Parliament Hill’s ongoing construction work will push this year’s Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa to LeBreton Flats, about 1.5 kilometers to the west, the Canadian Heritage reported.
Parliament Hill last hosted Canada’s National Day in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the major rehabilitation of Center Block has reduced the space available for public events on the wide lawn in front of the parliament building.
The construction occupies a significant part of the lawn on the Parliament Hill. This is what Monday morning looked like. (Government of Canada)
In an email Monday, the Canadian Heritage said moving the party from the Hill “will allow as many people as possible to participate in Canada Day activities.”
On July 1, the afternoon and evening shows will take place at LeBreton Flats Park in front of the Canadian Military Museum, overlooking the Peace Tower in the background. Less than a week later, the same venue will host the Ottawa Bluesfest, also for the first time since 2019.
The Canadian Heritage said the Place des festivals Zibi, just opposite the Chaudière and Portage bridges of LeBreton Flats, will host family events on July 1. This venue hosts the Cirque du Soleil show and the drive-in edition of Bluesfest 2020.
Parliament Hill will still host “some activities”, and Canadian Heritage promises more details on this year’s Canada Day events.
Ottawa Bluesfest Main Stage at LeBreton Flats 2017 (CBC)
Organizers originally planned to move the holiday from the Hill in 2020, but instead the pandemic forced it online. Most of the events for Canada Day in 2020 and 2021 took place virtually.
Last year, crowds flocked to downtown Ottawa to take part in a rally to cancel Canada Day, which called on Canadians to rethink patriotic celebrations in light of the opening of graves in former residential schools.
City officials have asked Ottawa’s chief auditor to review the response to the occupation of the freedom convoy this winter and to try to prepare all the resulting recommendations in time for July 1.
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