MONTREAL — Hala Darawan has lived in Canada for more than 25 years.
A native of Syria, she took to the streets to march in this year’s Canada Day parade after experiencing what she described as a new feeling of openness and inclusion when the federal government launched an ambitious policy towards refugees last winter.
“I feel like we’re being noticed now,” she said.
This year, Canada’s multicultural mosaic was on full display as thousands of people lined Sainte-Catherine Street on the country’s 149th birthday.
Floats representing cultures from all over the world, including China, Scandinavia and Venezuela, meandered down the street.
Canada’s second-largest city has long had a complex relationship with Canada Day, as Saint Jean-Baptiste’s feast day occurs a week earlier and has come to be regarded by sovereignists as a national holiday.
Nevertheless, that didn’t mean that the streets weren’t packed for the anniversary of Confederation.
Fawn Hill, who drove in from Longueuil, said she was “proud of my country, and celebrating it.”
“I’m not moving today, I’m here to celebrate at the parade,” she said.
Friday’s events are likely just a hint of the celebration that will happen next year, when the country celebrates 150 years of Confederation and Montreal hosts festivities for its 375th anniversary.