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!
Before Canada
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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The History Behind July 1
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.
Why Do We Call it Canada Day?
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.
To celebrate Canada Day, it’s common to dress in red and white!
Canada Day 2024 Celebrations
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!
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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!
A large crowd gathers on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to celebrate!
Celebrating Canada Day 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
Is Canada Day 2024 a Statutory Holiday?
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.
What if Canada Day Falls on a Weekend?
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’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!
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.
A large crowd gathers each year on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario to celebrate Canada Day!
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. It’s a nationwide holiday that brings Canadians from all over the country together to celebrate. People get together and celebrate all the wonderful things this country offers. Canada Day, 2023, will mark Canada’s 156th birthday.
This year, Canada’s population will surpass 40 million and a large part of the country’s growth is due to international migration. That’s a great testament to the appeal of Canada as an attractive place for newcomers. And, for newcomers, Canada Day is a great time to join the celebration and learn even more about your new home!
Before Canada
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 that is now Canada was a big 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. In the South, 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 all got together to discuss the idea of a possible union.
Learn the History Behind July 1
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 2023 will celebrate the 156th anniversary of confederation.
Fun Fact: To this day, Canada’s official name is still “Dominion of Canada.” The complete name is quite wordy though, so we just shorten it to Canada.
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Although Canada originally consisted of just four provinces, more British colonies opted to join the Dominion of Canada following 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.
Why is it Called Canada Day?
The holiday on July 1 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 and it certainly wasn’t called Canada Day at the time. It wasn’t until Canada gained complete independence in 1982 that 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 truly magnificent. Today, Canada Day is one of the most beloved holidays in the country. July 1 has become synonymous with large festivals and vibrant fireworks. Since Canada Day comes right after the school year ends, the holiday marks the unofficial start of the Canadian summer.
Canada Day usually brings many exciting events and festivals with it. From the West Coast in the Pacific to the East Coast in the Atlantic, Canada lights up on July 1. You can be sure that many Canada Day festivals will take place in small towns and large cities around you! 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.
Canada Day festivals generally take place in vast, open spaces such as a large park or a beach. These festivals are enormous and have activities for everyone. Some of the biggest Canada Day celebrations take place on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Since there is ongoing construction on parliament hill that will continue for the next few years, the celebrations aren’t as large this year. Instead, the festivities are spread out across Downtown Ottawa and Gatineau. Still, the area will host some of the biggest and grandest Canada Day celebrations this year.
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Members of Canada’s Ceremonial Guard march in a Canada Day parade in Ottawa, Ontario wearing distinctive scarlet tunics and bearskin caps.
Is Canada Day 2023 a Statutory Holiday?
The holiday is a national statutory holiday, meaning most employees are legally entitled to take the day off. You will still receive statutory holiday pay, which is the same as a day’s work if you take the day off. If you decide to work on Canada Day, you will receive premium pay, which is 1½ times your regular pay. If you are not scheduled to work on Canada Day, you are entitled to take the next day off while receiving holiday pay.
Canada Day being a statutory holiday also means that all government institutions are closed on that day. Libraries, government offices, banks, and post offices are all examples of services you will find closed on Canada Day.
What if Canada Day Falls on a Weekend?
Canada Day 2023 will fall on a Saturday. If 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 is bumped to the next weekday. However, some provinces have different policies regarding when Canada Day is celebrated. While all provinces and territories recognize Canada Day as a statutory holiday, not all of them 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 Citizenship Ceremony for New Canadians.
Canada Day is about celebrating being Canadian. It is a day to celebrate your identity as a proud Canadian. Canada is a wonderful country with a rich history and a bright future. Canada Day serves to remind us of that fact every year on July 1. As Canadian newcomers, what a great way to celebrate summer, blue skies, long days, kids out of school, and our great new home and life!
For more information, tools, and free webinars about living in Canada visit our Settling in Canada resource page. We’ll help you to settle in Canada successfully!
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.
