I visited Ontario, Canada with my family in 2019. I had visited once before but this time the visit was even more meaningful as I was able to celebrate and participate in Canada’s independence Day festivities.
My research shows that the City of Mississauga is one of the most diverse cities in Canada, with over 53.2% of residents were born in another country.
And it was evident to me by the many languages I heard on the streets.
There were public celebrations all across Mississauga. I decided to visit Port Credit to enjoy the evening festivities.
Port Credit is an international border entry point into Canada by water. I was curious about the name as it is unusual.
It was originally a settlement of the Mississauga Ojibwe First Nations band and a trading post established in 1720 for the exchange of goods from the Europeans for furs trapped by the Mississaugas.
The river takes its name from the custom of trading with natives based on a system of credit.
1. PORT CREDIT HARBOR
Port Credit is an international border entry point into Canada by water. I was curious about the name as it is unusual.
It was originally a settlement of the Mississauga Ojibwe First Nations band and a trading post established in 1720 for the exchange of goods from the Europeans for furs trapped by the Mississaugas.
The river takes its name from the custom of trading with natives based on a system of credit.
I started off at the Port Credit Harbour. The boats were festooned with Canadian Flags with people on their decks drinking beer, partying and awaiting the fireworks.
FUN FACT: One of the oldest settlements in Ontario, Port Credit is anchored by a harbour on Lake Ontario.
2. PORT CREDIT LIGHTHOUSE
I walked down the Credit River to the Credit River Lighthouse, the iconic red and white lighthouse, built in 1991 to replace the original lighthouse destroyed by fire in 1936, it is a working lighthouse visible from 15 miles out on Lake Ontario. I am not sure if it was lit up for Canada Day but it looked very festive.
3. LAKESHORE ROAD, DOWNTOWN PORT CREDIT
I visited the main street with a diverse variety of shops and restaurants decorated with Canadian flags and people dressed in Canada’s national colors of red and white.
4. POUTINE AND BEAVERTAILS AT PORT CREDIT MEMORIAL PARK
I then headed down to the Port Credit Memorial Park and feasted on some Poutine and Beaverstail, both specialities of Canada
5. CANADA DAY CONCERT AT PORT CREDIT MEMORIAL PARK
I enjoyed listening to“O Canada”, the National Anthem sung by a Canadian musician and music by various local brands.
FUN FACT: O Canada became the official national anthem on July 1, 1980
6. FIREWORKS AT AT PORT CREDIT MEMORIAL PARK
I ended the evening enjoying the spectacular display of fireworks.
I loved experiencing Canada’s National Holiday celebrations.
There are a lot of similarities with the US Independence Day celebrations with the fireworks, flags and food.
But it was still different and unique and very memorable.
ADDITIONAL FACTS ABOUT CANADA AND CANADA DAY
- Canada Day was first celebrated on July 1, 1867
- Canada Day was initially called Dominion Day
- It was the first MILESTONE on the path to FULL INDEPENDENCE from ENGLAND
- Canada’s name is from an indigenous language
- “Kanata”, meaning “village” or “settlement”
- Canada declared independence from British Rule 1982
- Canada is the SECOND LARGEST COUNTRY in the world
- In 1971, Canada officially implemented an open immigration policy
- One in five Canadian households are MULTILINGUAL
- 20% of the population are IMMIGRANTS
- Canada has been ranked as one of the most WELCOMING COUNTRIES for IMMIGRANTS
