Families enjoying the Family Day holiday in the National Capital Region

Families took advantage of a day off work and school to take in Family Day events across Ottawa and the region. CTV’s Camille Wilson reports.

Families took to the snow hills for some Family Day thrills at Le Domaine De L’Ange-Gardien near Gatineau on Monday.

Hundreds spent the Ontario holiday at the snow tubing hill in Quebec, enjoying the great outdoors, warming up in the chalet and having a hot drink by the fire pit.

Le Domaine welcomes everyone of all ages with eight slides of different degrees and a tow lift to pull you up the hill.

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“We have some nice snow; it’s a nice sunny day. It’s a really amazing day. We’re welcoming Family Day people from Ontario. We’re glad to see everyone,” said co-owner Sylvain Leger.

Maria Martinez is enjoying Family Day at the hills with her family. It is her first time tubing.

“It couldn’t be any more like Family Day. We wanted to find something winter, something family, something to introduce me as well to the Canadian culture. I’m from Brazil,” said Martinez.

People can tube individually or together. Tubes are provided, as well as helmets for a $5 rental cost. Helmets are not mandatory, but they are recommended. A signed waiver is required from each person.

Le Domaine de L’Ange-Gardien also offers 20-minute horse and sleigh rides and dogsled rides.

The ice activities continued in Ottawa as families enjoyed the Mayor’s Family Day Skate at the Rink of Dreams with live music, family activities and BeaverTails.

The first annual Ottawa Mega Heart Event also took place at the Nepean Sportsplex for the holiday, educating families about the importance of heart health.

“It’s a family day and we’re just really excited to get people talking about heart health and discussing heart healthy behaviors, learning from each other, connecting and hopefully having a good time with the family, the kids,” said Lisa Comber, Manager at the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance.

The event featured educational games and activities for kids, information sessions, cardio exercises for people to get moving, and hearing from former heart patients.

“It’s so important to get involved with the Heart Institute. I believe I need to give back to the Heart Institute as they saved my life. On March 3rd, it will be 11 years that I have my mechanical valve. Without them, I wouldn’t be here right now,” said Lucie Gauthier, a former heart patient and Patient Alumni Association president.

Comber says it’s all about teaching people to eat well, talk to their doctors, and know their numbers—their blood pressure, their cholesterol levels—and how to cope with stress. She says it’s an opportunity for to learn, hear from each other, start doing heart healthy behaviors and have a great fun day with the family.

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Families took the day to learn more and teach their children saying it’s important for the whole family to learn about heart health.

“These are very important for adults, but equally for children to really know at the tender age how their hearts work, how it forms blood, how important it is for the organism,” said parent Kelly Kenfack.

“Our heart is the most valuable part. We have only one. Therefore, we need to take care of it,” said Gauthier.