No Canada Day festivities in Halifax, residents asked to reflect

By Mark Hodgins

The Halifax Regional Municipality is not holding any events this Canada Day and is instead asking residents to use the day for reflection.

Many cities have cancelled festivities for Jul. 1 after the recent discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves on the sites of former residential schools across the country. 

Halifax didn't have plans for the day, citing the pandemic. 

“Traditional Canada Day events were not planned as a result of COVID-19 public health restrictions,” said HRM spokesperson Brynn Budden. “We encourage residents to use this day to reflect on our shared history and collectively recommit to a stronger future built upon meaningful reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples.”

Langille says the municipality will continue to support Bedford Days programming that will focus on local history including Mi'kmaq culture and heritage.

The Cowessess First Nation announced this week the discovery of 751 unmarked graves at a former residential school in Saskatchewan. Last month, the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation in BC said it had found the remains of 215 children on the grounds of a residential school in Kamloops.

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