Québec City, Quebec - 25 June 2015
The 150th anniversary of Confederation (Canada 150) 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 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 Canada 150 overarching theme is “Strong. Proud. Free.” These are words that define and characterize present-day Canada. Canada is a strong leader in the world, with one of the most robust economies. Canada is proud of its identity and achievements, as well as its natural beauty and resources. Canada is a free country, with an open, diverse and pluralistic society. This theme connects us with our past, embraces the present, and builds toward 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 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.
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. One of these, the Rendez-vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta project, will receive $7 million in support from the Government of Canada. These initiatives will bring Canadians together across the country with opportunities to express their pride in what Canada represents to them. Proposals being considered are specifically designed to celebrate Canada 150, national in scope and reach, unique and innovative, and participation-oriented. Applications for signature projects are no longer accepted at this time.
Communities will be supported in celebrating Canada150 in ways that are unique and meaningful to them. These community-driven activities will provide opportunities for Canadians to participate and contribute to building a sense of pride about Canada. Community-driven proposals will be considered through a competitive process that is now open. Canadians can submit a funding application under the Canada 150 Fund at any time for national, provincial and regional projects.
The Government of Canada will also support world-class celebration events across the country. These events will create opportunities for shared experience through large-scale gatherings in major centres.
