The city of Greater Sudbury hosted a number of Canada Day celebrations today, attracting local and international residents from across the globe.
To better understand the source of this northern pride, I asked guests attending Canada Day festivities across the city, why they chose to celebrate.
Originally from China, Jin Liang, who attended the festivities at Science North, works at Laurentian University promoting Canada to international students. He said that a number of his friends had been concerned that since they were not Canadian, they would not be welcome to participate in Canada Day, which Liang assured them was not the case.
"Canada Day is for everyone...(it's) a true representation of Canadian culture and what Canada means to the world, not only to Canadians but how Canada is valued globally," said Liang.
Similar to those under his care, Liang first came to Canada as a student, which president of the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association Bela Ravi*, recognizes as one of the main reasons that Sudbury is "more multicultural than it ever was."
Ravi has called Canada home since emigrating from India with her parents in 1973, which at times she said, makes her emotional to think about. "I get very emotional when I talk about Canada, it means the world to me," said Ravi. "Canadian citizenship, being Canadian - it's priceless."
Having assisted in a number of citizenship ceremonies, Riva said there was one comment made by a recent immigrant that has always stood out to her.
"They said, 'Canada lets me be me,' and where else do you get that?" said Riva. Being Canadian is being able to be yourself and "people don't realize how important that is."
For Julie Ducharme, who attended the festivities at Science North with her husband and three children, freedom is what Canada is all about.
"Being able to do what we want...it's important," said Ducharme, because even though she's French and her husband speaks English, "everybody's accepted and we can learn from each other's languages."
"(Living in Canada) my kids get the best of everything," said Trisha Grey, who attended the celebration at Science north with her husband and two children. "There's cultural diversity, but we're not like sardines - overpopulated and condensed."
"Canada is the No. 1 country on the planet," said her husband Winston, who immigrated to Canada from Jamaica around 30 years ago, and his little ones would have to agree. "Freedom and family," is what makes Canada special for young Maddy, while the opportunity to play and one day test his basketball skills in the NBA is the source of little Cedric's northern pride.
In addition to parents and little ones in attendance, the importance of security was expressed by Sarah Dempsey, who said she felt pride in feeling "safe." Dempsey attended the festivities at Science North with her boyfriend Eric McCormick, who after travelling beyond Canada said there is just something different about the Canadian spirit.
"You're naturally kind - you're just born with it," said McCormick.
As the country takes time today to reflect upon the nation's history and triumphs, Riva said it is important to celebrate the multicultural makeup of those that made Canada the country it is.
"We want to show the world we're united no matter what here in Sudbury - the happiest city in the world."
*An earlier version of this story included a misspelling of Bela Ravi's name. Sudbury.com apologizes for the error.
