Under the special events section, it is announced Dollard will hold a Celebration July 1 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Civic Centre (with the rain date being July 2). No mention anywhere that it’s Canada Day. Though a long list of activities are planned, including inflatable rides, face-painting and fireworks.
“What are we celebrating?” asked a Dollard woman who called The Chronicle last week, concerned town officials were being too nonchalant about the country’s 142nd birthday.
With this being Quebec and all, some wondered if Dollard was tip-toeing around calling the day by its name to avoid insulting any pure-laine Québécois nationalists.
However, it seems Dollard, in order to get a bigger bang out of tax dollars, traditionally holds only one day of events for both the St. Jean Baptiste Day (June 24) and Canada Day holidays.
“We don’t hold two separate events. We celebrate both under one banner. So that’s why we say Celebration and have one big event,” explained Dollard town councillor Errol Johnson, adding council members are not shy about being Canadian.
This year, Dollard’s municipal celebration fell on July 1.
While several West Island municipalities, such as Beaconsfield, Dorval and Pointe Claire, hold events for both holidays, some towns only organize one but don’t hold them on either of the two holidays. For instance, Baie d’Urfé Days were held June 19 to 21, prior to both official summer holidays. Kirkland Day, which always takes place mid-June, is the annual celebration of the inauguration of the town and has been held annually since 1970.
Maybe to avoid confusion, Dollard should be explicit in its bulletin and state its celebration day is held to mark both holidays, which are exactly a week apart on the calendar. Mind you, some Quebec nationalists might be offended to have this combo-celebration fall directly on July 1 each year, so Dollard could face a backlash then as well. Well, Dollard could also loosen its purse strings and plan two events, or, if they wish to remain fiscally responsible, hold one big splash on a day in between both holidays.
Anyway, Happy Canada Day to all.
O Dollard!
O Dollard!
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- Published on June 30th, 2009
- Published on Febuary 6th, 2010
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Carter Haydu
Times-Herald
Although Dollard des Ormeaux town officials assure no malice was intended, some residents were left wondering what they were celebrating July 1 based on the vague information in the recent municipal bulletin.
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- Karen Leroux
- - February 8th, 2010 at 11:15:10
No offense is the tired defense used when municipalities or other government offices are called to task for insulting behaviours. It would seem to me, a municipal celebration pales in comparison to a holiday honouring a nation and its people. Dollard can now join Louise Harel in the "No offense was intended (at least not now that we've been caught!!) camp. Residents of Dollard are more than welcome to join in the CANADA DAY festivities in Pointe-Claire. We aren't afraid to call it what it is, in Pointe-Claire. We celebrate the Fete Nationale and Canada Day, on their respective days. We have pride in being both Quebecois and Canadian.
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