The celebration of Canada Day in Winnipeg has been renamed to “New Day”. Some scholars and a retired Manitoba judge say it represents a disappointing milestone for Canada.
Forks North Portage Partnership, to manage The Forks Plantation, which hosts the annual Canadian Day Festival, announced the changes in a statement.
“We are aware of the anger and wounds that the indigenous community feels and know that we have a role to play in the healing process,” said CEO Sarah Stasik. “We start by listening to what we hear, and providing a day focused on sharing space, telling stories, and building understanding.”
The decision was so fragmented that the board issued a subsequent statement on Forks. home page..
“There is controversy over the rethinking Canada Day plans at Forks. This new programming day, developed by management and fully supported by the board, is Canada Day, for everyone. We represent it as a new and important day to participate in a rich multicultural experience, “said the statement.
“Forks wasn’t intended to minimize or eliminate the idea of Canada Day, but we use it as an opportunity to rethink how we recognize Canada Day and celebrate it together. … Keeping in mind that the country’s ideal is a work-in-progress that requires reconciliation with indigenous peoples and continued commitment to the cultural structure that makes Canada such a unique and evolving country. “
The statement noted that the fireworks were “paused” this year. This decision will be reviewed in 2023.
Malcolm Bird, a professor of political science at the University of Winnipeg, says cancellations like these are a predictable extension of those who want to cancel Canada.
“The renaming of the Canadian Day Festival at The Forks is a natural end result of the culmination of the events and movements we have witnessed over the last five years or so. Our social, economic, political and political. All criticisms of the family system [is] By the awakened progressive left, “Bird told the Epoch Times.
“”[It’s] Perhaps best illustrated by our Prime Minister, who claims that Canada has committed a “genocide” against indigenous peoples. [This] Not surprisingly, there is no basis for celebrating our country and its founding.How can you celebrate a country [committed] Or are you committing a genocide? “
Bird believes that the shame of mainstream Canadian culture, ironically, represents the import of left-wing politics like the United States. He says Quebec seems to be the only place in Canada where people celebrate European culture violently.
“Canadians also need to rethink our national holidays. What are the points of Canada Day? Similarly, what are the points of the new September 30th date? This we made Are you proud of your country? We can still be proud and aware of its flaws and failures at the same time. We cannot and should not write down everything. “
September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation This day was created by the Parliamentary Act of June 3, 2021. This day coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which has a similar purpose, in honor of those who attended housing school, their families, and their communities.
“Canada needs Canada Day”
Some prominent Winni Pegers oppose Forks’ decision.Former Liberal Party Cabinet Minister Lloyd Axworthy Told Winnipeg Free Press The decision is “out of focus”.
“I think Canada needs Canada Day more than ever, so I think it’s a decision that really needs to be revised and rethought,” Axworthy later told the CBC.
Mayor candidate Jennie Motokark also condemned this decision Tweet.
“On July 1st, I proudly celebrate Canada’s birthday because I love my country unconditionally. I don’t think Forks can do that because I learned it was canceled recently.” She is writing.
“PS-We are currently accepting invitations to all actual Canadian Day parties.”
I love my country unconditionally, so I proudly celebrate Canada’s birthday on July 1st. I don’t think Forks can do that because it turned out to have been canceled recently.
PS – I am currently accepting invitations to all actual Canadian Day parties.# Canada Independence Day pic.twitter.com/snHDJswCqf— Jenny Motkaluk (@JennyMotkaluk) June 20, 2022
Brian Giesbrecht, a former judge in Manitoba, a senior researcher at the Winnipeg-based Frontier Public Policy Center, said he would attend the party.
“When Canada Day comes, I’m proudly celebrating. I’m not going to hide it behind the names of sissy like” New Day “and other weak imitations. I’m proud of my country, warts, and everything, “Giesbrecht said in an email.
“Canada Day acknowledges not only the wonderful things Canada has accomplished, but also the mistakes we made in the process …. So don’t be ashamed of Canada Day. We’re close to perfection. No, but we’re working hard. We don’t have to hide our warm feelings for this wonderful country. We don’t have to lower the flag. Canada Day is for all Canadians. “
Professor Bruce Purdy of Queen’s University said the Winipeggers are more at stake than the way they celebrate July 1.
“Canada Day cancellations and renamings may seem silly and trivial, but they reflect a sort of cultural self-loathing that seized Canada’s body politics.” Purdy told the Epoch Times.
“Our institution is an anti-Western ideology that claims that Canada and other Western countries are fundamentally unfair, systematically racist, oppressive, and destructive. I have accepted the premise, “he added, adding that it may be” the most serious for Canada. ” Being “its conditional aversion to its own history and tradition”.
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Lee Harding is a Saskatchewan-based journalist and think tank researcher and contributor to The Epoch Times.