Partiers refuse to let a little (or a lot) of rain ruin their day
Canadians are a hardy folk — have been for 150 years now. And counting.
So the Canada Day celebrants weren’t about to let a little (OK, a lot) of rain dampen their enthusiasm on Saturday.
The crowd on the Hill topped 25,000 by about 1:45 p.m., or about 80 per cent of capacity, according to officials. The lines waiting for security clearance got longer as the day progressed, with long waits to get through the airportstyle gates.
But once inside, it was worth the wait.
RAY PAQUETTE
With a chest full of medals and his blue United Nations beret, Ray Paquette of Ottawa says he never misses a Canada Day celebration.
Paquette, 87, was one of about 200 Canadians who served with the UN in Vietnam in 1954 as the French empire was crumbling in Indochina, as it was then known.
“I try to make it every year,” he said. “It’s the least we can do.
“Canada, to me, is the greatest country in the world. With its diversity, everyone is welcome.
“This is an example of everyone coming together,” said Paquette, who in addition to his Vietnam tour in 1954-56 also served with NATO in Germany. He retired in 1971.
“You have to really appreciate the occasion, especially today on the 150th celebration.”
FORGIVENESS IN MY HEART FOR CANADA
Steve Maher, an Afghanistan veteran from Wahgoshig First Nation in Northern Ontario, wrapped himself against the rain as he stood beside the teepee erected in a corner of Parliament Hill to the west of the main stage.
Maher, 43, was taken in the “’60s Scoop” of indigenous Canadians. His mother and father went through the residential school system.
“I think I can find some forgiveness in my heart for Canada,” he said.
“What my mom went through and my dad went through with Indian residential schools — it was too much for them. It was dysfunctional. The genocidal trauma was too much for them to hold the family together.
“I can’t even talk to my mom about it. She freezes up when I try to talk to her, when I try to tell her it’s not her fault, try to forgive her. It looks like she suffers from some type of PTSD.
“We went through a really dark period. The native groups throughout Canada are starting their healing path by going to sun dances, by going back to the lodge. Right now it’s a grey area, but someday there will be unity and a coming together. We’re starting to see that now.” It seems like a lot to forgive. “Yes, it is. I was a veteran and it was really good to see the bagpipes today. I still keep step,” Maher says with a laugh. He was an infantryman with the Hasting and Prince Edward Regiment — the “Hasty Ps” — and served in Afghanistan with the Royal Canadian Regiment.
“It brings a lot of memories back (to hear the bagpipes), of our platoon operating as a team.
“When I found out about Indian residential schools and the systemic genocide, I became ashamed of wearing the flag,” he said. “I felt like I was part of the enemy side. I was just confused. Who was the actual enemy? It’s not Canada. It was just from a propaganda point of view.”
Maher was pleased to see the teepee given a more prominent spot on the Hill after police originally tried to prevent it from being erected.
“Seeing the fire here, I’m really impressed with our RCMP. They’re really professional people,” he said.
Maher said he knows the healing and reconciliation with First Nations will take time.
“It’s a long process. It’s not going to happen overnight.”
RIDER PRIDE ON THE HILL
A family from Birch Hill, Sask., added a bit of green to the red-andwhite party on Parliament Hill.
Graham and Camille Getz, and their children Kelton and Kayla Mangatal, made the trip to Ottawa especially for the Canada 150 party.
They stayed (relatively) dry in the downpour thanks to their Saskatchewan Roughriders rain ponchos.
“We want to feel part of the Canada pride, being around for 150 years. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Graham said.
“And for the next big celebration, the kids will be able to bring their kids.”
It’s the family’s first trip to the capital.
“We wanted a Canada vacation and so we went to Toronto and took the train to Ottawa. We’ll fly back on the eighth to Regina to watch our Roughriders play,” he said.
“They’re playing Hamilton. That’s a for-sure victory for Saskatchewan.”
After arriving Friday night, the family tried out Beavertails then arrived at the Hill early, spending about 20 minutes in line to get to the party.
“It’s very humid here!” Camille exclaimed.
“Everyone says Saskatchewan has a dry heat,” added Graham. “Until you get here, you have no idea what that means.”
HALLELUJAH!
“I heard there was a secret chord ...”
With that familiar phrase, thousands of soggy singers added their voice to the Choir! Choir! Choir! Canada Day tribute to Leonard Cohen.
“There are no auditions for Choir! Choir! Choir!,” frontman Daveed Goldman told the crowd. “You’re all already members!”
And so they were, swaying in the mud to Cohen’s hymn to love and loss. For those who didn’t know the words, the lyrics scrolled down the giant video screen beside the main stage.
“And I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch / and love is not a victory march,
“It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah ...”
Cohen died last November in Los Angeles at age 82.
“It’s a very powerful song,” said Rashmi D’Souza who came to the Hill from Toronto to join the celebration. Wrapped in a plastic poncho covered in maple leafs, two Canadian flags tucked into her ball cap, D’Souza enthusiastically swayed and sang along.
“The language is from our Catholic Church, ” she said. “It’s a powerful message to all Canadians.”