OTTAWA, June 20, 2008 - Celebrate Canada! enables Canadians throughout the country to join together to celebrate the extraordinary achievements that have shaped Canada and to learn more about our diversity and history.
The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians; and the Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity); invite all Canadians to participate in Celebrate Canada! activities, which take place across the country from June 21 to July 1.
"We can be proud to live in a united country where the diversity of our communities is such a big part of our collective identity," said Minister Verner. "During these four days of festivities, let's join together to celebrate and to express our love for our country and our pride in being Canadian."
"As we celebrate Québec's 400th anniversary, I am proud to be in Wendake at the festivities to mark National Aboriginal Day and the opening of Domagaya: The Meeting of Aboriginal Cultures and Digital Arts," said Minister Strahl. "I urge all Canadians to explore this outstanding multimedia experience, as well as to attend a wide range of National Aboriginal Day activities across Canada."
"I will join Canadians on June 27 in celebrating Multiculturalism Day as part of Celebrate Canada!," said Secretary of State Kenney. "Canada's diversity, grounded in a strong Canadian identity, is our country's greatest strength." Our Government is committed to promoting integration and fostering intercultural understanding, which are critical to a balanced and diverse society."
National Aboriginal Day, on June 21, launches the 11 days of Celebrate Canada! festivities. They continue with Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day--the national holiday for the Québecois--on June 24, and Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27. The festivities culminate with Canada Day celebrations on July 1. The theme of the noon show will be "The founding of the Canadian state 400 years ago: from Champlain to today."
Across Canada, Celebrate Canada! Committees and many community groups are organizing activities that celebrate the diversity of our cultural heritage.
This year, in particular, many of these groups will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Québec City, which also marks the founding of the Canadian state.
On Canada Day, July 1, the Department of Canadian Heritage will present the noon show, an exciting celebration in which many well-known Canadian artists will perform on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The show will highlight major moments in our history, including the 400th anniversary of Québec City.
For more information on Celebrate Canada! and its four days of festivities, visit www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/canada.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie
819 997-7788
Alykhan Velshi
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity)
alykhan_velshi@pch.gc.ca
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819 953-1160
