Hi IrishJack,
I don't know if you calander had July 1st marked as "Canada Day". This was the day Canada became a country. The providences of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia came together to become the domain of Canada in 1867. But Canada was still part of the British Empire for quite some time until we wanted to be an independent country like the United States.
I like to remember Canada Day by the man who made it possible, Sir. John A. McDonald.