Virtual Canada Day celebrations planned in Ottawa for second straight July 1
For the second year in a row, Canada’s biggest birthday celebration will be held virtually in Ottawa.
Canadian Heritage has announced plans for a virtual show on July 1, instead of the usual massive celebrations at Parliament Hill, Major’s Hill Park, and other venues across the national capital region.
"Canada Day is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together Canadians across the country," said Canadian Heritage in a media release.
"This year, more than ever, Canada Day presents an opportunity to show solidarity, understanding, and resilience. It invites Canadians to come together from coast to coast to coast to reflect on our history and culture."
The social media hashtag #CancelCanadaDay has been trending following the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the site of a former residential school in B.C. Earlier this week, the City of Victoria announced it is no longer planning to host a virtual Canada Day celebration on July 1. Instead, it will create a broadcast focused on broader Canadian history with guidance from local Lekwungen people.
Canadian Heritage said Canada Day provides a day to hold "truthful, reconciling and inclusive dialogue, strengthen the ties that unite us, and look toward our country’s future with optimism while acknowledging the past."
On July 1, Canadian Heritage will host "Lights on Canada Day" at 8 p.m.
"The spotlight will be on those whose job it is to bring beauty to our lives and make our culture shine,” the Canadian Heritage statement said. "Lights on Canada Day is the Canada Day evening program, where we will showcase artists and artisans in the entertainment industry across the country, highlighting the excellence of their work."
Lights on Canada Day will be hosted by Jully Black and Veronic DiCaire, and features Jann Arden, Tyler Shaw, Major Funk, Josee, Les Trois Accords and more.
Canada Day celebrations typically include a noon show and an evening show on Parliament Hill, featuring Canadian artists. This is the second straight year in-person Canada Day festivities have been cancelled in Ottawa due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"For the second year in a row, in light of the current and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s priority of keeping Canadians safe, Canada Day will bring all Canadians together and allow them to express their national pride and honour for others in a virtual environment," said Canadian Heritage.
Ottawa and Ontario entered Step One of Ontario's COVID-19 reopening plan on Friday, which allows outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people. Outdoor performing arts and live music events are allowed in Step Two, while large indoor and outdoor social gatherings and organized public events are prohibited until Ontario enters Step Three, which isn't expected until late July.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.
Djokovic needs medical attention after getting knocked on the head by a water bottle at Italian Open
Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after apparently getting knocked on the head by a water bottle after a win at the Italian Open on Friday.