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Written By
Zain Usmani
Jun 28, 2024
•Life in Canada
Every year, Canadians start their summer by celebrating Canada Day on July 1. The holiday marks the anniversary of Confederation, the event that created Canada. This nationwide holiday brings people across the country together to celebrate the wonderful things Canada offers including its diversity and culture. Canada Day, 2024, will mark Canada’s 157th birthday.
In 2024, Canada’s population surpassed 41,000,000 (click on Canada’s real-time population clock to see how the demographics change). A large part of the growth is due to international migration. That’s a great testament to the appeal of Canada as an attractive place for newcomers. Canada Day is a great time for newcomers to celebrate your new home!
It’s mind-boggling how young Canada is in the grand scheme of things. Just two centuries ago, our beloved country didn’t even exist. Instead, the land was a jumble of territories known as British North America. It consisted of British colonies, a vast stretch known as Rupert’s Land, and was largely uninhabited.
The United States had already united to form a country. Many people at the time thought it was looking to expand north. The leaders of that time started to realize that it might be better to unite into one country rather than face external threats alone. Leaders such as Sir John A. Macdonald, George Brown, and Sir George-Étienne Cartier got together to discuss the idea of a union.
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After many discussions, four British colonies decided to unite. On July 1, 1867, the colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada (Quebec and Ontario) got together to form the Dominion of Canada. This event is known as confederation. Every year, we celebrate the anniversary of confederation or “Dominion Day” on July 1st. This year, Canada Day 2024 will celebrate the 157th anniversary of the confederation.
Fun Fact: To this day, Canada’s official name is “Dominion of Canada.” The complete name is wordy, so we shorten it to Canada.
Although Canada originally consisted of four provinces, more British colonies opted to join the Dominion of Canada following the confederation. Newfoundland and Labrador was the last province to join Canada in 1949. Canada, as we know it today, became complete with the addition of Nunavut, when it joined as a territory in 1999.
The July 1 holiday was not always called Canada Day. Even though Canada became a country in 1867, it did not gain full autonomy and was still under British rule. While July 1 officially became a holiday in 1879, it wasn’t widely celebrated or called Canada Day. When Canada gained complete independence in 1982, July 1 became Canada Day, the holiday we know and love today.
While Canada Day started as a small and modest holiday, it has evolved into something magnificent. Today, it is one of the most beloved holidays in the country. July 1 is synonymous with large festivals and vibrant fireworks. The summer solstice marks the official start of summer, but for most Canadians, it begins on Canada Day!
From Canada’s West Coast to the East Coast festivals and fireworks occur in small towns and large cities! Such events may include picnics, bonfires, sporting events, parades, water activities (it’s July), and more delicious food. More importantly, these festivals are a great way to spend time with family and friends and meet new people in your community. It’s common for people to dress in red and white to mark the occasion!
Canada Day festivals generally occur in vast, public places such as large parks or beaches. These festivals are enormous and have activities for everyone. The biggest Canada Day celebration occurs in Ottawa, Canada’s Capital Region.
New Canadians from around the world celebrate Canada Day by swearing the Oath of Citizenship at citizenship ceremonies across the country. These ceremonies are a proud moment and accomplishment for the people who have worked hard to attain citizenship.
I’ve had people sob when they received their citizenship. People grab me and kiss me. It’s so humbling”
irene pfeiffer, honourary citizenship judge
Canada Day is a national statutory holiday, meaning most employees get the day off. You will receive statutory holiday pay that is the same as a day’s work. Some businesses remain open, and essential care workers must work on statutory holidays. However, if you must work, you will receive premium pay at 1½ to 2 times your regular pay. If you are not scheduled to work on Canada Day, you can take the next day off while receiving holiday pay.
All government institutions, post offices, and federally regulated banks close on Canada Day.
When Canada Day falls on a weekend, the holiday will move to the following Monday. That is because Saturday and Sunday are not regular working days for most employees. As a result, Canada Day bumps the next weekday. However, some provinces have different policies about when they celebrate the holiday.
While all provinces and territories recognize Canada Day as a statutory holiday, not all will move Canada Day to a weekday. Some provinces and territories don’t have a rule that shifts Canada to a weekday if July 1 falls on a weekend.
Canada Day in 2024 falls on Monday, July 1.
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Canada’s greatest strength is its diversity and July 1 is about celebrating your identity as a proud Canadian. For newcomers, what a great way to celebrate summer, blue skies, long days, and our new home and life! Wishing you all Happy Canada Day!
Visit Settling in Canada for more information to help you settle in Canada with confidence!
WRITTEN BY
Zain Usmani
Writer, Prepare for Canada
My name is Zain Usmani and I am a freelance content writer who currently resides in Mississauga, Ontario. I immigrated from Pakistan to Canada 5 years ago and have lived in many cities ever since. I have lived in Calgary AB, Edmonton AB, Regina SK, London ON, and Mississauga ON, while visiting over 40 Canadian cities and towns. I have a great passion for writing and I love helping people through it.
© Prepare for Canada 2025
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