What you need to know about Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa
A sea of red and white filled downtown Ottawa and LeBreton Flats to celebrate Canada's 155th birthday, while residents also packed Canada Day events across the city of Ottawa.
Tens of thousands of people are attending the first in-person Canada Day events in Ottawa in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first Canada Day with events at LeBreton Flats and Place des festivals Zibi in Gatineau.
There is a strong police presence through the downtown area and around the Canada Day festivities at LeBreton Flats to keep people safe, and in the event of any protests.
"Come, don't be worried. This is a festival. This is to celebrate Canada, that's why we've gone to the extent we have to put the plans in place and the resources around it," interim Chief Steve Bell told The Evan Solomon Show. "It's going to be a safe environment, that's why we're here to ensure that."
A motor vehicle control zone remains in effect in an area from Sussex Drive/Colonel By Drive in the east to Booth Street in the west and Wellington Street to the north to Laurier Avenue to the south. There is no on-street parking or stopping in the area, and any vehicle failing to observe the rules may be ticketed and towed.
Between 8 a.m. Wednesday and 5 p.m. Friday, Ottawa Bylaw said officers issued 284 parking tickets and towed 79 vehicles inside the vehicle control zone.
Several roads in the downtown core and around LeBreton Flats will be closed throughout the day, along with the Alexandra Bridge, Portage Bridge and Chaudiere Crossing.
Hundreds of people took part in a "March to Freedom" protest event in downtown Ottawa, with protesters chanting "No More Mandates", "Freedom" and "Liberte."
Just before 1 p.m., dozens of people gathered on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill and chanted "Free Pat King." Pat King was one of the organizers of the "Freedom Convoy", and remains in jail on charges connected to his involvement in the three-week protest.
CTV News' Mackenzie Gray reported say some protesters tried to set up a table in front of Parliament Hill, but Bylaw Services officers moved in to order them to remove the table.
Police on Guard for Thee announced late Thursday evening a Family Day picnic in Strathcona Park had been cancelled.
"Police on Guard has decided that given a recent incident in Ottawa, we are canceling our Family Day Picnic Event we had planned in Strathcona Park," Police on Guard for Thee said on Facebook.
"We apologize to everyone who had plans to attend. We will provide more information in the upcoming few days."
Meantime, thousands of people attended Canada Day events from Constance Bay to Orleans, as families and friends enjoyed community fairs, barbecues and other events.
Some Ottawa residents decided to skip a trip downtown for Canada Day, celebrating at one of several community events across the capital.
"This is local, it's easy and they have a lot of activities targeted towards the little ones," Steven Knapp said while attending the Barrhaven Canada Day event.
At Petrie Island in Ottawa's east end, people enjoyed a day at the beach and Canada Day festivities.
LEBRETON FLATS
People planning to attend Canada Day events at LeBreton Flats are being reminded there are rules for signs, banners and flags.
Cardboard and Coroplast signs and banners are allowed, while wood and metal signs are prohibited. The maximum size is 61 cm x 24 cm by 1 cm.
Flags may be hand-held, but may not be affixed to any structure or mast.
"All signs or banners cannot be left unattended. Messages that are obscene, offensive or that promotes hatred are prohibited," Canadian Heritage said.
VISITiNG LEBRETON FLATS/PARLIAMENT HILL
Visitors to the Canada Day events at LeBreton Flats and to Parliament Hill must pass through airport-style metal detectors and have their bags searched before entering.
A sign on the Parliament Hill fence along Wellington Street says several items are restricted, including tables, speakers, barbecues, aerosols, weapons, fireworks and sporting equipment.
CANADA DAY IN OTTAWA
Several Canada Day events are scheduled across the city, from Constance Bay, Stittsville and Kanata to Orleans.
For a list of Canada Day events in Ottawa, click here.
OC TRANSPO
Public transit is free in Ottawa today.
OC Transpo is offering no-charge service on the Confederation Line, OC Transpo buses and Para Transpo all day.
You can visit OC Transpo’s Travel Planner to plan your trip.
If you are going to LeBreton Flats, you can take the Confederation Line or a bus to Lyon Station and walk to the event site entrance on Wellington Street.
The Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) will be providing service at no charge on July 1, and it is the only option to get to and from Gatineau.
ROAD CLOSURES
Several roads are closed around the Parliamentary Precinct, downtown Ottawa and LeBreton Flats today for Canada Day celebrations.
The following City of Ottawa streets will be closed July 1 at 6 a.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m.
- Wellington Street between Bank Street and Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway
- Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway between Parkdale Avenue and Wellington Street
- Sparks Street between Lyon Street North and Bronson Avenue
- Queen Street between Bank Street and Bronson Avenue
- Bank Street between Wellington Street and Queen Street
- Kent Street between Wellington Street and Albert Street
- Lyon Street between Wellington Street and Albert Street
- Bay Street between Wellington Street and Albert Street
- Bronson Avenue between Sparks Street and Albert Street
- Commissioner Street between Wellington Street and Albert Street
- Booth Street between Chaudière Crossing and Albert Street
- Vimy Place between Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway and Booth Street
- Fleet Street between Booth Street and Lett Street
- Lloyd Street between Fleet Street and Lett Street
- Lett Street between Lloyd Street and Wellington Street
- Onigam Street between Lemieux Island and Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway
The motor vehicle control zone remains in effect from Sussex Drive/Colonel By Drive in the east, Booth Street in the west, Wellington Street in the north and Laurier Avenue in the south.
There is no on-street parking or stopping as indicated by posted signage on roads in the control zone.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Jackie Perez and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.