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1. How many years has a Coquitlam Canada Day event taken place?

15 years and counting.

In 2000, during the Millennium Year, Coquitlam hosted a successful Canada Day at Mackin Park. In 2009, the second Canada Day celebration took place at Town Centre Park. Since 2009, a Canada Day in-person event has been held annually in Coquitlam with the exception of 2020 when the event was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 event was held as a physically distant drive-through at Douglas College and also featured online programming. In 2022, the community was welcomed back to Town Centre Park for an in-person event

2. How many people attend Canada Day in Coquitlam?

Approximately 85,000 people attended the Coquitlam Canada Day celebration in 2022 at Town Centre Park.  It is estimated that 30,000 watched the fireworks.

3. Why is the Kwikwetlem First Nation not participating in the Coquitlam Canada Day event?

On July 1st, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation celebrates "kʷikʷəƛ̓əm šxwəlməxwaʔɬ təməxw" ("This is our land!"), also known as kʷikʷəƛ̓əm Day, which commemorates the passing of the Land Code in July 2020. This celebration honours the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm people and their accomplishments in reclaiming their lands and protecting it as stewards of the lands and waters for generations to come. The Nation is holding a community celebration and the City of Coquitlam Council has been invited and is honoured to attend this celebration on the morning of July 1. Links to more information about "kʷikʷəƛ̓əm šxwəlməxwaʔɬ təməxw" are available on the City website. 

4. How is the event being responsive to the need for reflection on Canada’s history and the legacy of the country’s colonial roots?

In recent years, we have made changes to Coquitlam’s Canada Day event to ensure it is inclusive and sensitive to diverse perspectives. 

While the event can be a celebration for many, we also acknowledge that it can be a trigger for some. We recognize the importance of creating a safe and inclusive event for all members of our community and continue to be committed to creating an environment that fosters understanding and healing. To achieve this, we include opportunities for education on Indigenous history and information on support resources at the event.

We encourage residents to reflect on Canada's history, colonialism and the impact of colonial policies on Indigenous peoples as we strive to learn and do better in the future. Online educational and support resources will be available pre, during and post event to further support this goal.

5. How does the event aim to reduce environmental sustainability?

All waste stations onsite have a 4-stream diversion. After the waste is collected, a supplier will sort through each piece of waste to divert as much away from landfill as possible.

All food vendors onsite will provide eco-friendly packaging to assist with reducing landfill waste.

We encourage event participants to car pool, use transit or walk to the event site where possible.

6. How is the event accessible?

The following features of the event support accessibility:

• A sign language interpreter will be beside the stage for the opening ceremony speech and the end-of-night speech before the fireworks.
• All pathways in the Town Centre Park event site and pathways connecting the event site to the accessible parking and pick-up/drop-off locations are wheel-chair accessible.
• Cable covers and other event set-up components are used that are graded to allow easy wheel-chair access.
• Service animals are welcome at the event; an animal watering station is available at the event water station. See Accessibility Map (PDF). 
• Lighting will be provided after the fireworks to assist those with limited vision.
• To reduce barriers to recreation and promote gender equity, the concession washroom includes sanitary products.
• All restrooms and portable toilets have universal units and wheelchair accessible units with a “C” shape handle.
• Patrons are welcome to visit the Info Booth for additional assistance (e.g., staff/volunteers can stand in line for patrons with exceptionalities and more).
• There are a number of wheelchair accessible fireworks viewing areas including Town Centre Park Community Plaza Stage and Evergreen Cultural Centre side of the lake 
• The Meadow Stage has large, flat open grass space for accessible viewing. See Accessibility Map (PDF).
• An Accessibility map is available at the Info Booth along with a list of wheelchair friendly service providers that have accessible units in their fleet.
• There are a number of wheelchair accessible parking stalls at the event.
• There are two wheelchair accessible drop off/pick up areas: Town Centre Park Lot A and off Guildford Way at Eastwood Street.

7. How much does this event cost?

In addition to the $186,000 base operating budget available for this event, Council approved $180,000 from the Sponsorship Reserve to deliver an event with an equivalent scale to the 2022 event. The Sponsorship Reserve is replenished each year through corporate sponsorships. Close to 60% of costs to deliver the 2023 Canada Day in Coquitlam will be covered from corporate sponsorship revenue, federal and provincial grants.

8. Who are the key sponsors?

This year’s sponsors include the following: 

• Presenting Partner Cash Sponsor:
  • Marcon: $20,000
• Cash Sponsors:
  • Journey Auto Group: $10,000
  • Recycle BC: $5,000
  • Clark Woods, LLP: $2,500
  • Coast Capital Savings: $2,500
  • Nando’s: $2,500
  • TransLink: $2,500
•  In-Kind sponsor of note: Mariner Brewing (labour and activation)

9. How can I be a sponsor next year?

To be a sponsor next year, please email our Corporate Partners team.

10. Who are the vendors?

There will be approximately 15 local and regional businesses onsite. For a current listing see coquitlam.ca/CanadaDay.

• Crème Brulee To Go 
• Gary’s Kettle 
• Japadog
• Kampong - Taste Of Malaysia 
• Mahshiko 
• Nami Vietnamese 
• Old Country Pierogi
• Roasted Revolution 
• Rocky Point Ice Cream 
• Shameless Buns 
• Taco Tigre 
• Teapressu
• The Little Snowflake Factory
• Tornado Potato 
• Veg Out Plant Based Burgers
• WakWak Burger 

11. How can I be a vendor next year?

To be a vendor next year, please email our Festivals and Events team.

12. Who are the featured performers this year?

This year’s Canada Day will feature two stages of entertainment.  

• The Plaza Stage will feature, in order of appearance: Balkan Shmalkan, Karima Essa, The Myrtle Family Band, Bakara Band, The Suits
• The Meadow Stage will feature, in order of appearance: Jultagi  (traditional Korean tightrope walking), Wills Jams, Forro Do Cana
• Rounding out the day will be roving entertainment onsite from 12 to 6:45 p.m.

13. How can I inquire to be a performer next year?

Apply online through the Arts and Culture Entertainment Program application form.

14. Are Coquitlam’s Canada Day performers paid?

Yes all the performers are paid to perform at Canada Day.