Canada Day, July 1, marks the 1867 confederation of the British North American provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into the single Dominion of Canada.
On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act took effect, creating a federal union with self-governance. Originally called Dominion Day, the holiday was renamed Canada Day in 1982 when the Constitution was patriated.
Parliament Hill in Ottawa hosts the largest celebration with concerts and fireworks. Local parades nationwide. Maple leaf flags everywhere. Citizenship ceremonies. Canadian-themed parties at home and abroad in expat communities.
Poutine, butter tarts, Nanaimo bars, BeaverTails (fried dough pastries). Maple syrup. Tim Hortons.
"Happy Canada Day" · "Bonne Fête du Canada".
Federal public holiday. Banks, government, and most retail closed. Major fireworks in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal. Cottage country sees heavy traffic.