CUPE 1169

The first Monday in August is Alberta’s Heritage Day, as per section 2 of the Alberta Human Rights Act.

In 1974, the Government of Alberta declared this day as an annual holiday. That year and the next, a multicultural concert was held at Fort Edmonton Park. In 1976, 11 ethno-cultural communities gathered in Hawrelak Park in Edmonton to share their cultures’ cuisine, entertainment, crafts, and more. This was the beginning of the Edmonton Heritage Festival, which is celebrated every year over the August long weekend. Calgary’s Heritage Festival has also celebrated Heritage Day at Heritage Park for over 40 years.

Today, events across the province celebrate Alberta’s history and rich multicultural society and help us recognize the value that diversity and multiculturalism bring to our province.

International Youth Day is held each year on the 12th of August and is an initiative that celebrates the qualities of young people and that recognizes the challenges that today’s youth can face.

International Youth Day began in 2000 and was organized by the United Nations to celebrate the contribution that young people make in education, employment, conflict resolution and social justice to name a few.

During the month of May and June, floral arrangements were sent to six members who were mourning the loss of a loved one, who were taking time to heal due to extended illness, and to celebrate the arrival of a newborn.