Canada Day celebrations are underway in the country’s capital after two years in which Canadians celebrated the country’s birthday at home, or virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tensions remain high amid a major police presence as thousands of people begin to gather in the streets of downtown Ottawa, where residents continue to struggle with what police have acknowledged to be “persistent trauma.” of the blockade of the convoy at the beginning of the year.
Read more: Liveblog: Canada Day celebrations, protests across the country
In normal years, Canada Day festivities attract thousands of people to the lawn and the streets around Parliament Hill for concerts, fireworks and parties. COVID-19 forced the celebrations to be held virtually in 2020 and 2021.
Instead, the official celebrations take place at LeBreton Flats, the festival grounds about a 20-minute walk west of Parliament Hill, while the parliamentary venue collapses.
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People are still encouraged to come to the hill, even though most of the events are elsewhere, reports Abigail Bimman of Global. However, there are alignments to enter, with security checks.
Parliament Hill is seen beyond a security checkpoint for people arriving for Canada Day celebrations at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa on Friday, July 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Justin Tang. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Justin Tang Parliament Hill looks beyond the people waiting for the start of Canada Day celebrations at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa on Friday, July 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Justin Tang. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Justin Tang
However, there were no vocal protesters on the Canada Day stage. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shook hands with the crowd, he received mostly applause, rather than the vocal frustrations that protesters in Ottawa have expressed in recent months.
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Several hundred protesters marched through the streets south of Parliament Hill on Friday afternoon, with a strong police presence along the route as they walked and chanted “freedom”.
THE CANADIAN PRESS / Lars Hagberg
Crowds in general appear to have been smaller than in the years before the pandemic, where Canada Day events usually draw tens of thousands of people, with some 56,000 people on their 150th anniversary.
An event official at LeBreton Flats told Rachel Gilmore of Global News that there were about 5,000 people on the festival grounds for the concert and main events starting at noon on Friday.
Read more: This is what you need to know when Ottawa prepares for Canada Day protests amid “persistent trauma”
The daytime ceremony began at 11:30 a.m. East Friday and lasted until 1:00 p.m.
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The evening show starts at 8pm and lasts until 10pm, when the fireworks start.
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Performers during the daytime show included Chantal Kreviazuk, Gurdeep Pandher, Lisa LeBlanc, Tenille Townes, Sarahmee, DJ Shub, Kellie Loder, Sebastien Gaskin, Riit and Boogat.
The nightly show will feature Charlotte Cardin, Walk Off The Earth, Salebarbes, Ariane Moffat, Sarahmee, Riit, Cindy Bedard, Sebastian Gaskin, Gurdeep Pandher, Johhny Reid, Tenille Arts, Neon Dreams, Samian and William Prince.
There is also an official Canada Day playlist on Spotify and YouTube with music from the performers.
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In his official message to Canadians, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on citizens to re-engage with the country’s values, including respect, hope and kindness.
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Trudeau said the national holiday is an opportunity to commit to the values represented by the Maple Leaf, adding that the flag is more than a symbol.
Read more: The Canadian flag represents the promise of a better life, Trudeau says in Canada Day message
“It’s also a promise: a promise of opportunity, a promise of security for those fleeing violence and war, and a promise of a better life,” he said.
“No matter what our faith is, where we were born, the color of our skin, what language we speak or who we love, we are all equal members of this great country,” he said. “And today we celebrate the place we all call home.”
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During a speech to the crowds gathered at the official ceremony at LeBreton Flats, Trudeau spoke about the work of Canadians to continue building the country over the years.
He highlighted the country’s Ukrainian communities, as well as national heroes such as Terry Fox, whose courage continues to inspire Canadians across the country each year at the Terry Fox Run.
“Canada is about people who are constantly fighting for something, rather than against it,” Trudeau said.
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“We are on the shoulders of everyone who built this country before us, and we work hard every day for those who will follow. All the progress we have made did not happen by chance and will not continue without effort.”
He added: “Canada has never been perfect, and now it is not. Yes, Canada is one of the best countries in the world, but our work to improve it never stops.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau join their sons Hadrien, Xavier and Ella-Grace as they arrive at Canada Day celebrations at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa on Friday, July 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Sean Kilpatrick. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Sean Kilpatrick
Governor General Mary Simon also spoke at the ceremony, offering comments in English, Inuktitut and French.
He said that after two years apart, it was a “wonderful” opportunity to bring Canadians together in person and applauded the work done over the past two years by health workers.
“There are so many things to look forward to, so many milestones to celebrate,” he said.
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For many, however, Canada Day will be a reminder of the loss, Simon added. He pointed to indigenous peoples lamenting the loss of culture and languages, as well as victims of recent natural disasters and those who lost loved ones due to COVID-19.
He called on Canadians to “lead with kindness and compassion” to build a more inclusive country.
“I’m proud to call you all my neighbors,” Simon said.
Ottawa residents “lurking” after convoy interruptions
For Ottawa residents who experienced chaos from the convoy earlier this year, questions about the protesters ’return to the core made them feel“ on the lookout ”and cautious, a local resident said.
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Michael Del Mastro spoke Friday at Global News from Strathcona Park, where a small group of vaccine protesters gathered earlier in the day.
He said as a resident of one of the hard-hit communities during the convoy, he wanted to show them that most Canadians disagree, citing Canada’s high vaccination rates.
“I’m here to show the people in the convoy that the vast majority of Canadians don’t agree with their views. They know that Canada is already one of the freest countries in the world and that this whole convoy doesn’t make sense,” he said. Del Mastro, and added that he hopes the police will avoid another “occupation.”
Both police and federal and municipal government officials describe the February demonstration as an “occupation” and an illegal protest.
Del Mastro added that he believes that the change of location of the celebration will have the effect of avoiding clashes. While protesting, he added that he is “on the lookout” and “cautious”.
2:13 Ottawa strengthens security ahead of Canada Day celebrations, protests Ottawa strengthens security ahead of Canada Day celebrations, protests
Another local, Nicholas Fortura, said that …