Today, May 20th 2024, is Victoria Day in Canada. I want to wish every Canadian a very happy and safe Victoria Day.

Today marks the celebration of the birthday of Canada’s first monarch, Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901 and was Monarch when four British colonies – Canada West (Ontario), Canada East (Quebec), New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia – were combined together to create the Dominion of Canada.

Queen Victoria would see Canada grow rapidly, with the purchase of Rupert’s Land to form the Northwest Territory, as well Manitoba, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island all joining Confederation.

Since 1957, Victoria Day also marks the official birthday of our current monarch.

King Charles III ascended the throne as King of Canada on September 8th, 2022 when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II passed away.

So let’s celebrate the birthdays of our first Head of State and our current Head of State.