Community News

Happy Birthday to you - CANADA!

Jun 29. 11

Bulkley Valley Credit Union wishes Canada a very Happy Birthday!

All of the BVCU offices will be closed on Friday, July 1.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name, Dominion Day. About 100 years later in 1982, our July 1 holiday “Dominion Day” became “Canada Day”.

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st.

Canada Day is THE DAY to gather in your own community and proudly celebrate all there is in common with your neighbours. It is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and the shared values of our ancestors. The celebrations are voiced in nearly all of the languages of the world thanks to the contribution of “old and new” Canadians.

For the past 50 years, the government has arranged for funding for Canada Day celebrations. A highlight was Canada’s Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill again being the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony. The format changed the following year with the addition of multicultural and professional concerts held on Parliament Hill including a nationally televised show.

A new formula was developed in 1980 when the federal government organization charged with planning Canada’s Birthday celebrations supported the development of community celebrations all across Canada. Grant funds were distributed to promote popular and amateur activities organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of local communities. In 1985, Canada Day Committees were established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally and grants continue to be available.

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