'Changing the course of history': How Winnipeggers celebrated Canada Day
In-person Canada Day festivities made a return on Friday for the first time since the pandemic started, with residents bringing back old traditions and creating new ones.
Originally from Sri Lanka, Sachin Rodrigo chose to spend his first Canada Day at The Forks.
"All I have to say is like, I love Canada so much, because of, like I said, the diversified culture and all that happening. I really love this country, and you guys should visit here. It's awesome," said Rodrigo.
This year's celebration at The Forks looks a bit different. Instead of the traditional event, The Forks is hosting a "New Day" celebration, aiming for a more inclusive and reflective event.
"You can see already today a lot of our people are healing, and we're changing the course of history right now by The Forks recognizing Indigenous people on July 1," said Wayne Mason Jr., who was watching traditional drumming and dancing.
For many places in Winnipeg, this year marks the first Canada Day with in-person events since the pandemic started -- something the St. Norbert Farmers' Market is glad to have back.
"Great to be here again on Canada Day. We've obviously taken a two-year hiatus from bringing out local vendors and the community, and it's so nice to celebrate Canada Day together as a community,” said Danielle Mondor, the market's executive director.
The return to in-person festivities is being celebrated across the city, including at Assiniboia Downs.
"You can see everybody's smiling faces. Two years in the making, but it's well worth it. It's good to be out now in about," said Kim Wilson, who was spending Canada Day at Assiniboia Downs.
Regardless of where people gathered on July 1, the focus was on the country's accomplishments, history and future.
"It's important to recognize it and all the diversity and the cultures that come along now with it this day and age, and it's just a good time," said Wilson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW 'Oh my God, you're my brother': Manitoba man discovers six unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
Canucks hold off Oilers for 4-3 win in Game 3
Brock Boeser had two goals and an assist, and the Vancouver Canucks hung on for a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise's disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.