Canada Day
341 days until Canada Day
About Canada Day
Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday celebrated across the country on July 1 to mark the anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 1867. The occasion brings Canadians together to celebrate the nation's history, culture, and achievements with festivities from coast to coast to coast.
History
On July 1, 1867, the Constitution Act (then known as the British North America Act) officially joined three British colonies—the Province of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia—into a single Dominion named Canada. Governor General Lord Monck issued a proclamation encouraging celebrations in 1868, but the date was not formally established as an annual statutory holiday, then named Dominion Day, until Parliament passed legislation in 1879.
National celebrations remained modest for many years, with the first major public event on Parliament Hill taking place in 1927 for the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. Following the patriation of Canada's Constitution and the introduction of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Parliament officially renamed the holiday Canada Day on October 27, 1982.
Traditions & Celebrations
Canadians celebrate Canada Day with outdoor activities, community parades, pancake breakfasts, live musical performances, and spectacular evening fireworks. Wearing red and white, displaying the national flag, and applying face paint are common traditions. In Ottawa, national celebrations at LeBreton Flats feature citizenship ceremonies for new Canadians and flyovers by the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the morning of July 1 is spent solemnly observing Memorial Day to honour members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who fell at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, before afternoon Canada Day festivities begin.
Did you know?
- The official legal name of the holiday was Dominion Day until an Act of Parliament formally changed it to Canada Day in October 1982.
- Under Canada's federal Holidays Act, whenever July 1 falls on a Sunday, the official legal public holiday shifts to July 2.
- In Quebec, July 1 is widely recognized as Moving Day, a unique cultural custom resulting from the traditional end date of residential property leases.
- The first live, nationwide television broadcast of Dominion Day festivities by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation occurred on July 1, 1958.
Canada Day dates by year
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada Day a paid statutory holiday?
Yes, Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday observed across every province and territory, granting eligible workers a paid day off.
What happens if Canada Day falls on a weekend?
When July 1 falls on a Sunday, federal law mandates that July 2 is observed as the legal public holiday. If it falls on a Saturday, many businesses and public services observe the day off on the preceding Friday or following Monday.
Why is July 1 also significant in Newfoundland and Labrador?
In Newfoundland and Labrador, July 1 is also Memorial Day, commemorating the heavy loss of life suffered by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment at Beaumont-Hamel on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.