This recount is certainly not a true historical documentation of the event. There are no accurate records nor references with which to test the accuracy of the story told. It is truly an anecdotal recall, which relies upon the memory, or lack of same, by this writer. Its intent is to paint a picture of the growth of Canada Day in Parc-Extension, in-line with the multicultural population explosion that Parc-Ex has experienced as a community over five decades.

The National Bangladeshi-Canadian Council (NBCC) was formed in the year of 2003.

Organization primary vision was to create activities for youth in the community including sports, library services and social events for the entire (borough) of Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension. Year of 2004 first events took place in presence of Federal health minister Hon. Pierre Pettigrew and city councillor Mary Deros in the Canadian heritage historical site Place de la Gare Jean Talon Parc. Starting in 2007, our current Prime Minister of Canada and MP of Papineau, the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, was a regular special guest on this celebration and he appeared several times before he became Prime minister. Since then numerous dignitary honorary guests including Canada’s Ex-Prime Minister Hon. Stephen Harper and many more public elected official greeting messages have been recite at the event ground it still taking place at this site which was quite green zone and some costume decoration by the city of Montreal. Once the first year celebration hosted and applauded by the local citizens and community organization, the NBCC and other groups became very active. Many activities in this celebration conducted by the local non-profit organization, our well known community organizer departed soul Dr. Uma Srivastav, were always sold out with capacity crowds in attendance with samosa and sweet.

In the summer of 2005 Canada’s foreign minister Hon. Pierre Pettigrew as local member of the Parliament began to hold Canada Day activities partnering with Parc-Ex Canada Day Celebration. They included a citizenship recognition and handover the charter of rights and Canada flags, singing of our national anthem at 12 noon and Canada birthday cake for all in attendance which they donated $2000 to the NBCC to allow the continuance of the local children’s activities and displays.

The Canada Day in Parc-Ex was the baby of NBCC vice-president Nazia Hossain. She became the driving force in integrating various persons and groups into the exciting program we have witnessed over the past decade. Additionally, she using personal funds from her own pocket and her family budget into maintaining the program. She has coaxed some of the local enterprises into becoming involved as sponsors, most notably the Borough Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension, India- Canada Seniors Community Associations du Quebec, the Loisirs du Parc, Parc-Extension Youth Organization, Marche Provigo, Pharmacy Spiro (than) now Dimitra Alevetsovitis ET Wissam El-Chayeb Parc-Extension Historical Society and other local service clubs.

We now expect crowds exceeding 5,000 people and multicultural activities are included to take place concurrently. This has allowed us to seek and receive substantial funding from Heritage Canada, which is a Government of Canada Agency. Those of us that were there at the beginning find it difficult to realize the magnitude of growth; it has been overwhelming and fantastic.

A few years ago we entered into what I call “The Modern Era.” Coordinator of the event Monir Hossain had taken on some significant tasks in his role of handling City of Montreal’s administration and management to support more to this great celebration. The people that volunteered were community youths and activists.

Currently we have, Lineup for Kids Zone Stage, Multi-Cultural Stage and our Main Stage. Other than Facebook page in 2019 the event was independently publish their official website as “www.canadadayparcex.ca”

In 2017, Canada celebrated 150 years Confederation. Government Canada took very special and prestigious measures to celebrate this great historical celebration. Under NBCC coordination Parc-Ex Canada Day celebration was selected for hosting this great event.

The modern event has continued to be family friendly, with a traditional free BBQ, kids’ activities, watermelon eating race, multicultural shows, Big Bands on stage, and the whole event is alcohol and smoking prohibited. You can take a STM bus number 80 and 179 and Metro blue line to station PARC or come by bicycle and use our secure bike lock-up. Come out, bring a lawn chair, bring your family and friends and have a great day celebrating our country’s Birthday!