Minister outlines Canada Day events

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Tom Lush, along with Tina Fagan, president of the Celebrate Canada Committee for Newfoundland and Labrador and Dennis O�Keefe, chair of the St. John�s Celebrate Canada Committee, today outlined plans for this year�s St. John�s Canada Day celebrations taking place on Confederation Hill on July 1.

"This is the third year Canada Day celebrations have been held on Confederation Hill and this year�s event promises to be better than ever with the Marconi Wireless Wizard Kite Festival activities taking place on the field across from the hill," said Minister Lush. "We encourage everyone to come out and celebrate Canada Day in the people�s house, the Confederation Building."

Tina Fagan, president of the Celebrate Canada Committee for Newfoundland and Labrador, is pleased to be a part of the yearly event which allows Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to get out and celebrate what it means to be a Canadian.

"As president of the Celebrate Canada Committee for Newfoundland and Labrador, I encourage people to come out and celebrate Canada Day and to make it a family event," said Ms. Fagan. "Regardless of age, each and every one of us has something to celebrate in being a Canadian."

Dennis O�Keefe, chair of the St. John�s Celebrate Canada Committee, is pleased to be hosting Canada Day in conjunction with provincial and federal counterparts.

"Through the efforts of almost 100 volunteers and through nine community groups, we�ve joined together with our provincial and federal partners to ensure Canada Day celebrations are fun for all," said Mr. O�Keefe.

Minister Lush spoke of the importance of remembering those who fought for us to have the freedom we enjoy today as Canadian citizens.

"As we celebrate Canada Day, let us not forget the great sacrifice made by the brave soldiers of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment at Beaumont Hamel on July 1, 1916. In celebrating our Canadian citizenship, let us not forget those who fought for our freedom."

Various activities are planned throughout the day, with the Citizenship Ceremony to begin at 12:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Confederation Building. A separate schedule of events follows.

Media contact:
Tansy Mundon, Intergovernmental Affairs, (709) 729-1341
Tina Fagan, Celebrate Canada Day Committee, (709) 722-1721
Bernadette Walsh, City of St. John�s, (709) 576-8537

2001 06 29                                                                 9:50 a.m.