It's High Tide on Vancouver Island for Canada 150: Catch the Waves of Celebration!

The Government of Canada supports Canada 150 celebrations in communities across the country

VICTORIA, June 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Dan Ruimy, Member of Parliament (Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge), today announced support for the City of Victoria's Canada Day 2017 celebrations, as well as funding for events, activities and projects to celebrate Canada 150 across Vancouver Island. Mr. Ruimy made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

The Government of Canada is investing $400,000 in the City of Victoria's exciting array of Canada Day activities.

The City of Victoria will offer enhanced programming on July 1 to mark this important milestone in Canada's history. Spirit of 150 Victoria events will be featuring family-friendly activities, traditional Indigenous dancing and singing, multicultural performances, live music on two main stages and much more, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over Victoria's Inner Harbour.

In addition to providing funding for the City of Victoria's Canada Day celebrations, the Government of Canada will also be providing close to $85,000 for events to celebrate Canada Day, as well as National Aboriginal Day (June 21), Saint-Jean-Baptiste: Fête nationale du Québec et de la Francophonie canadienne (June 24) and Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27) on Vancouver Island. These four special days of celebration are an opportunity to highlight what makes communities all across the country unique, diverse and vibrant.

What's more, in addition to funding for these special days, Mr. Ruimy also announced more than $385,000 for 11 Canada 150 projects that will give British Columbians the opportunity to participate in exciting programming and activities throughout this milestone year.

The Canada 150 Fund was established by the Government of Canada to allow Canadians across the country to take part in local, regional and Canada-wide celebrations and activities.

Quotes

"Canada 150 is a unique opportunity for communities to celebrate all that it means to be Canadian. Celebrations will be taking place all across the country, culminating with Canada Day. Join your friends and family and be a part of the celebrations in this outstanding year!"

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"This year affords us all an extraordinary moment to reflect on how fortunate we are as a country, to honour our tremendous accomplishments and to delight in that which makes us uniquely Canadian. I look forward to celebrating Canada Day and our sesquicentennial year with my fellow British Columbians as we look to our future with hope, generosity, openness and respect."

—Dan Ruimy, Member of Parliament (Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge)

"I would like to thank Canadian Heritage for making our Spirit of 150 Victoria programming possible on Canada Day. As we begin our work towards reconciliation, we are also honoured to host National Aboriginal Day on June 21 at Victoria's Inner Harbour, the traditional territory of the Lekwungen People."

—Charlayne Thornton-Joe, Acting Mayor of Victoria

"This support from Canadian Heritage has enabled us to offer an exciting lineup of diverse multicultural programming over 11 days, including Canada Day, that will provide citizens the opportunity to come together to commemorate Canada's 150^th."

—Alan Lowe, Chair, Greater Victoria Spirit Committee

Quick Facts

In honour of Canada 150, this year's special period of celebrations, beginning on June 21 and concluding with a major celebration for Canada Day on July 1, will be the most spectacular in Canadian history.

June 21 is National Aboriginal Day: a celebration of Indigenous culture and heritage. This date was chosen because it corresponds to the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and because many Indigenous groups celebrate their culture and heritage at this time of year.

June 24, Saint-Jean-Baptiste: Fête nationale du Québec et de la Francophonie canadienne, marries the ancient rites surrounding the summer solstice—a period of light and hope—and the traditional celebration of the day of the patron saint of French Canadians.

June 27 was designated Canadian Multiculturalism Day on November 13, 2002. This day is an opportunity to appreciate the contributions of the various multicultural groups and communities to Canadian society.

On July 1, Canada Day, Canadians at home and abroad show their pride in their country's history, culture and accomplishments. This year, 19 urban centres across the country will celebrate Canada Day in a spectacular fashion: St. John's, Charlottetown, Halifax, Fredericton, Moncton, Québec City, Montréal, Ottawa–Gatineau, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit.

These celebrations will highlight the evolution of our country, from its Indigenous origins to the presence of the French and the birth of our rich Francophone heritage, and through the more recent waves of immigration that led to the development of a diverse and inclusive society.

A wide range of community projects, supported by the Canada 150 Fund, will also provide opportunities for Canadians to take part in celebrations in their communities. These projects will showcase the vitality of our diverse communities, as well as the many facets of Canada's diversity.

Related Products

Twelve Days of Celebrations for Our Country's Birthday!
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2017/05/twelve_days_of_celebrationsforourcountrysbirthday.html

Associated Links

Canada 150: Come out and celebrate!
http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1468854891549/1469215680151

Data Tables – Canada 150 Fund

City	Name of Organization	Name of Activity	Amount
Campbell River	CAMPBELL RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT 72	Celebrating Canadian Culture	$2,000
Campbell River	CAMPBELL RIVER COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL	150 Banners For 150 Years! The Canada 150 Project	$15,000
Duncan	COWICHAN TRIBES FIRST NATION - TS'EWULHTUN HEALTH CENTRE OF THE COWICHAN TRIBES	Healing Together	$46,709
Esquimalt	CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT	Township of Esquimalt Canada 150 Celebrations	$40,500
Ladysmith	TOWN OF LADYSMITH	Ladysmith & Stz'uminus Celebrate Canada 150	$46,000
Nanaimo	CANADA 150 NANAIMO CELEBRATION ORGANIZING COMMITTEE	Canada 150 Celebrations in Nanaimo	$49,900
Nanaimo	VANCOUVER ISLAND EXHIBITION ASSOCIATION	A Step Back in Time - Showcasing Our Canadian Agricultural Heritage	$21,055
Sidney	TOWN OF SIDNEY	Sidney Celebrates Canada 150	$27,540
Ucluelet	UCLUELET FIRST NATION	Clayoquot Biosphere Regional Gathering in recognition of Canada's 150th	$50,000
Victoria	LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA	Gardens of Canada and related public events	$38,500
Victoria	THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA	Take a Walk on the Wild Side BC: Celebrate Canada 150!	$48,000
		TOTAL:	$385,204

Data Tables – Celebrate Canada

City		Name of Organization	Name of Activity		Amount
Ahousaht		AHOUSAHT ADMINISTRATION	National Aboriginal Day: Celebrating Ahousaht Life		$2,500
Alert Bay		CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF ALERT BAY	Cormorant Island Canada Day Celebration		$400
Campbell River		CAMPBELL RIVER CANADA DAY COMMITTEE	Campbell River Canada Day		$7,000
Campbell River		LAICHWILTACH FAMILY LIFE SOCIETY	National Aboriginal Day Celebration		$1,750
Chemainus		CHEMAINUS VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY	Canada Day Celebration		$2,250
Courtenay		COMOX VALLEY MULTICULTURAL AND IMMIGRANT SUPPORT SOCIETY	Comox Valley Multicultural Festival - Canada 150 Birthday celebrating		$1,100
Courtenay		JULY 1ST COMMITTEE COURTENAY	Canada Day 2017		$2,800
Duncan		COWICHAN STATION AREA ASSOCIATION	Celebrate Canada at Cowichan Station - Flagpole Raising Party!		$800
Duncan		COWICHAN VALLEY INTERCULTURAL AND IMMIGRANT AID SOCIETY	Cowichan Multiculturalism Day Celebration & Community Multiculturalism Awards		$1,000
Duncan		COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT	Canada Day 2017 Celebration Event		$2,500
Duncan		HIIYE'YU LELUM (HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP) SOCIETY	150 Years of Fun - Family Fun Day		$1,650
Duncan		MAPLE BAY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION	Canada Day in Maple Bay		$1,400
Gabriola Island		GABRIOLA ARTS COUNCIL	Gabriola Canada Day Festival & Night Market		$2,000
Gabriola		GABRIOLA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM SOCIETY	Celebrate Canada 150 on Gabriola		$600
Galiano Island		NORTH  GALIANO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION	Canada Day Celebrations		$475
Gold River		MOWACHAHT/MUCHALAHT FIRST NATIONS	Aboriginal Day 2017		$1,600
Ladysmith		STZ'UMINUS FIRST NATION	2017 Aboriginal Day Celebrations		$1,500
Ladysmith	TOWN OF LADYSMITH		Celebrate Canada 2017		$3,200
Lantzville	ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION SEAVIEW CENTENNIAL (PACIFIC NO.257) BRANCH 257		Celebrate Canada Day		$600
Nanaimo	CANADA DAY 150 NANAIMO CELEBRATION COMMITTEE		Canada Day 150 Nanaimo Celebration		$9,000
Nanaimo	NANAIMO ABORIGINAL CENTRE SOCIETY		National Aboriginal Day in Nanaimo		$3,000
Nanaimo	NANAIMO CORRECTIONAL CENTRE		Aboriginal Day Celebration Event		$900
Pender Island	ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 239		Canada Day Celebrations 2017		$800
Port Alberni	PORT ALBERNI FOLKFEST MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY		Port Alberni Folkfest		$2,800
Port Alice	VILLAGE OF PORT ALICE		Canada Day Celebrations		$1,600
Port Hardy	DISTRICT OF PORT HARDY		Canada Day 150		$2,400
Qualicum Beach	CORCAN - MEADOWOOD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION		Meadowood Canada Day Celebration		$1,000
Quathiaski Cove	DISCOVERY ISLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE		Quadra Island Canada Day Celebration		$1,000
Saanich	VANCOUVER ISLAND REGIONAL CORRECTIONAL CENTRE		National Aboriginal Day Celebration		$800
Sayward	SAYWARD FUTURES SOCIETY		Canada Day 2017		$1,500
Shawnigan Lake	ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION MALAHAT DISTRICT #134		Canada Day Pancake Breakfast		$500
Sidney	PENINSULA CELEBRATIONS SOCIETY		Sidney Days Canada Day		$4,000
Sointula	SOINTULA RECREATION ASSOCIATION		Sointula Canada Day Regatta 2017		$900
Sooke	DISTRICT OF SOOKE		Canada Day Fireworks		$1,500
Sooke	PORT RENFREW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE		2017 Canada Day Celebration		$1,100
Tahsis	VILLAGE OF TAHSIS		Celebrate Canada Day		$800
Ucluelet	DISTRICT OF UCLUELET		Canada Day 150 Celebration		$1,300
Ucluelet	PACIFIC RIM ARTS SOCIETY		Performance at Canada Day 150th Celebrations in Ucluelet		$1,300
Victoria	GORGE TILLICUM COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION		Gorge Canada Day Picnic		$2,500
Victoria	HULITAN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY		Westshore Aboriginal day Celebration		$2,800
Victoria	SHANNON OAKS - OAK BAY		Celebrate Canada		$800
Victoria	SOCIÉTÉ FRANCOPHONE DE VICTORIA		Fête de la Saint Jean-Baptiste et participation francophone à la fête du Canada à Victoria		$1,500
Victoria	VICTORIA AFRICAN & CARIBBEAN SOCIETY		VACC Society Celebrating CANADA 150: Eat, Drum & Dance ensemble in the Park		$1,500
Victoria	VICTORIA HIGHLAND GAMES ASSOCIATION		Canada Day at Craigflower Manor		$3,000
Zeballos	CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF ZEBALLOS		Canada Day Celebration in Zeballos		$1,500
			TOTAL:		$84,925

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

For more information (media only), please contact: Pierre-Olivier Herbert, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]