Troops conduct 21-gun salute at Government House Park for Canada Day

Troops from the 20th Field Artillery Regiment execute a 21-gun salute at Government House Park in Edmonton on July 1, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton/Sean McClune)

Booms echoed from Government House through the Edmonton core and across the river around lunch time as soldiers conducted a 21-gun salute in honour of Canada Day.

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A 21-gun salute is typically done on Remembrance Day, but it is tradition for the 20th Field Artillery Regiment to do so on July 1 in Edmonton.

Capt. Zachary Caterini of the 61st battery said they primarily do the salute for historical purposes.

“(We also) show the community that we’re here and practice the skills of the troops as well,” said Caterini following the salute. “We want to keep the skills of our troops currently honed and ready for operational demands.”

All of the troops are qualified on howitzers, an artillery weapon that falls between a cannon and a mortar, which were used during the salute. The howitzers use 105 millimetre shells with blank rounds.

While normally done at the Alberta legislature, the salute has been executed at Government House Park by the former Royal Alberta Museum location in Glenora.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Sean McClune.