A gift for Canada – and the future of all Canadians, by Craig and Marc Kielburger
Happy Birthday, Canada. We want to give you a gift.
But not just any gift will do. While fireworks, celebrations and music are fitting such a memorable occasion, we want all Canadians to pitch in on something truly special for this milestone.
A gift of service, a gift for the future of Canada, to build the country we all know is possible.
On July 1, Canadians will mark Canada 150 with a party—but on July 2, when the first-ever WE Day Canada takes over Parliament Hill, our attention will turn from the past to the future. That’s when we get to work. We started this movement for change 23 years ago, when we were just teenagers. We wanted to fight against child labour and end the exploitation of young people. Since then, we’ve learned many lessons and expanded our vision.
Now, we’re working in countries around the world and in communities across Canada to make sure every young person, every family, every teacher, every community and every company knows they can make an impact.
Twenty years ago, young people in Canada were the least likely to volunteer or be involved in their communities. Now, they’re the most. They’re leading the work on reconciliation, promoting diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment and empowering the next generation of leaders
These young people, along with their parents and teachers, are the strongest forces for good in the country. And they are the ones who will ensure the next 150 years are even stronger than the last.
Canada 150 is not just another celebration—it’s an opportunity for a national conversation about what kind of country we want. Nothing makes us more proud than partnering with Heritage Canada to help lead that conversation.
Long after the fireworks have ended, the last notes have drifted away and the confetti has been cleaned up, there will work to be done.
That’s why we’re asking every person to give Canada a gift of service on whatever issue they care most about. That’s why every person who takes the stage at WE Day Canada will share their dream for the future of our country. And that’s why we’ve created amazing resources in French and English, with over 100 lesson plans to support schools and families, all available at WE.ca.
Our gift—the WE movement’s gift—is to empower youth and families as the largest service organization in Canada.
WE will be back in Ottawa and in schools and communities across the country, year after year, to empower everyone who wants to make a difference, creating a truly national movement.
Canada has accomplished a lot to be proud of in 150 years.
We’ve welcomed new Canadians from around the world, making our country one of the most multicultural nations. But we need to work every day to ensure people feel included.
We’ve served as a beacon of hope, for refugees, for those fleeing persecution and slavery on the Underground Railroad, and for Jews, Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus to practice their chosen faith. But we need to build more supportive communities.
We’ve seen our flag raised into space on the Canadarm, worn alongside the blue peacekeeping helmets of UN missions around the world, and courageously carried across the country by Terry Fox. But the future of our country depends on the strength of innovation and perseverance to take us forward.
And we’ve started the longoverdue process of reckoning with our past and righting historical wrongs in our relationships with Indigenous communities. But reconciliation is only just beginning.
It’s not enough to wave a flag on July 1—we need to make our country better all year. And it’s that spirit we are celebrating on July 2.
To make WE Day Canada happen, we’ve been supported by friends and companies who share our dreams, including philanthropist Frank Giustra, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde and entertainment executive Jeffrey Latimer. We want to thank Paul and Leah Atkinson and family, Kevin and Mandi Kimsa and family, and Mark and Sarah Wellings and family. And we’re grateful to RBC, TELUS, Seventh Generation and Teck, and all of our partners listed on the back page, for their support.
We hope you join us in giving a gift to Canada, and the future of all Canadians.