Canada Day - Definition and Overview

Canada Day is Canada's national holiday. It is celebrated on July 1.

It celebrates the creation of a Canadian Confederation through the British North America Act, which was proclaimed in force effective on July 1, 1867, uniting the Province of Canada (Ontario and Quebec) with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The holiday itself was formally established in 1879 and was originally called Dominion Day. The name was changed to Canada Day on October 27, 1982.

It is a mandatory holiday across Canada for all federal institutions. It is also celebrated by all provincial governments and businesses across Canada. The Quebec provincial government formerly refused to recognize the celebration.