‘It’s special this year:’ Ottawa celebrates Canada Day amid surge of national pride

CTV’s Jackie Perez on what to expect from the festivities at the National Canada Day ceremony in Ottawa.

A sea of red and white packed into LeBreton Flats when gates opened to kick off Canada Day festivities across the nation’s capital.

Early festivalgoers snagged a spot along the stage where dignitaries and performers will appear throughout the day before a fireworks show to celebrate Canada’s 158th birthday.

The federal Heritage Department says about 8,000 people attended the daytime festivities.

“It’s special this year, I’m especially proud to be Canadian, said Heloise Vostie, who came from Quebec City.

“It’s different this year. So many things happening right now with our neighbours to the south. Really proud of the position we take on inclusion, equality and respect.”

This year’s Canada Day celebrations come amid a growth of national pride and patriotism in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada and make it the 51st state while levying stiff tariffs on imports.

Speaking to the crowd gathered under a warm and humid day in the nation’s capital, Prime Minister Mark Carney called for national unity in his first Canada Day remarks.

“We find ourselves in a situation where our economy is being attacked by a trade war that we didn’t start. We find ourselves in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms – attacks that we must resist,” he told the crowd.

“As the world becomes more divided and dangerous, Canadians are uniting.”

The prime minister touched on moments of Canada’s heroism, from the Battle of Vimy Ridge to the role of Gander, N.L., in supporting people whose flights were grounded after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Actor Ryan Reynolds and musician Heather Rankin were among several who were invested as Officers of the Order of Canada by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, was also in attendance and provided remarks.

Simon said in a speech the country is on a journey of reconciliation that began by listening to each other, by honouring the past and “holding space for the pain and resilience” of Indigenous Peoples.

“Kindness is the thread that weaves our communities together,” she said.

Carney was also spotted greeting people at the Seniors and Families Breakfast Canada Day celebration in Barrhaven Tuesday morning.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe paid a visit to Orléans where festivities were being organized at Petrie Island.

“There’s nowhere else in the world that’s better to be than Ottawa on Canada Day and it’s been spectacular so far,” he told CTV News Ottawa.

“I think with everything that’s happened so far this year, it just means there’s so much more Canadian pride on display and I see so many people with flags in their windows and on their homes. There’s just been a great energy in our city.”

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds flew over LeBreton Flats and returned to perform a non-aerobatic display at Parliament Hill later in the afternoon.

The daytime activities will be followed by a national evening show featuring performances by Sarah McLachlan, Coeur de Pirate, Josh Ross, Tom Cochrane, Mitsou and more.

The event is again taking place west of Parliament Hill in the LeBreton Flats area as Centre Block continues renovations that are scheduled to last another seven years.

Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Jackie Perez, Josh Marano and The Canadian Press

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