Canada’s 150th anniversary to be decentralized celebration

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

OTTAWA, CANADA — Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017 provides an opportunity for the nation’s travel industry — but it’s likely to be a highly decentralized celebration if a panel discussion at

OTTAWA, CANADA — Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017 provides an opportunity for the nation’s travel industry — but it’s likely to be a highly decentralized celebration if a panel discussion at the annual meeting of the Travel Industry Association of Canada here today is any indication.

Although a “Canada 150” office has been set up by the Canadian government, its role is that of an incubator helping other organizations and individuals organize celebrations, according to Andrew Campbell, its recently appointed Senior Executive Director. His group will create a forum to bring various players together, he says, ranging from industry associations to community foundations. “The government will not control the celebration, but it needs to be the inspiring cheerleader,” he said.

He contrasted that approach to the country’s centennial celebration in 1967, when government-initiated projects like Expo 67 in Montreal and a cross-country centennial train were major undertakings. “The big difference this time is that citizens will be actively participating rather than passively taking in what others have created.”

That sort of approach is represented by the Canada 2017 Give Back Movement, designed to encourage individual Canadians to celebrate by giving back to the country in ways that are meaningful to each of them. The movement is a labor of love for Ottawa-based government relations consultant Phil von Finckenstein, who created the Give Back program to act as a catalyst and clearinghouse for individual initiatives. He’s enlisting the help of corporations and political parties to promote the idea of individual efforts.

“People are interested in the idea of giving back,” he said. “We expect to break the mold by not having the federal government as a centralizing organization.”

He admitted that Canadians aren’t thinking about the anniversary yet – but companies are, he said.

One of those is the Fairmont hotel chain. General Manager Robert Mercure of the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City told the meeting that his company is mounting events tied to the legacy of its historic hotels, with budgets already adjusted at each property and at head office. He noted the hotel is keen to mark the national birthday because of its ties to the Canadian Pacific Railroad, which helped unite the population.

Meanwhile, Campbell added, young people in particular will develop initiatives on their own. One example: using mobile phones to light up the Trans Canada Trail, a network of walking trails that crosses the country.

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Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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