Canadians across the country flocked to local celebrations to commemorate the country’s 158th birthday.
Canada Day this year also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag and the 45th anniversary of the official adoption of O Canada as the national anthem.
Here’s a look at some of the events held across Canada.
In Ottawa, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon invested six individuals — including actor Ryan Reynolds and musician Heather Rankin — into the Order of Canada during a ceremony, while thousands gathered in the capital’s LeBreton Flats Park for musical performances, Indigenous cultural demonstrations and flybys from Snowbirds military jets.
In front of Toronto City Hall, hundreds gathered in Nathan Phillips Square to take pictures in front of the three-dimensional Toronto sign, and enjoy live music and dance performances.
Dozens of people took the oath of citizenship and became Canadian citizens at different ceremonies across the province.
“Becoming a Canadian means I have the opportunity to … grow, to belong and to dream,” Kelly Nguyen said at one such event in Winnipeg.
“I promise to be a proud Canadian, to love and respect this country as I would to my motherland.”
A citizenship ceremony also took place at the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax. New citizens received Canadian flags, took an oath and sang O Canada.
Brad Pease, originally from Denmark, and his family were among the new Canadians.
“We saw it as a great opportunity for us as a family. [It’s] a beautiful place to live and lots of diversity and different experiences that we could have as a family,” he said.
Joy, pride on full display at Canada Day citizenship ceremony in Halifax
Crowds wearing red and white gathered at the top of Signal Hill, a national historic site that overlooks the St. John’s harbour, for a sunrise ceremony.
Sharon Hart, decked out in Canada-themed clothing, said she’s been regularly celebrating at Signal Hill for 40 years, and it gives her a feeling of connection.
“It’s just so nice to come and see everybody,” she said.
Vancouver’s celebration at Canada Place bills itself as the largest event on the day outside Ottawa, and the city says it is planned collaboratively with the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
The celebrations at the waterfront run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a number of other events throughout the city such as on Granville Island.
In Alberta, where talk of separation from Canada has dominated much of the political discussion following the Liberals’ win in April’s federal election, hundreds soaked up the sun on the legislature grounds in Edmonton.
“I’m proud to be Canadian and standing strong for Canada,” said Alice Rutto, who noted that the recent separatism is what prompted her to come out for the celebrations.
But Jack O’Brien had mixed views. While he said Canada Day is a day for “everyone to come together” and isn’t the time for independence talk, his views about Canada will be different on July 2.
“This is the time for us to celebrate Canada, correct? But if you ask me tomorrow about separation, it’s a whole different story,” said O’Brien, who lives in a rural community.
“I’m not a fan of the Liberal government and I would think a majority of Albertans are not, and to be honest, if they wanted to separate and wanted my vote, they would get it.”
