Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he requested the national flag on the Peace Tower remain at half-mast for Canada Day to honour the Indigenous children who died in residential schools.
Trudeau says he made the decision as he and many Canadians reflect on the tragedy of the institutions in a post on his Twitter account.
Cowessess First Nation last week said that ground-penetrating radar detected 751 unmarked graves at the former Marieval Indian Residential School east of Regina, Sask., a few weeks following the finding of what are believed to be the remains of 215 children in Kamloops, B.C.
Canadian Heritage still has plans to go ahead with virtual Canada Day events similar to last year, with an online music show featuring English, French and Indigenous artists.
Several cities and communities across the country have decided to forgo parts of their usual Canada Day festivities.
Events will be partially or fully cancelled in solidarity with mourning Indigenous communities in Saint John and Fredericton New Brunswick, Victoria BC, Wilmot Township in Ontario, and St. Albert in Alberta.
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