Backroads celebrates Canada Day as a reflection of the country’s history, diverse cultures and iconic landscapes—honoring the voices and stories that continue to shape Canada today.
This July 1, we celebrate the anniversary of Canada’s Confederation—159 years of it, to be precise. Indeed, on July 1, 1867, Canada became a country composed of four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Six more provinces and three territories have joined the Confederation since then to create the Canada we all know and love today.
The Canada Day we celebrate is far more than the signing of a constitution, however. It’s a holistic celebration of everything that makes our country wonderful: the natural beauty and the diversity of people and cultures. Concretely, it’s Canadians from coast to coast to coast coming together to honor our core values: freedom, equality, peace, respect, openness, maple and hockey. Jokes aside—like all nations, we can use at least one day a year to pause and reflect on our progress as a country.
Having lived in Ottawa—Canada’s capital city—for over 10 years to study and work, I was fortunate to attend the biggest Canada Day celebration every year. It was always iconic: a huge stage directly set up on the lawn of the Parliament Buildings, Canada’s top artists playing live music, tens of thousands of Canadians singing along and an impressive fireworks show above the wide Ottawa River to wrap up the day.
Indigenous Voices and Heritage
In recent years, our government’s commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been at the forefront of these celebrations. This Commission was established to share the truths of generations of Inuit, Métis and First Nations people who suffered in the residential schools across Canada for decades. These efforts have changed our Canada Day celebrations, especially since 2021. Now we don’t only see crowds of people wearing white and red (our official Canadian colors); we also see waves of orange T-shirts to honor the Indigenous children who were lost in the residential school system. We listen to their stories and face the mistakes we made as a country. We also see and hear more and more Indigenous artists who share their art in their native or local languages. Looking to widen your knowledge and discover Canada’s cultural diversity? Check out some of these Indigenous musicians: Elisapie, Riit, Samian, Aysanabee and Tanya Tagaq, just to name a few.
It’s our turn and responsibility to leave space for their culture to take the front stage again. We can learn so much from the Indigenous people who inhabited the land long before the Europeans came along. In fact, ‘Canada’ comes from the Iroquoian word ‘kanata’ meaning ‘village’. Similarly, ‘Ottawa’ and ‘Quebec’ both derive from the Algonquin words meaning respectively ‘to trade’ and ‘narrow passage’.
On this day, and all year long, we should celebrate the diversity of cultures that form the rich fabric of Canada.
Backroads in Canada
For adventure seekers, Canada offers some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world—along with some of the most welcoming and polite locals (if I do say so myself)! Recognizing this, Backroads has been running trips in Canada since 1980. An operational hub was established in Canmore, Alberta, and now employs 150 office and field staff from across Canada. We also work with dozens of local hotels, restaurants, guides and companies to support our trips across five provinces.
From coast to coast, Canada showcases some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. From British Columbia’s Gulf Islands to the eastern shores of Newfoundland, and through the Rockies, Quebec and Nova Scotia, every trip reveals breathtaking landscapes and storybook scenery. These are places where nature feels endless.
Adventure and Culture from Coast to Coast
Canada Day is the perfect time to choose to embark on these adventures—not just to celebrate the country’s natural beauty, but to connect with the land and the diverse cultures that define it. From mountain highs to coastal calm, from Indigenous heritage to French and English influences, Canada is a country of stories, strength and wide-open spaces. Whether you decide to explore it on foot or on two wheels, you’re not just visiting—you’re adding a tile to the beautiful cultural mosaic of our country.
Happy Canada Day to all who celebrate!
