News From the North

With June halfway over, our countdown to the July 1 festivities has begun. Here's how we’re celebrating the very first virtual Canada Day this year.

Canada Day Across America

Due to COVID-19 this year’s Canada Day will look a little different but our focus hasn’t changed. Though we can't gather in person, we’ll be virtually connecting and uniting with Canadians and friends of Canada from across the U.S. and around the world as we all celebrate from home together.
 
This week we launched the official countdown to our Canada Day Across America event. Discover the many ways you can stay involved and show your affection for Canada, including:

• Sharing Your Canada Day Message: Submit a short video message wishing Canada “Happy Birthday” for us to share on our social media channels on July 1^st. Learn more here.
• Supporting Your Neighbours: We have all witnessed the impact of COVID-19 on our families, friends, co-workers and communities. Consider making a donation to United Way Chapters across the U.S. that have activated special programs to provide needed aid in our local communities: https://unitedwaynca.org/canadaday.
• Staying Connected: We want to see your red & white! Share your Canada Day pictures with us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram, tagging @Connect2Canada and using the hashtag #CanadaDayUSA.
• Celebrating Canada from Home: Enjoy a number of virtual experiences by following Canadian Heritage’s livestreamed events from across Canada. Learn more at canada.ca/canada-day.

More for You…

To Read
As we navigate a global pandemic, we continue to see inspiring examples of Canada-U.S. cooperation. Along the border, many businesses are shifting their production in order to adapt the new reality and support their communities. Read about how Cantilever Distillery and Hotel in Minnesota mixed things up to keep their community healthy. Online, Canada and the U.S. are working together to prevent threats and protect citizens from bad actors. Read the latest in our COVID-19 series on our bilateral cyber security partnership.
 
To Watch
June to August marks Pride Season in Canada. While Pride events around the world have changed, COVID-19 hasn’t stopped us from celebrating the resiliency, spirit & contributions of LGBTQ2 people at home and abroad. This year, we’ve partnered with the National Film Board to provide a selection of LGBTQ2+ films free-to-stream from your home, available until the end of the month.
 
For more events online, check back often for updates to our virtual events calendar.
 
To Learn
Did you know, one third of the food that we eat depends on pollinators like bees? On June 2, we installed two beehives on the roof of the Embassy, a great compliment to our Monarch butterfly gardens. Our busy bees are have settled in to their new home and are now spending their days fanning out across Washington, D.C., to collect nectar, pollinate the flowers and contribute to a healthier environment. Follow Connect2Canada on Instagram and bee on the lookout for some sweet updates.