'Canada lets us be us': Canada Day in Sudbury celebrates city's diversity

A multicultural Canada Day event returned to Greater Sudbury Saturday after a pandemic pause.

The event, held at the Sudbury Community Arena, was organized by the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association in partnership with the City of Greater Sudbury.

Bela Ravi, the association president, said she was excited to see the event return to in person once again.

"We celebrate diversity and inclusion and seeing all these cultures come together and that’s what Canada is all about," she said.

"Canada lets us be us and that’s what we're doing today."

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Ravi told CTV News the event has grown since the association's inception more than 50 years ago. She said the group has held a Canada Day event every year until the pandemic began. She estimates the event typically draws out 5,000 people looking to enjoy good food and learn about different cultures.

"This event is our pride and joy," said Ravi, describing it as the association's biggest event of the year.

Admission was free and included performances from different local groups.

Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe said she was happy to see the diversity of the city celebrated.

"It definitely demonstrates Sudbury is a welcoming community," she said. 

CTV News Northern Ontario is a proud community sponsor of this event

Organizers said the Canada Day is "our pride and joy," describing it as the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association's biggest event of the year. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News Northern Ontario)