This year, Canada Day celebrations will look a little different. Instead of backyard barbecues, fireworks and festivals, many of us will be celebrating virtually. What hasn’t changed is that Canada Day is the time to reflect on our proudest moments and achievements as a nation and to mobilize around what kind of country we want to be in the future.
Here’s one legacy we can be proud of and one that’s more important than ever to continue: Canada’s leading role to ensure more women and children around the world have access to basic health care, clean water, nutritious food and a chance to thrive.
Every day, 15,000 children under five die, many from preventable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malnutrition. Every two minutes, a woman dies from pregnancy or childbirth complications. Canadian volunteers from our own communities, along with doctors, nurses, midwives, government employees, humanitarians and many more, have been working tirelessly around the world for years.
The Monument to Canadian Aid Workers commemorates this long-standing commitment to international development and humanitarian aid while honouring those who have lost their lives in pursuit of this work.
If you are looking for an outdoor activity while social distancing this Canada Day, consider visiting the Monument which is located in Rideau Falls Park in Ottawa. Not in Ottawa? Learn more by visiting the HealthBridge Foundation of Canada’s website.
