share what you learn!
Volunteer 150 for 150
Volunteering creates a lasting legacy that will continue into Canada’s future. As part of Canada’s 150th, the Volunteer 150 for 150 initiative will promote and encourage all Canadians to donate 150 hours of their time to a worthy cause. Might we suggest SCI BC?
People of Canada
All Canadians are welcome to submit photos to the People of Canada. From there, submitters have the chance to be selected for an interview and their photos to be turned into a one-of-a-kind portrait that portrays them, and Canadian life. The final product will be displayed and shared online. Visit the site now and see works in progress!
One Five Oh
Can you tell a story in 150 seconds or less? If so, the One Five Oh is for you! This collaborative project is currently collecting stories from Canadians across the country and transforming them into short films of 150 seconds or less that can then be viewed online. All Canadians are eligible to apply!
National Canadian Film Day
On April 19, tune in to National Canadian Film Day! Check out a classic Canadian film at your local theatre or sit back and relax with a flick at home (streaming and downloading options are available for most films on their website). Don’t know anything about Canadian film? Not to worry, Reel Canada has a great list of 150 Canadian films to get you started!
