Chapleau Still Holding Canada Day Celebrations Despite Request to Cancel

The Township of Chapleau's moving ahead with Canada Day celebrations - after a call to cancel amid the recent discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves or burial sites near two former residential schools in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Chapleau Mayor Michael Levesque says Council was asked by "several concerned individuals" to cancel the celebrations "as a sign of respect and recognition" of that discovery.

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sidestepped calls to "cancel" Canada Day amid these revelations, but stated Canadians should respect those who choose not to celebrate this year, and that Canada Day should serve as "a time of reflection on what we've achieved as a country but on what more we have to do" to address and improve from the country's historic wrongs.

Chapleau's Canada Day activities include a virtual angling event - which is already underway, continuing to July 4th - with more details on Facebook, at Chapleau Canada Day 2021.