Talk of the Town on Canada

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Canada means so many things to so many people.

I asked people the three questions; Who is their favourite Canadian singer or musicians? What stands out for them when they think of Canada, and how are they going to be spending Canada Day this year?

Mary Frances McCauley said her favourite musicians were the Bare Naked Ladies. “What stands out to me is our beautiful mixing pot of cultures and religions. We’re truly free to celebrate and worship as we please. My family will be spending Canada Day being thankful for all our blessings and enjoying a family BBQ quarantine style,” Mary said.

Anita Lemko, another resident of Vegreville said her favourite Canadian singer is Anne Murray. “We were in Nova Scotia where there is an Anne Murray Centre located right in Springhill, and when we went there, we just missed Anne Murray by one day,” Anita Lemko said.

When I asked Anita what stands out most for her about Canada, she replied that it is all the freedoms that we have. “We are very lucky to be living in a country that is so well-respected by the world. It is a peaceful country.”

Anita added that she will be spending Canada Day this year with hopefully her family. “With COVID-19, it will be a little bit different because there will not be as many activities going on and Canada Day will be celebrated in a more quiet way.”

Then when I asked Tim MacPhee, Mayor of Vegreville, he said his favourite Canadian singer is Michael Buble. What stands out most for him about Canada was the country itself and how beautiful it is. “I like all the different regions; the oceans, mountains, the prairies, the landscape to me is the most wonderful thing that we have here,” MacPhee said.

For Canada Day, MacPhee added he hopes to spend it camping and golfing with his family.

Holly Cependa said her favourite Canadian singer is Anne Murray.

What stands out most for Holly when she thinks about Canada is its home; where her heart is. “I was born and raised in Canada. It is one of the best countries in the world to live in because of our freedoms and quality of life.” Holly said.

Holly doesn’t know how she will spend Canada Day this year but she said normally they decorate their yard in Canada Day’s style. They also have red and white food to eat. “Ideally, I would like to spend Canada Day with my family but I don’t know if I will be able to do that with the COVID-19 virus still out there this year,” Holly explained.