More shade is on the way for Canada Day 2015

LETTER — Hello, Mel. Thank you for your comments, all of them. Yes, it was the BEST Canada Day we have had for a long time. Yes, it does and will continue to get better with the great team that the Kamloops Multicultural has assembled.

Phenomenal is almost an understatement, I do not think I can come up with a single word that can describe this year’s Canada Day accurately except it was a 100-point day. As president of the Kamloops Multicultural Society, I wanted to get some feedback from the people of Kamloops so as I was roving about between my presidential duties, I engaged many people in the park, and never had one complaint.

I visited each and every one of our member booths, and without exception they ALL had a BIG Smile on their face that could not be removed.

The Kamloops Multicultural Society is in a major expansion, with the addition of our First Nation brothers and sisters to our Canadian Jamacian group. To ALL of our members — good job. They served Kamloops beyond what could have been asked of them.

To address your comments of how we can make it better, I/we do appreciate these statements. Be assured that the situations have been noted by the Kamloops Multicultural Society.  This year we moved the ceremonies up one hour from 12 p.m. to 11 a.m. That still was not enough to beat the fantastic Kamloops summer heat.

Already this morning arrangements are being made to provide more shade for our Kamloops citizens for next year. The Kamloops Multicultural Society did its best with the funding that we receive; we could only provide nine additional tents for the main area of the park.

As well, seeing the need, Neil Mcdonald of Interior Display provided additional tents at no charge to us. We (KMS) did our very best and with great community support we were able to have the very best Canada Day in a very long time.

There were so many people behind the scenes from Gary Mcteer as our official Kamloops Multicultural Society photographer to the people that put up the fence at the last minute, everybody stepped up to help make this day so special.

Mel, as far as the opening ceremonies, yes, we have never had so many on-stage guests. From the Provincial Heritage Fair to Uji, Japan we had a few more speeches, and each message is no less important that the next.

Mel, you have to realize we have to respect those that we have elected, to our Armed Forces. We had four extra speeches this year as well as a special presentation to Cheryl Blackwell for her many years of service to the community. Mel, ALL are Important….this is what Canada Day Is all about. Don’t forget.

I am sorry that you feel the ceremony went too long but, we were right on target as far as our time projection. If you look at our schedule it was perfect. My speech was a bit long but our citizens and City parks staff deserve acknowledgement, and to the people that had to stay and listen for a few moments more, we appreciate your patience. We do this all for YOU!!

I know it is easy to sit back in an armchair and think about all that transpires, but unless you are on the front line, you really do not know what goes into displaying an almost perfect day. We the (KMS) are working on all your suggestions already. We are glad that we have someone like you that WILL bring this to our attention.

Mel, as one of Kamloops’ longest lasting volunteer organizations, the Kamloops Multicultural Society is striving for complete satisfaction on our Folkfest/ Canada Day event. Watch us next year as it is the Kamloops Multicultural Society’s 40th anniversary. Remember the early days at McArthur Island and see where we have come from and to where we are today, and to where we are going.

Thank you again for recognizing the accomplishments of the Kamloops Multicultural Society and for your suggestions as well. Please rest assured we will address the ones that are in our control.

RAY DHALIWAL
Kamloops Multicultural Society
President