Baby Emma marks Day 1 as Canada celebrates its 150th
A century-and-a-half after Canada’s confederation in 1867 and 125 years after Windsor’s birth as a city, little Emma Boiciuc had her own birthday.
Her parents, Veronica and Daniel Boiciuc, welcomed Emma at 4:10 a.m. Saturday at Windsor Regional Hospital.
“We’re proud to be parents of our seventh child,” Daniel Boiciuc told the Star. “It’s nice to have it be on Canada Day.”
Emma has four brothers and two sisters.
“I think they’re going to be really happy,” Daniel said. “They’ve waited for such a long time. We always spoke about it — and today’s the day. Later today they will be visiting the hospital. They will get to see her.”
The family lives in Windsor but are originally from Romania, having moved to Canada in 1990.
“We love it in Canada,” he said. They lived in Windsor for 14 years then moved to British Columbia, before returning to Windsor four years ago.
“We love it here. It’s a beautiful climate, it’s the most southern part of Canada,” Daniel said. “We’re happy to be part of the celebrations for Canada’s 150th birthday.”
Ron Foster, vice-president of public affairs at Windsor Regional Hospital, called it “unique” to celebrate the first Canada Day baby in Windsor.
The hospital usually has an event for the first baby of the New Year — but announcing the birth of a Canada Day baby was a new custom brought on by Canada 150.
“The great thing is, everyone across Windsor-Essex County and really all of Canada, we’re looking at unique ways to celebrate Canada’s 150,” Foster said. “This birth this morning at the hospital really gave us an opportunity to be included.
“We were really pleased to be included with the celebration of the 150th through the birth of life, a new baby, coming into the world at Windsor Regional.”
He added that the family was especially pleased to be involved.
The proud mother of baby Emma, Veronica Boiciuc, summed it up in two words: “I’m happy.”