FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 31, 2016
QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is encouraging Ontarians to become involved in Canada 150 and Ontario 225 celebrations in their community.
Next year marks the 150th anniversary of the confederation of Canada and the 225th anniversary of the founding of Ontario.
“Of course, plans are afoot and I encourage all to get involved, to come up with some projects—large and small—to mark these milestones in our society,” he said in the Legislature.
Barrett emphasized that as we go into Canada’s 150th, we shouldn’t forget Ontario’s big anniversary.
“The Constitutional Act of 1791 divided the British colony into two governments,” he said. “West of the Ottawa River became Upper Canada—now Ontario—with its first parliament meeting in Newark, now Niagara-on-the-Lake, on September 17, 1792. The first parliament was opened by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, reading the speech from the throne. On July 1, 1867, 75 years after Ontario’s Legislature first met, church bells rang and 4 million people celebrated the creation of the Dominion of Canada.”
He also paid tribute to the role Haldimand and Norfolk continues to play in commemorating Confederation.
“In a few short weeks, we celebrate Canada Day, the original Dominion Day, to mark confederation. Locally, both Caledonia and Port Dover have gigantic parades attended by thousands. In fact, Port Dover has been hosting its Callithumpian Parade every year since 1867. Some claim it’s the longest-running Canada Day parade in the country. Canada’s sesquicentennial will kick off much of where a lot of this began in my riding in the historic village of Vittoria. I encourage all: Let’s get involved for 2017.”