The Region of Durham has officially cancelled the virtual Canada Day celebrations it had planned for July 1.
The announcement was made in a brief statement issued Monday (June 28) afternoon.
“Residents are advised that the Canada Day the Durham Way virtual programming, originally scheduled for Canada Day, will not be taking place on July 1,” it reads.
“Instead, the Region of Durham is asking residents to reflect on our relationships — both past and present—with Indigenous communities, and to move forward with reconciliation in our hearts, minds and actions. Residents are encouraged to take time to be open and honest about our historic and present-day relationship with the First Peoples of this land — the land we are proud to now call Canada.”
Regional Chair John Henry had released a statement echoing many of those points earlier in the morning (see link below).
“We have always prided ourselves on being one of the best countries in the world because we are open, honest, and welcoming. We need to uphold that reputation this Canada Day, and take this time to be open and honest with ourselves, and our historic and present-day relationship with the First Peoples of this land,” it reads in part.
