Growing up my favourite part of Canada Day was the fireworks.
Back then, it was the only time of the year I ever saw them.
But as I’ve gotten older, what makes Canada Day special for me is the sharing of food, dance and art from across the globe.
With that, it’s also an important day to reflect on how we can support each other in our local community every day and learn more about the path to reconciliation and the Coast Salish people.
Every year, I host a new citizens' reception in Port Moody.
And this year I’ll also be attending kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation’s land code ceremony then visiting the Golden Spike Days to commemorate the impacts and history of the Trans Canada Railway, and, of course, going to the fireworks in Coquitlam!
July 1 schedule
- 1 to 2 p.m.: Golden Spike Days, Canada Day celebration, Rocky Point Park
- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Kwikwetlem First Nation land code ceremony, ƛ̓éxətəm (formerly Colony Farm Park)
- 4 p.m.: Golden Spike Days, on stage and meet and greet with Jagmeet Singh
- Later: Town Centre Park, Canada Day celebration
Bonita Zarrillo is the Member of Parliament for Port Moody–Coquitlam, the federal NDP's critic for infrastructure and communities; disability inclusion and the deputy health critic.
