Thousands of people dressed in red and white and waving Canadian flags filled downtown Ottawa to celebrate 155 years of Canada.the birthday, as groups of protesters appeared around Parliament Hill to protest COVID-19 vaccines and restrictions and the federal government.
It is the first in-person Canada Day in Ottawa in three years, after COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of events in 2020 and 2021.
“We’ve already missed two years,” said Rebecca Lau, as she stood in front of Parliament Hill. “We used to come here every year to celebrate Canada Day, but the last two years because of the pandemic we had to stay home.”
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.
Karen MacDonald is spending her first Canada Day in Ottawa.
“It’s totally exciting for me to be here in person,” said the Ladner, BC native. “So many different people in the city wear red and white, with flags. It makes my belly ache with pride.”
Two kilometers from LeBreton Flats, Parliament Hill and the streets around the parliament buildings were packed with people commemorating Canada Day. Visitors to Canada Day events at LeBreton Flats and on Parliament Hill must pass through airport-style metal detectors and check their bags before entering.
“It’s great to see everyone here celebrating and enjoying Canada Day. It’s nice to see all the patriotism going on, the good kind, the positive kind,” said Todd Salter, who visited Ottawa from Erin, Ontario. “There are protesters here, but they seem calm at the moment, which is a nice change. It feels a bit normal and really nice to be back.”
The Canada Day festivities come months after “Freedom Convoy” protesters took to the streets around Parliament Hill to protest COVID-19 vaccination mandates. A protest march against the mandates and government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled for this 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.
Just before 1 p.m. dozens of people gathered on Wellington Street opposite Parliament Hill and chanted “Free Pat King”. Pat King was one of the organizers of the “Freedom Convoy” and remains in jail on charges related to his participation in the three-week protest.
Mackenzie Gray of CTV News reported that some protesters attempted to set up a table in front of Parliament Hill, but officers from Bylaw Services approached to order them to remove the table.
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 small crowd gathered in Strathcona Park despite the picnic being cancelled, with People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier planning to give a speech to supporters in the area. Several vehicles with Canadian flags were parked in the parking lot as police patrolled the area.
There is a visible police presence patrolling the parliamentary precinct and roads around downtown Ottawa, 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 and CTV News Ottawa’s Natalie van Rooy