Canada Day in London

I remember coming across the Canada Day in London website way back when I was researching this trip, billed as the largest celebration outside of Canada and in a setting like Trafalgar Square it looked like the place to be on July 1st. Somebody from Canada must have some serious connections and be a paperwork ace because turning Trafalgar Square into a massive beer garden and concert is pretty unreal, all for quiet unassuming Canada.
Australia day was just at a bunch of Walkabout Pubs, pfft.

We started off with some Caesars Gen whipped up with some Clamato and spicy vodka from the Canadian store. Then it was on to the familiar over priced Molson Canadian common at all beer gardens, just like home.

I haven't felt homesick too much over here but seeing all the hockey jerseys (mostly Canucks!), the street hockey and the Canadian flag capes did choke me up a bit. Being outside of Canada makes a Canada Day celebration take on a whole new meaning and being surrounded by fellow Canucks singing along to The Good Old Hockey Game while in the heart of London was an amazing experience.

We were treated a personal video greeting from Stephen Harper, who enjoyed a hearty booing, as well as a painfully forced live speech by Canada's high commissioner to England, Gordon Campbell, who got to take the boos in person. A proud moment.

We basically just wandered around drinking Canadians in the (mostly) sun all day, running into fellow Canadians we know over here, and meeting some new ones. Talking shit with Maple Leaf and Oilers fans in the toilet line was a good time. We also got a couple Brit friends out to have a poutine and see a little taste of what we call home. We tried to get the party started before Our Lady Peace took the stage by shotgunning a couple Canadians but I regret to say nobody joined in, perhaps the £4.10 price for a can put people off, but I think we were just next to the wrong Canadians, likely from Toronto.

Canada Day in London was definitely the most moving I've ever had and made me very proud to be Canadian. We enjoy a pretty good reputation abroad and we owe that to all the Canadians that came before us. I feel very lucky to have that privilege and try to pay it forward while we are traveling. It was a real treat to spend a day in the company of thousands of like minded Canadians on the other side of the world.

-Justin