Starting on August 4, the Government of Canada began counting down the last 150 days of 2016 before the official launch of celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, according to the federal Heritage Ministry.
Julie Dabrusin, MP for Toronto-Danforth, on behalf of Minister of Canadian heritage Melanie Joly, announced the start of the 150-day countdown.
The Heritage Minister was at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., to begin counting. According to the Ministry, the Government is collaborating with an array of partners, including the CBC and Radio Canada, to promote the event.
Both have special web pages devoted to Canada 150 activities. The Heritage Ministry is devoted to the countdown and promises activities and 鈥渟urprises that will appear spontaneously throughout the country that will delight and surprise you.鈥�
The Ministry is inviting all Canadians to take part in the countdown through community events or via social media. Canadians can follow Canada 150 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram as well as the Canada 150 website and links through CBC and Radio Canada websites.
One activity Canadians may consider is planting the Canada 150 tulip bulbs this fall. Back in May the official tulip of Canada铆s 150th anniversary, called Canada 150, was unveiled in Ottawa. The National Capital Commission has partnered with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Home Hardware and Communities in Bloom for the selection and distribution of the Canada 150 tulip.
Home Hardware is the exclusive retailer of this special tulip bulb, and will begin stocking the tulip bulbs as of September. Fall is the optimal time for planting tulip bulbs. More than 200,000 Canada 150 tulips bloomed in Ottawa this spring.
The Canada 150 tulip has an elegant white bloom with red flames, resembling the Canadian flag.
