Landmark Winnipeg Canada Day celebrations rebranding to 'New Day at The Forks' draws mixed response
Instead of the traditional Canada Day party, The Forks is planning a reimagined 'New Day' event this July 1 – a move that has been met with support and criticism in Winnipeg.
The polarizing issue is drawing comments from many politicians, including one former federal cabinet minister who played a vital role in the creation of The Forks.
'New Day at The Forks' is what the July 1 festivities at The Forks are being called this year. It is a reimagined approach to the day, aiming to provide a welcoming space for all communities in the wake of discoveries of unmarked graves at residential school sites across the country last year.
The Forks said it made the decision based on roundtable discussions with Indigenous peoples, newcomers and youth about the future of Canada Day celebrations.
"It did give us a chance to reflect and to have some time to do some consultation to sort of look at what our Canada Day had looked like in the past and what it could look like in the future," Clare MacKay, vice president of strategic initiatives and executive director of The Forks Foundation, previously told CTV News.
But not all are sold on the change.
Lloyd Axworthy, a former Winnipeg MP and federal cabinet minister, played an important role in the creation of The Forks. He said with the challenges the country is facing, there hasn't been a more important time to come together to celebrate Canada Day.
"This is a time where it's really important that we still gather together and just sometimes to celebrate who we are, where we've been, and also what kind of challenges we have to meet in the future," he said.
On Monday, mayoral candidate Jenny Motkaluk tweeted in response to the changes at The Forks that she will be attending "actual Canada Day parties."
Motkaluk was unavailable for an interview Tuesday.
In a statement to CTV News, The Forks said Canada Day is not cancelled.
"In fact, we are adding more content, more stages, and more places to gather to host an inclusive, fun day for all," the statement reads. "It seems that this has been lost in the message that some people are getting, and that is unfortunate. Programming is focused on daytime activities and entertainment that is participatory, celebratory, or reflective depending on where it is on site."
Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said he will be attending the 'New Day' at The Forks.
"I had a chance to connect with The Forks earlier today and I'm going to be going to The Forks and celebrating Canada Day," Bowman said. "I'm also going to be taking time out to reflect on what we need to do as Canadians to continue to build bridges between each other and to the future."
Premier Heather Stefanson said she'll be going to multiple events on July 1. She said while Manitobans need to recognize the country's challenges and talk about reconciliation, there are some people who have never seen a traditional Canada Day.
"There's also many new Canadians that come to Canada, that come to Manitoba, that want to celebrate coming to Manitoba and coming to Canada," she said. "So I think for those in our community, it's very important that we celebrate Canada Day."
As for Axworthy, he said he has talked to senior officials at The Forks and would like to see changes in the future.
"I think it could have been something that really incorporated some of the things they wanted to do but without replacing it," he said.
CTV News reached out to numerous Indigenous organizations including the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and Southern Chiefs' Organization, but has not heard back.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.