Thousands of people gather in downtown Ottawa to celebrate Canada’s 155th anniversary, as police and city officials prepare for possible protests against vaccines and COVID-19 restrictions.
It’s the first in-person Canada Day in Ottawa in three years, after COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of events in 2020 and 2021. The main Canada Day festivities will take place at LeBreton Flats Park, al west of downtown Ottawa, and at Place des Festivals Zibi in Gatineau.
Main events include a daytime ceremony and evening show at LeBreton Flats, family-friendly activities and fireworks at 10 p.m. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds were forced to cancel their annual flyover over Ottawa on Canada Day following a technical problem. recent.
While there are no Canada Day events planned on Parliament Hill this year due to construction on the Center Block, several protests are planned for the area on Friday afternoon. The Freedom Fights Canada website says a “March to Freedom” will be held at 3:30 p.m., followed by speeches, live music and a DJ on Parliament Hill from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A “Family Day Picnic” organized by the group Police on Guard for Thee at a nearby park was cancelled, with organizers citing “a recent incident in Ottawa”. However, no further details were provided.
A visible police presence patrolled the parliamentary precinct and roads around downtown Ottawa on Friday morning, with a motor vehicle control zone in place to prevent vehicles from stopping or participating in protests.
Any vehicle stopped or parked in the control zone will be fined and towed, while police say vehicles taking part in the protests will be banned from entering the area.
As of Friday morning, Ottawa Statutory Services officers issued 275 parking tickets and towed 72 vehicles from the vehicle control zone. Statutes officials have also increased fines for unusual noises, yelling, urinating or defecating on roads and sidewalks, blocking a highway, and idling. The fines are now $1,000.
Despite their presence, Ottawa police say it’s safe for families to come downtown for Canada Day events.
“Come on, don’t worry. This is a festival. This is to celebrate Canada, that’s why we’ve gone to the extreme where we have to put the plans in place and the resources around it,” interim chief Steve Bell told The New York Times. Evan Solomon show on Thursday. “It’s going to be a safe environment, so we’re here to ensure that.”
Four people were arrested following an incident at the National War Memorial on Thursday, shortly after Canadian Forces veteran James Topp completed his cross-country march to protest COVID-19 vaccination mandates.
“We are reviewing the video and investigating the incident at the National War Memorial tonight,” police said on Twitter Thursday night. “Initial investigation finds an interaction with officers turned into a confrontation and 1 officer was choked. Other officers responded immediately, 4 people were arrested.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is asking Canadians to recommit to the country’s values on Canada Day, including respect, hope and kindness.
In his official Canada Day messageThe prime minister said that July 1 is an opportunity to commit to the values that the maple leaf represents.
“It is also a promise: a promise of opportunity, a promise of safety for those fleeing violence and war, and a promise of a better life,” he said.
With archives from The Canadian Press