St. Catharines announces it will not host any Canada Day events due to hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential schools

At a city council meeting tonight, the Mayor of St. Catharines announced the city will not host any Canada Day events this year, because of the horrific discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at two former residential schools.

In-person events had been cancelled due to COVID, but now there will also be no virtual events or messages of celebration on the city’s website.

Flags at city hall will remain at half staff to honour the victims.

Last month, the remains of 215 children were found in unmarked graves at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. Last week, 751 unmarked graves were found on another former residential school in Saskatchewan.

Anger and sadness over the discoveries have led to calls to “cancel Canada Day” celebrations.

Mayor Walter Sendzik says this Canada Day is not a moment to take pride, but instead a moment for reflection, education and reconciliation.