Today, the Canadian Heritage Rivers Celebrate Canada 150 Program released a tribute to Canada in the form of a pan-Canadian short video entitled “Eau Canada”. The video celebrates Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation and the importance and value of rivers in Canada.
The St. John River Society in New Brunswick received a contribution from The Government of Canada through the Canada 150 Fund that provides funding to partners in the Canadian Heritage Rivers Program to host a local event on their river in 2017 and celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. Thirty-eight partner groups on 35 heritage rivers across the country will highlight and celebrate the importance of rivers and provide opportunities for Canadians to connect with their river heritage.
Fourteen participating river groups were invited to show their love and joy for the country by singing the national anthem on a heritage river. The film was released on June 11, Canadian Rivers Day, and will be viewed by Canadians from coast to coast to coast as they celebrate rivers at the heart of their communities. The video will also be displayed on Parliament Hill every night this summer prior to the Northern Lights sound and light show thanks to a partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Capital Experience Program.
Canada 150 celebrations present an incredible opportunity to build a sense of pride and attachment to Canada through events and recreational activities on and along Canadian Heritage Rivers. These events and activities will celebrate our rivers and their importance to Indigenous Peoples, our communities, our industries and the economy, our history and the environment.
These activities and events allow Canadians from all walks of life to enjoy and learn about their local rivers, highlight the importance of rivers as a precious freshwater resource, and build support for their stewardship into the future. They will foster a sense of pride in our nation, grow pride of place both locally and nationally, and build capacity for river communities to work together and share resources in the future.
“The 150th anniversary of Confederation provides Canadians with the wonderful opportunity to become active in their communities and celebrate the rich history of their rivers. Communities across the country will take part in events that highlight the importance of preserving our precious natural resources for future generations.”
The Honourable Mélanie Joly
Minister of Canadian Heritage
“Canadian Heritage Rivers have outstanding cultural heritage value, including their historical importance to communities and Indigenous Peoples, and their role in trade and transportation. They are a sacred national resource and tell the stories of our land and people, building a sense of identity and pride in communities across the country.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and Minister Responsible for Parks Canada
“I would like to thank the Canada 150 Fund and Parks Canada for their financial contribution towards the making of the video, as well as Terry Kelly Productions and our partners who filmed on 14 rivers in 14 days. We hope this video will remind Canadians that rivers connect us all and they are central to our nation’s past, present and future”.
Molly Demma
Project Director and Executive Director
The St. John River Society (New Brunswick)
The Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS) is Canada’s national river conservation program. Established in 1984, the CHRS gives national recognition to Canada’s outstanding rivers and encourages their long-term management to conserve their natural, cultural and recreational values for the benefit and enjoyment of Canadians, now and in the future. There are currently 42 Canadian Heritage Rivers across the country, totaling close to 12,000 km.
