Nunavut, Labrador share common day

I would like to weigh in on a serious issue of national importance: when to celebrate Nunavut Day.

The last time the map of Canada changed was on March 31, 1949, when Newfoundland and Labrador joined Confederation.

The time of entry was “immediately before the expiration of the thirty-first day of March, 1949.” This provision was included in the Terms of Union in order to make the entry co-incide with the fiscal year for bookkeeping purposes, but also to avoid an “April Fools” anniversary.

Fifty years and one moment later, Nunavut came into being, at the very first instant of April 1, 1999.

The “April Fools” problem in 1949 was nothing more than silly superstition. April 1 is just a day. Besides, doesn’t April Fools Day end at noon?

In Newfoundland, July 1 was Memorial Day, marking a battle in the First World War in which hundreds of Newfoundlanders were killed and injured. When Newfoundland and Labrador joined Confederation, July 1 became a day for both celebration and remembrance.

If those two events can be combined into one public holiday (as they are in Newfoundland), what is the big deal about celebrating Nunavut Day on April 1? April Fools Day might have some light-hearted connotations, but isn’t exactly a sombre or superstitious occasion, and it isn’t already a holiday that there is a conflict with.

Furthermore, Nunavut and Labrador share a common border on Killiniq Island. The eastern half is in Labrador, the western half is in Nunavut.

This border was set in 1927… on March 31! Not many people realize these connections.

Maybe people from Labrador, Nunavut, Nunavik, Newfoundland, and elsewhere in Canada, could mark the anniversaries there together, commemorating these important occasions in Canada’s twentieth-century history.

I’ve always wanted to see the Torngat Mountains. See you at Killiniq at midnight, March 31/April 1, 2001!

Wallace J.McLean
Otttawa
http://members.xoom.com/labradorian