Entertainment

Calling all Canadians: stories about pioneers to new citizens will highlight CBC's Canada 150 programming

As Canada approaches its 150th birthday next year, CBC is calling on Canadians to share their stories as part of the celebration. The public broadcaster is creating a lineup of programming, across all platforms, themed to the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

2017 will mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation

Fireworks explode behind the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill during Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on July 1, 2015. CBC is creating a lineup of programming themed to the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017 and inviting Canadians to take part. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

 As Canada approaches its 150th birthday next year, CBC is calling on Canadians to share their stories as part of the celebration.

In 2017, the country will mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation and the celebration will include myriad events —from national cultural initiatives to community parties — to mark the occasion.

Share your stories, video and photos via email to [email protected].

You can also post them to your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account using #CBC2017. 

We also welcome letters sent the old-fashioned way:

CBC News 2017
Box 500, Station A
Toronto ON   M5W 1E6

On July 1, check out the site: cbcnews.ca/whatsyourstory​

The public broadcaster is inviting Canadians to share stories, videos and photos about what they think defines Canada (using the hashtag #CBC2017), with the content to be reflected back in interactive programming.

CBC is also creating a lineup of programming, across all platforms, themed to next year's anniversary.

Some highlights revealed Tuesday include:

  • Canada: The Story of Us, a 10-part TV series that explores the history of people, places and events that have shaped the country, from "Indigenous peoples and immigrants to pioneers and rule breakers to scientists and entrepreneurs."
  • Becoming Canadian, a digital-first series focussing on stories from the 250,000 new Canadians taking the oath of citizenship this year.
  • La Grande Traversée, a TV adventure series where 10 adventurers will recreate, on a three-mast yacht, the epic voyage settlers took from France to Quebec.
  • Stanley Vollant: De Compostelle à Kuujjuak, a two-part miniseries about the first Indigenous surgeon in Quebec.
  • Continuing coverage of Canadian stories, starting with this year's Canada Day celebrations.


"2017 will be an important milestone in the history of our country: a time for Canadians to connect and to share stories about who we are and where we are headed as a nation," CBC/Radio-Canada president Hubert Lacroix said in a statement.

"The public broadcaster will provide the public space where Canadians can share their stories, ideas and perspectives, and where they can engage with one another from coast to coast to coast."