Tuesday, July 2, 2019 ~ SOOKE
by Mary P Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
It was a Canada Day celebration like no other, yesterday at Sooke Flats. The national anthem with new words “in all of us command” was new to some in the audience. But deeper than that — this was the first Sooke Canada Day in 24 years without the now-late District of Sooke Councillor Brenda Parkinson.
The sound of bagpipes ushering in the traditional parade of dignitaries was a Brenda thing. Her military family background was strong in her stride, as was her love of the arts. She can be credited with the push for town beautification that came forth in fits and starts over the years.
In the parade and on the stage to give brief speeches were Premier John Horgan who is MLA for the Langford-Juan de Fuca riding; Randall Garrison, MP (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke); Sooke Mayor Maja Tait; Juan de Fuca Area Director Mike Hicks; and T’Sou-ke elders Shirley Alphonse and Jackie Planes.
By annual tradition, there was the cutting of Canada Day cakes — two cakes this year, both donated by Western Foods. Ready with their food-gloves and ceremonial cake-cutting knives were Horgan, Garrison, Tait, and Hicks joined this year by long-time Canada Day organizer Judithe Ann Gatto and T’Sou-ke elder Jackie Planes.
The crowd was large this year – not everyone having known Brenda Parkinson too well or at all, as the town has rapidly grown with newcomers in recent years. But the old guard was there … arts community, political realm, Legion folks, and more.
The on-stage program was emceed by former Sooke RCMP Detachment Commander Steve Wright (now providing leadership in the Sooke Lions). He encouraged people to remember Brenda when seeing the enchanted fable characters in the kid zone: “that was her idea”.
Wright said “she had the brilliant idea of having a ‘paint a stroke’ project. “Everyone is invited to add a stroke of paint to the canvases that will be hung at the Sooke municipal hall.” Wright officially dedicated the day’s event to Parkinson.
Mayor Maja Tait required a moment to compose herself, to speak of her council associate. “Brenda would like us all to celebrate and enjoy the fantastic weather and everything that makes this a special event for Sooke,” said Tait at the microphone. She thanked volunteers and vendors and organizers.
Premier John Horgan accepted a round of applause for being there. He opened his remarks thanking everyone being there “to celebrate being the most fortunate people on planet Earth — to be Canadians, to be British Columbians, and to be in Sooke — it does not get any better than that”. He’s been MLA for the riding for 14 years, each year cutting cake at Sooke Canada Day. He called Parkinson “the pulse of Sooke”.
Sooke’s member of parliament Randall Garrison has done Sooke Canada Day for eight years. “I wouldn’t miss being here in Sooke.” Parkinson nailed him down to be at Canada Day Sooke every year. “Her spirit will inspire us all today on Canada Day.” Garrison noted that Canada Day is an opportunity to reflect on reconciliation — no act is too small and no major act of reconciliation is too hard. Building a Canada that is inclusive is the real strength, he said. “All of us together make a community called Canada,” said Garrison.
Juan de Fuca Director Mike Hicks wished the crowd a happy Canada Day but could not yet bring himself to speak about Parkinson. He acknowledged the VIPs sharing the stage with him, and called Horgan “the hardest working Premier in Canada … I don’t know how he does it”.
There was cake for all, cut under a tent set up under the blazing sun. More vendor booths this year were made possible by lowering the table fee to $25, said Wright, as a way to be more inclusive for the small-business community.
O Canada was sung at the start of the noon-hour event by long-time Sooke singer Janet McTavish. She said that for Brenda at the June 22 farewell bash (‘living funeral’) that Brenda held for herself at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort with about 100 close friends and family, McTavish sang Hallelujah, Angel (by Sarah McLachlan), Mama Mia, and Amazing Grace.
======================
Remembering Brenda Parkinson (editorial, quotes from community leaders, and photos) on pages 1 & 2 in the June 28, 2019 weekend edition of West Shore Voice News.
