Every July 1st, Canadians mark the anniversary of Confederation, one that in Victoria includes a big gathering at the Legislative building (or “The Ledge” to locals) to enjoy food, friends and live music; and at dusk, a spectacular display of fireworks above the harbour. But Canada Day is more than fireworks and flags; it’s an opportunity to remember the complex beginnings of a country still in the process of defining itself, and learning from past lessons.
Canada, as we know it, began not with a grand declaration of independence, but with trade—specifically, the fur trade. Long before Confederation, vast networks of Indigenous nations lived, carefully managed, and traded upon this land. But it was the arrival of Europeans—especially the Hudson’s Bay Company—who came to hunt and trade in beaver pelts, otter pelts and seal pelts that set in motion the genesis of this fledgling nation.
Here on the West Coast, the Company established Fort Victoria in 1843 as a fur-trading post, primarily to counter growing American interest in the region. The man in charge was Sir James Douglas, a formidable figure of mixed Scottish and Caribbean heritage who would become the first governor of both the Colony of Vancouver Island (1849) and the Colony of British Columbia (1858). Douglas was a pragmatist, a statesman, and a man deeply aware of the fragility of colonial enterprise.
In an era when many colonial administrators simply claimed land, Douglas sought to negotiate with local Indigenous nations, signing a series of land treaties known as the Douglas Treaties. While limited in number and scope, they stand as rare acknowledgements—however incomplete—of Indigenous land rights during a time of sweeping dispossession elsewhere in British North America.
The discovery of gold along the Fraser River in 1858 triggered a flood of prospectors, hastening British interest in formalizing its western claims. Thus, two colonies emerged, and Douglas emerged as the territory’s first governor - a delicate balance between British authority, American ambition, and the Indigenous who’d lived upon the land for centuries.
When Confederation occurred in 1867, British Columbia wasn’t initially included; not at first, that is. It wasn’t until 1871 that the colony joined the new Dominion of Canada, motivated by the promise of a transcontinental railway—a steel thread intended to bind east to west.
Today, Canada Day invites us to celebrate a broader idea of what it means to be “Canadian”. It is a proud country built by many hands, shaped by many voices; most notably the indigenous peoples whose histories and traditions predate Confederation by millennia, and remain central to Canada’s identity and future.
In addition, Canada has long been a destination for immigrants seeking safety, opportunity, and belonging; a value that takes on extra meaning these days. This mosaic is no accident—it’s a choice, a set of values rooted in inclusion and a belief that national identity can be expansive, rather than exclusive. Canada doesn’t always get it right, but it works hard to prove the value ALL of its citizens, regardless of race, creed, colour or identity.
So while the Canada Day fireworks may be brief, the story of Canada is still unfolding—layered, unfinished, and worth telling well. And we are both proud and fortunate to call her our home and native land.
And with that, we’d like to bellow out at the top of our patriotic lungs, HAPPY 158th BIRTHDAY, CANADA! For more on Victoria's Canada Day Celebration, click HERE
If you’d like to learn more about the history of beautiful Victoria, B.C. then why not check out a HIDDEN VICTORIA tour? We’ve got a team of professional, fun and knowledgeable guides who love showing off the quaint and historic city we all call home. Click HERE for more information.