Canada Day: To celebrate or not to celebrate?

Author

The Pulse by DB8
July 04, 2023

Canada turned 156 this past weekend, and while some Canadians were eager to rock their red and white and return to regular pre-pandemic celebrations, this was one party that not everyone was hyped to celebrate.

The Pulse Results (55 Votes) 📈

Side A 87.27% - It is important to celebrate Canada Day, we should be proud to be Canadian

Side B 12.73% - Celebrating Canada Day is offensive considering the country’s violent history

Poll closed: July 5, 2023

Published on: July 1, 2023
Published by: CBC News 

Oh, Canada.

Every year, on July 1st, Canadians from coast to coast, raise our Tim Hortons double-doubles in a toast to our country, embracing the beauty of multiculturalism, universal healthcare, and our overwhelmingly polite citizens.

While there are some things Canadians unanimously agree on (like the fact that we produce the world's greatest hockey players)... It seems that our once-united nation has become increasingly polarized in recent years, questioning the notion that "Canada is the best."

As Canada celebrated its 156th birthday this past weekend, many joyfully embraced the festivities, proudly rocking their red and white maple leafs for the first time since the pre-pandemic days... Many others opted to sit out this year's birthday party, arguing that Canada Day overlooks a painful history and that celebrating is offensive, given our country's violent history, particularly its treatment of Indigenous peoples.

This clash of opinions has sparked a national reflection on the essence of Canadian identity and the responsibility of acknowledging and reconciling with the darker chapters of our past.

Canada Day is over now, but the question remains... To celebrate or not to celebrate.

The Debate Showdown

Side A: It is important to celebrate Canada Day, we should be proud to be Canadian

  • It is okay to simultaneously celebrate the good aspects of Canada (inclusivity, universal healthcare, democracy, human rights, etc) while also acknowledging our dark history. We have come such a long way since then and it would be a shame to not celebrate all that we are today.

  • Canada is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. We have become such a beacon of hope for people looking to start a new life in a safe space, and we should be so proud of that. Celebrating Canada fosters a sense of national unity and belonging, bringing together Canadians from all diverse backgrounds to celebrate their shared identity.

  • Most countries around the world have a dedicated day to celebrate their nation. A country is stronger when it is united, and we have been so divided for far too long. The celebration of Canada Day promotes patriotism and encourages citizens to learn from our history, and to actively participate in building a stronger and more inclusive future together.

Side B: Celebrating Canada Day is offensive given the country’s violent history

  • Celebrating Canada Day without acknowledging the country's violent history paints a distorted picture. We're not doing ourselves any favours by pretending that we're a flawless nation. By confronting the uncomfortable truths and actively working towards reconciliation, we can move towards a better, more inclusive Canada, one that we can one day proudly celebrate together.

  • Systemic injustices against Indigenous communities are still happening TODAY. From the shameful legacy of residential schools to ongoing issues like lack of clean water and the safety of Indigenous women, turning a blind eye while waving our flags on Canada Day is downright disrespectful. It feels like a slap in the face to party on and ignore the fact that so many are suffering.

  • New immigrants are treated better than our Indigenous peoples in Canada… of course they have plenty to celebrate when they come here. We unfortunately can’t say the same for those that were here long before most of us were.

Previous Debate

Cursive is making a comeback in Ontario: 'Write' or wrong move?

Butterfly clips and platform sneakers aren’t the only 90s trends making a comeback recently… The Ontario government just announced that cursive writing is being reintroduced as a mandatory part of the Ontario elementary school curriculum starting in September 2023.

debates.db8.com/p/cursive-writing-making-comeback

Previous Pulse Results (57 Votes) 📈

Side A 42.11% - Cursive writing is outdated and archaic, this energy needs to be focused elsewhere

Side B 57.89% - Cursive writing is a critical and fundamental life skill, it is about time they brought it back

Poll closed: June 30, 2023

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