Community spirit and joy are filling the air for a family festivity in Villeray-Parc-Extension, organized by the National Bangladeshi-Canadian Council and supported by Canadian Heritage and local partners. Families and newcomers are enjoying a Canada Day cake, free BBQ, a vibrant mix of music, folk songs, dances, and children’s activities.
The event celebrates Canadian and ethnic cultures alike.
“Every year we celebrate and I’m here I enjoy this program so well. We have beautiful music, the BBQ, after the cake, and the desert, and the watermelon. So that’s a fantastic, fantastic event,” says Gandhi Raksha who celebrates in Parc-Extension for 30 years.
“Honestly for my personal background, I am privileged to be born in Canada. My parents immigrated in Canada because for them it is the best country in the world. So I get to celebrate each year on July 1st in Parc Extension my Canadian pride and to also reflect the Canadian history as well and to celebrate Canada is a welcoming land,” says Samyha Hossain, Youth Ambassador for the National Bangladeshi-Canadian Council.
Hossain has been co-organizing this event for 20 years now alongside her parents. She takes pride and feels grateful for what the country has provided to her and her family.
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“I love this country. I’ve been to Europe, I’ve been to Asia, but here, it’s where I feel like home,” says a Montrealer.
“For me, It’s the land of opportunities. It’s the land where my parents were able to give me a chance to be able to express my opinions without any fear. Canada is the country who offered me that opportunity. I have to be thankful for my parents for that,” adds Hossain.
“Canada is a nice country. Clean, we are not worried for anything, it’s safe. Everything is perfect”, reflects Raksha.