On June 20, 1868 a proclamation issued by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the Anniversary of the formation of the Dominion of Canada on the 1st of July, 1868, presently known as Canada Day. At Confederation on July 1, 1867, the British North America Act officially joined the Province of Canada (Quebec and Ontario) with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to become “one Dominion under the name of Canada.” On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as “Dominion Day” became “Canada Day and became a day to celebrate the formation of a nation.
Canada wasn’t the only name considered for the new dominion though. Other names suggested at the time of Confederation were: Victorialand, Borealia, Cabotia, Tuponia, Superior, Norland and Hochelaga. The word Canada comes from the First Nations Iroquoian language, Kanata, which means village, land or settlement.
Canada’s national colours of red and white are no coincidence. Red and white has been recorded in history as being the colours of France or of England; France long had a red cross on its banners while England used a white cross. France and English settlers being the early settlers of Canada, undoubtedly played a key role in the heritage of Canada. Red and white were approved as Canada’s official colours in the proclamation of the royal arms of Canada in 1921 by King George V. In 1957, the colour of the maple leaves on the shield of the Royal Arms of Canada was changed from green on a white ground to red on a white ground in recognition of Canada’s official colours, and have since been Canada’s official national colours.
The maple leaf is a symbol of Canada, and has always been a symbol of Canada, even prior to the creation of the present day Canadian National Flag. And prior to the settlement of French and British subjects. Canada’s Aboriginal people gathered maple sap every spring upon discovering the food uses of maple sap, and served as a symbol of Canada from the early 1700s. The maple leaf became an official symbol on February 15, 1965.
“Early in 1964, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson, informed the House of Commons of the government’s desire to adopt a distinctive national flag for Canada. He personally proposed a flag with three red maple leaves between two blue borders. After reviewing the hundreds of designs submitted by experts and other Canadians, the single-leaf design was adopted unanimously by the Committee on October 29, 1964. It was proclaimed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965, and was inaugurated on February 15, 1965, at an official ceremony held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in the presence of the Governor General, His Excellency General the Right Honourable Georges P. Vanier, the Prime Minister, the members of the Cabinet, and Canadian parliamentarians” (Government of Canada).
Canada Day is an official federal statutory holiday, and it is celebrated widely throughout all of Canada as a celebration of the nation. Canada is a great country that has become a safe home for many Tamil immigrants fleeing persecution in Sri-Lanka and second-generation Tamils. Many Tamil youth have become exceptional leaders in Canada, and have contributed greatly to the development of Canadian business, arts, academia, and culture. Today is a day to celebrate not only the anniversary of the creation of a nation, but the development of that nation through its peope.
On behalf of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance, we wish you and your families a very Happy Canada Day!
References and more information:
http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/df6-eng.cfm
http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/etiqtt/index-eng.cfm
