Montreal's Canada Day parade celebrates rainbow of cultures

2 Jul 2023

“We celebrate the nation. It’s diversified, it has beautiful cultures and it’s open for all."

Published Jul 01, 2023  •  Last updated 3 hours ago  •  3 minute read

Canada Day - Figure 1
Photo Montreal Gazette
Participants entertain the crowd during the Canada Day parade in Montreal on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Photo by Graham Hughes /The Canadian Press

Suping Xie peered west along Ste-Catherine St. on Saturday morning looking for the floats representing the Chinese community.

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“We just wanted to celebrate the day for Canada, ‘cause many Chinese people are there” Xie said, holding a Canadian flag in one hand as she and two friends sat down on a nearby bench to rest. “Many friends are over there. I want to see them.”

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A rainbow of cultures was on display as Montreal’s Canada Day parade began at the corner of Fort St. under dark skies. Thunder echoed in the distance and raindrops threatened, but inclement weather wasn’t enough to prevent the three elderly women from taking part in the festivities for the country they have called home for more than 20 years.

Canada Day - Figure 3
Photo Montreal Gazette

After taking a few years off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were excited to join together with fellow citizens from all backgrounds and show their allegiance to the maple leaf.

It’s important “because we live here,” Xie said. “We hope Canada is more and more good, more and more great. I love Canada.”

Before long they were treated to a dragon dance as part of the Chinese community contingent, as well as floats, displays and dances representing Canada’s Caribbean, Peruvian, Sikh, Indonesian, Irish, Scandinavian, Mauritian and Filipino communities, among others. The parade route led to Place du Canada, where cultural activities were planned, along with caricatures, face-painting and cake.

Members of the RCMP during the Canada Day parade in Montreal on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Photo by Graham Hughes /The Canadian Press

Sean Rogers was up from North Carolina with his three children, Gaby, Camille and Sebastian. Originally from British Columbia, Rogers remains a Canadian at heart and wants to share that heritage with his children.

Canada Day - Figure 4
Photo Montreal Gazette

“They’re Canadian, but they don’t have much Canadian culture,” he said. “I thought it would be nice to get out and see it.”

His hope for the day was for the kids to “have a little experience of how Canada is — multicultural — and to celebrate. I’m proud to be Canadian. The U.S. is very divisive. Canada has its own issues, but I hope that on the whole we’re a little bit more kind and considerate.”

Adriana Shervan and her mother, Bita Sarkhosh, attend the Canada Day Parade whenever they can. Sarkosh immigrated here from Iran in the 1980s, and her daughter was born in Montreal a decade later.

“We celebrate the nation. It’s diversified, it has beautiful cultures and it’s open for all,” said Shervan, who is 28. “It’s a country of freedom, independence and free will. And it is a privilege and a blessing to be in this nation.”

“We should be proud and be celebrating Canada every day,” said her mom. “It’s important. It teaches the whole world that we are all one human (race), no matter where we come from. I hope everyone sees that.”

Canada Day - Figure 5
Photo Montreal Gazette
Participants entertain the crowd during a Canada Day parade in Montreal on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Photo by Graham Hughes /The Canadian Press

Elena Elola was in town visiting her daughter Lysa, who is studying biochemistry at Université du Québec à Montréal.

“The unity of all the peoples who live here is what we notice,” said Elena, who is from Guadeloupe, but lived for many years in France. “We have travelled a lot. I lived in Paris, and did my studies there. Montreal is a fantastic city. I would like to establish myself here, her, too.

“It’s so international, there’s all cultures. I find Canadians very welcoming and friendly. I’m very happy she’s studying here. When I leave, I’m not worried. I know she’s OK.”

Jorge Zurita Jr. was attending the parade with his parents — who both wore “Canada”-emblazoned caps — and little brother. The family moved to Montreal from Mexico five years ago, but already feels a deep attachment to their new home.

Canada Day - Figure 6
Photo Montreal Gazette

“We live here, we’re part of the country,” Zurita said.

His father referred to Canada as “our new country, our new patria. Your patria has to stay close to your heart.”

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