Canadians across the country celebrated Canada Day largely unhindered by pandemic restrictions for the first time in three years, with some using the holiday as an opportunity to revive anti-government protests in Ottawa. The biggest events took place in the nation’s capital, where families and anti-government protesters gathered across Ottawa. The official celebration was held at LeBreton Flats due to renovations on Parliament Hill and included a visit from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and musical performances. The city had braced for protests that threatened to disrupt festivities for residents and visitors, with police blocking off roads and maintaining a heavy presence throughout the day in an attempt to prevent demonstrations from taking place as they did in winter. A day earlier, four people were arrested after Ottawa police said one of their officers choked during an altercation with protesters at the National War Memorial. On Friday, the Prime Minister called for unity amid the potentially divisive day, using his official Canada Day speech to call for a deeper commitment to Canadian values like hope and kindness. Mr. Trudeau said the date marking the 155th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation offers an opportunity to embrace the values represented by the Maple Leaf, adding that the flag is more than a symbol. “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. In an apparent reference to the treatment of Indigenous people, including in schools, the Prime Minister spoke of Canada’s “historic mistakes” in his official holiday message, saying that while we can’t change history, we can work to build a better one. future. In front of Parliament Hill, the crowd was a mix of protesters draped in the Canadian flag or waving anti-Trudeau banners, and visitors celebrating the holidays. However, by late afternoon, protesters began marching down Wellington Street, and across much of the city, creating tension with some residents. They chanted “freedom” and “hold the line” as they marched down Wellington Street in front of Parliament, sounds familiar to residents who endured protests that clogged the city center core for weeks in February. Ottawa Statutory and Regulatory Services said on Twitter that as of 8 a.m. on June 29, and in regards to Canada Day events and demonstrations in the city, they had issued 284 parking tickets, towed 79 vehicles, handed out three tickets for a freeway charge and two tickets for unlicensed mobile refreshments. While many who gathered in front of Parliament were angry about the federal government’s vaccine mandates, others were there because they had other grievances against Mr. Trudeau’s government, were curious or just wanted to be in Parliament for Canada Day. Joe Emmons and his wife, Tanya, of Digby, NS, were in Ottawa to visit their son and stopped by Wellington Street on Friday. Mr Emmons said they did not take part in the protest but were watching it and worried about the future of the country. Sunshine Village, Alta. is open for summer skiing and snowboarding for the first time since 1991. Brochure “The government doesn’t seem to be doing anything to keep Canada together,” Mr. Emmons said. “When your leader comes out and calls people misogynists and racists. I have family who are unvaccinated doctors and I know they are not misogynistic racists.’ Mr Emmons was referring to comments Mr Trudeau made last year on the campaign trail when he said “Yes, there is a small fringe element in this country that is angry, that doesn’t believe in science, that attacks with racist, misogynist attacks”. Ms Emmons said the division was hurting the country. The couple said they are vaccinated but have relatives who are not. Some other celebrations around the country had no marchers, such as Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, where a smaller group of people and families gathered. Many wore red and white clothing and a handful of Canadian flags were present. It was a hot and humid day for the city’s first Canada Day celebrations in three years, and visitors said they came out just to take a walk and enjoy the nice weather on a long weekend. “It’s really nice to see people out and about again,” said 36-year-old Bethany Stephenson. “But I expected there would be more people – maybe it’s the weather.” Elsewhere in the city, organizers were forced to cancel a fireworks show in the eastern part of the city after a supplier said he would not be able to complete his order on Thursday In a press release, the city said it worked through the night and was able to find alternative suppliers for its fireworks displays at 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 hold a fireworks display this year due to rising costs. In Banff, skiers and snowboarders were able to celebrate on the slopes thanks to a heavy winter snowfall that led to the Banff Sunshine Village opening its slopes in the summer for the first time since 1991. Spokeswoman Kendra Scurfield said skiers were enjoying the warm weather with a DJ set that featured a lineup of songs exclusively from Canada. “We’ve seen people come from all over the country,” Ms Scurfield said. “People are excited to celebrate our nation in the beautiful Canadian Rockies and in the snow.” With reporting by Jake Kivanc and The Canadian Press Our Morning and Afternoon Newsletters are compiled by Globe editors, giving you a brief overview of the day’s most important headlines. Register today.
