Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario’s Post

Do you know what Civic Holiday is and why we celebrate it? Civic Holiday, observed on the first Monday of August, is a unique day celebrated across Canada to foster community spirit and local heritage. While it’s not a statutory holiday everywhere, many Canadians enjoy a day off to engage in various summer activities. Each region in Canada may have different names for this day and ways of celebrating, but the spirit of community and relaxation is universal. The holiday dates back to the mid-1850s. Initially, it was a day for local residents to take a break from work and enjoy recreational activities, a tradition that has continued and evolved over the years. The term “Civic” refers to municipalities, as the holiday is not mandated by the federal government but is observed by many local governments and communities across Canada. Canadians often spend the day picnicking, barbecuing, or enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. Many cities host festivals featuring music, food, tours, and local art displays. Some regions celebrate with parades and fireworks, adding to the festive atmosphere. Civic Holiday is a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the summer, connect with your community, and learn more about the local history and culture of the region you live in. It’s a day to take a break, have fun, and appreciate the diversity and spirit of Canada. So, how did you celebrate #CivicHoliday this year? Share with us! #Risktobeculturallycurious #Neverstoplearning

Australia Day - what is that all about, bbq's and beer? Australia Day is celebrated annually on January 26th and marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788. This event marked the beginning of British colonization in Australia. While Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the British fleet, it is also a day to celebrate the diverse cultures, achievements, and contributions of all Australians. For many Australians, Australia Day is a time for community events, barbecues, fireworks, concerts, and citizenship ceremonies. It's a day when people come together to celebrate the country's heritage and reflect on its past, present, and future. However, Australia Day is also a day of reflection and debate, particularly for Indigenous Australians. For Indigenous peoples, January 26th marks the beginning of colonization, dispossession of land, and the loss of culture and traditional ways of life. Some Indigenous Australians refer to Australia Day as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day" and use the occasion to raise awareness about the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities and advocate for reconciliation and social justice. In recent years, there has been growing discussion and debate about the date of Australia Day, with calls to change it to a date that is more inclusive and sensitive to Indigenous Australians. This debate reflects broader conversations about national identity, reconciliation, and the recognition of Indigenous rights and histories in Australia. Would you like to plan a visit? Get in touch now, stop putting it off! #australia #travelconsultant #visitaustralia

What did Canada Day used to be known as pre-1983? Today, July 1st, marks the anniversary of Canada’s confederation in 1867 when three British colonies - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada (later to become Ontario and Quebec) - united to form the 'Dominion of Canada'. Originally called ‘Dominion Day’, the holiday was renamed as ‘Canada Day’ in 1982, seen as a modern shift away from colonial-era terminology. The interesting difference between a ‘colony’ and a ‘dominion’ is that the latter has attained a degree of self-governance whilst remaining loyal - in this instance - to the ethos of the British family, or Crown. Functions of the Crown in the Dominions are not undertaken personally by the sovereign but by a governor-general, appointed by the sovereign (Oxford University Press). Mary Simon is the current governor general of Canada, and is the first Indigenous appointment to the role. She became the 30th governor general of Canada on 26th July 2021. CELEBRATIONS As with many celebrations around the world, fireworks play a central role, with people gathering in parks and waterfronts across the country to see the night skies light up. Many Canadians dress in the national colours of red & white, attending parties and cultural activities, which may include historical reenactments (Halifax) or Indigenous ceremonies (Winnipeg). According to website ‘Ramblyn Jazz’, the day brings mixed feelings amongst Indigenous cultures, due to historical injustices. Though Indigenous communities frequently do use the day to showcase their cultures and contributions to Canadian life. In Montreal, where I spent two-years, this year’s main event will be a family focussed affair in the Old Port of Montreal, which is a fun and vibrant part of the city, full of bars, restaurants and a zip wire for those feeling more daring. In addition to the main celebrations at the Old Port, various Montreal neighbourhoods organise their own Canada Day events. For example, Pierrefonds-Roxboro on the opposite shore of Montreal island, hosts a parade, amusement park, and fireworks. Every Destination Has A Story… #canadaday #exploretheworld #storytelling #travel

Jane's Walk returns in May to #cities, #towns and #neighbourhoods in #Canada and around the #world. Jane’s Walk is an #annual #festival of #free, #community-led #walking #conversations #inspired by #JaneJacobs. On the #first #weekend of May every year, Jane’s Walk festivals take place in #hundreds of cities around the world. Jane’s Walks #encourage #people to #share #stories about their neighbourhoods, #discover #unseen #aspects of their #communities, and use #walking as a way to #connect with their #neighbours. Interested to #lead a Jane’s Walk or want to know more about festivals near you? reach out to [email protected] https://janeswalk.org/ #placebased #bioregional #intergenerational #intercultural #international #intersectional #interbeing #urban #renewal #culturalheritage #naturalheritage #livingheritage #walkable #onehealth #wellbeing #inclusive #planning #education #AQ #regenerative #accessible #affordable #socialconnection #placemaking #resilientcommunities #activeliving #sdgs #naturepositive #interrelated #citybuilding #ecosystem #RQ

"National and Religious Holidays in Istanbul: Challenges and Free Public Transportation"In Istanbul, public transportation - the metro, buses, ferries, and trams - is free during national and religious holidays. These days, especially during the summer months, the public transportation system gets excessively crowded. Trains, ferries, buses, and other vehicles become packed with people rushing to the beaches, Bosphorus, and islands. However, the issue of cleanliness persists, with inhabitants of some neighborhoods leaving parks, beaches, and islands in a mess, leaving the clean-up to local volunteers as the municipality staff struggle to keep up. The question arises - do other countries have a similar practice of offering free public transportation for everyone during their respective holiday periods?

How do you support the values that are important to you when visiting a state where the political climate isn't to your liking? I found lots of ways to do so in Nashville. Find out how in my latest report in TravelAge West. (Thanks to Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp & Virgin Hotels Nashville for your help!)

Please read this heartwarming and interesting article about tourism and hospitlaity in Jerusalem during the war. Praying for peace in the Middle East!

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration for many people around the world, but did you know that there are some very different and interesting ways to mark this festive occasion? From piñatas to pig roasts, every country has its own unique traditions and customs that reflect their culture and history. If you want to learn more about how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world, check out this website that has information, recipes, crafts, and activities for 31 countries. You might be surprised by what you discover! 🎄🌎🎁 https://lnkd.in/eCFBJXZy #clearviewway #team #greatplacetowork #chrimbo #christmasuk #christmasatclearview #clearviewchristmascountdown #christmas #christmas2023 #christmascheer #Clearviewrelocation #aquamovingservices #Clearviewimmigration #clearviewconsultancy #relocationservices #relocationspecialist #relocationexperts #clearviewway #clearviewconsultancy #relocations #relocationtips #relocationassistance #relocation #Immigration #visaimmigration

🎉🗓️ Planning Memorable Family Events with Notion! From birthdays to reunions, let Notion be your secret to stress-free celebrations! Stay organized, collaborate seamlessly, and create unforgettable moments with your loved ones. 🤗💕 Ask me how! #NotionForFamily #NotionFamily #UnforgettableMemories #FamilyEvents #NotionPlanning

An interesting case study in relation to responses to #Gentrification #OverTourism #DestinationManagement #UrbanPlanning #ResponsibleTourism #SustainableTourism