A member of Skyhawk slides next to the Peace Tower during Canada Day events in Ottawa on July 1st. Lars Hagberg / The Canadian Press
Canadians across the country celebrated Canada Day largely unhindered by pandemic restrictions for the first time in three years, and some took the holidays as an opportunity to rekindle anti-government protests in Ottawa.
The most important events took place in the country’s capital, where families and anti-government protesters gathered throughout Ottawa. The official celebration took place at LeBreton Flats due to reforms at Parliament Hill, and was attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and musical acts.
The city had been preparing for protests threatening to disrupt festivities for residents and visitors, with police blocking roads and maintaining a large presence throughout the day to prevent demonstrations from tightening as it went. do during the winter.
A day earlier, four people were arrested after Ottawa police said one of their officers was drowned during an altercation with protesters at the National War Memorial.
On Friday, the Prime Minister called for unity in the midst of a potentially divisive day, using his official Canada Day speech to call for a deeper commitment to Canadian values such as hope and kindness.
Mr. Trudeau said the date marking the 155th anniversary of the Confederacy of Canada offers an opportunity to embrace the values represented by Maple Leaf, adding that the flag is more than a symbol.
“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.
In an apparent reference to the treatment of Indigenous people, even in residential schools, the Prime Minister spoke of Canada’s “historic mistakes” in his official holiday message, saying that while we cannot change history, we can work to build a better future.
In front of Parliament Hill, the crowd was a mix of protesters wrapped in the Canadian flag or waving anti-Trudeau banners and visitors celebrating the party. However, in the late afternoon, protesters began marching down Wellington Street and much of the city, creating tension with some residents. They shouted “freedom” and “hold the line” as they descended Wellington St. in front of Parliament, familiar sounds to residents who endured the protests that clogged downtown for weeks in February.
Ottawa law and regulatory services tweeted that as of 8 a.m. on June 29, and in connection with Canada Day events and demonstrations in the city, 284 parking tickets had been issued, towing 79 vehicles. , handed out three tickets to record one road and two. tickets for unlicensed mobile refrigerated vehicles.
While many of those gathered in front of Parliament were angry at the federal government’s vaccine mandates, others were there because they have other grievances against Mr. Trudeau’s government, were curious, or simply wanted to be in Hill Hill Parliament for the Day. of Canada.
Joe Emmons and his wife, Tanya, of Digby, NS, were in Ottawa visiting their son and stopped Friday on Wellington Street. Emmons said they were not part of the protest, but have been watching it and are worried about the country’s future.
Sunshine Village, Alta. is open for summer for skiing and snowboarding for the first time since 1991.Handout
“The government doesn’t seem to be doing anything to keep Canada united,” Emmons said. “When your leader comes out and calls people misogynistic and racist; I have a family that are doctors who were not vaccinated and I know they are not misogynistic racists. “
Emmons was referring to the comments that Mr. Trudeau made it last year during the election campaign when he said, “Yes, there is a small marginal element in this country that is angry, that does not believe in science, that attacks with racists, misogynistic attacks.”
Ms Emmons said the division is hurting the country. The couple said they are vaccinated, but that they have relatives who are not.
Some other celebrations in the country had no protesters, such as in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, where a smaller group of people and families gathered. Many wore red and white clothing, and there were a handful of Canadian flags.
It was a hot, humid day for the first face-to-face Canada Day celebrations in the city in three years, and visitors said they were out just to stroll and enjoy the good weather for a long weekend.
“It’s very nice to see people away from home again,” said Bethany Stephenson, 36.
“But I was hoping there would be more people. Maybe it’s time.”
Elsewhere in the city, organizers had to cancel a fireworks show in the eastern part of the city after a vendor said Thursday it could not complete its order.
In a press release, the city said it worked all night and managed to find alternative suppliers for its fireworks shows in three other locations.
In Vancouver, the city’s port center said it was preparing for thousands of visitors throughout the day. The event at Canada Place in downtown Vancouver featured musical acts, including sets by local Indigenous performers.
However, organizers said they decided not to make a fireworks castle this year due to rising costs.
In Banff, skiers and snowboarders were able to celebrate on the slopes thanks to heavy snowfall during the winter, which made Banff Sunshine Village open its ski slopes in summer for the first time since of 1991.
Spokeswoman Kendra Scurfield said skiers were enjoying the warm weather with a DJ facility that featured an all-Canadian song program.
“We’ve seen people come from all over the country,” Ms. Scurfield.
“People are thrilled to celebrate our nation in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Canada and in the snow.”
With reports from Jake Kivanc and The Canadian Press
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