Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day is fêted on July 1st across the country. July 1st marks the anniversary of the creation of the union of the British North America provinces in a alliance under the name of Canada - that's the nominal explanation, but Canada Day also means fireworks and the year's biggest national party. The Canada Day holiday is akin to the U.S. July 4th festivity but on a more Canadian scale.

Schools, banks, government offices and many other stores and businesses are closed on .Call ahead to restaurants, stores and tourist attractions to verify Canada Day hours.

Typically, Canada Day celebrations incorporate parades, fireworks, barbecues and other get-togethers. Check local tourist sites or the Government of Canada list of Canada Day celebrations.

In Quebec, Canada Day is not celebrated as fervently as in the rest of the country. Federal offices, schools, banks are closed but many populace in Quebec appear at July 1st as "moving day," as this date has been historically the end of lease agreements. So if you have agreements it will end on this day.

Visitors other than the U.S. have always needed a passport to enter Canada. On the other hand, because of a friendly boundary crossing agreement between Canada and the United States, Canada Border Services did not want U.S. citizens to present a passport to enter Canada. This friendly boundary crossing agreement used to be mutual; however, now the WHTI requires that U.S. citizens have a passport to return home. In this way, passport requirements for Canada and U.S.borders are different on paper, but, are in practice, the same. Canada will not allow a U.S. citizen into the country that does not have the proper documentation to return home.

See below for a listing all the national public holidays in Canada

Aug 1-    First Monday of August Civic Holiday: celebrated by most provinces.

Sept 5-   Labors Day (first Mon. of Sept.)

Oct 10- Thanksgiving Day (2nd Mon of Oct)

Nov 11-Remembrance Day (banks and government offices closed, but most business & schools open)

Dec 25 -Christmas Day

Dec 26 -Boxing Day (most stores open)