The 150th anniversary of Confederation is a truly special occasion for Canadians to connect with our past, celebrate our achievements and build future legacies. It is an opportunity to reflect on and deepen our sense of what it means to be Canadian, as well as to inspire a new era of optimism and pride across the country. Canada is Strong, Proud and Free, and it is worth celebrating.
Canada 150 also represents a key moment for citizens, communities, non-governmental organizations and businesses to show their appreciation and make their own contributions to Canada. Leading up to and during 2017, Canadians will be encouraged to make a gift to Canada that will have lasting effects on Canadian life for generations to come.
The Government of Canada will bring Canadians together with a common purpose. The Canada 150 overarching theme is “Strong. Proud. Free.”—words that define and characterize present-day Canada. A Canada that is a strong leader in the world, with one of the most robust economies. A Canada that is proud of its identity and achievements, as well as its natural beauty and resources. A Canada that is free with an open, diverse and pluralistic society. This theme connects us with our past, embraces the present, and builds towards the future.
The Canada 150 vision includes three elements:
- Giving Back to Canada: Canadians will be challenged to dream about what the future holds for the next 150 years, and to give back to our country, providing meaningful change and lasting legacies for future generations.
- Honouring the Exceptional: Exceptional Canadian people, places, achievements and events will be showcased to help shape Canada’s leaders of tomorrow.
- Celebrating and Bringing Canadians Together: Canadians and their communities will have opportunities to celebrate together and build a deeper understanding of Canada, its people and what it means to be Canadian.
Canada 150 programming will support and promote activities that align with this vision.
Canadians are excited to mark this milestone and many communities are taking the initiative to plan in advance. Through Canada 150, the Government of Canada will provide a framework for the 150th anniversary, but it is Canadians who will play a central role in these celebrations, from the bold and innovative ideas they put forward, to the volunteers required to run community-driven events, to strategic corporate investment and support.
Through the Canada 150 Fund, the Government of Canada will make strategic investments totalling $210 million in activities that support the Canada 150 vision and engage Canadians directly. The Canada 150 Fund will support activities that:
- Encourage participants to give back to Canada through gifts of time and energy, in ways that leave a legacy for the future;
- Provide Canadians with opportunities to actively participate and/or celebrate together, promoting and building a deeper understanding of Canada, its people and what it means to be Canadian; and
- Recognize and promote exceptional Canadian people, places, achievements and events that continue to shape our country.
Communities will be supported in celebrating Canada 150 in ways that are unique and meaningful to them. These Community-driven activities will provide opportunities for Canadians to participate in activities that contribute to building a sense of pride about Canada. Community-driven proposals will be considered through a competitive process that opened today. [[Canada 150 Fund]]
A limited number of high-impact, large-scale projects that are national in scope will also be supported through the Canada 150 Fund as Signature Initiatives. Proposals may be considered for Canada 150 Signature Initiatives if they are: specifically designed to celebrate Canada 150; national in scope and reach; unique and innovative; and participation-oriented. Signature initiatives will also be considered through a competitive process that opened today. [[Canada 150 Fund]]
The Government of Canada will support world-class celebration events across the country. These events will create opportunities for shared experience through large-scale gatherings in major centres.
Since 2012, the Government of Canada has been planning and building momentum toward Canada 150 by highlighting historic nation-building milestone anniversaries. These are helping build knowledge and understanding of our shared history and the remarkable story of our country, and are setting the stage for extraordinary celebrations in 2017. These milestones have included the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, the anniversaries of the First and Second World Wars, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir John A. Macdonald and the 50th anniversary of the National Flag.
