OTTAWA — Ottawa's Canada Day ceremony is getting the royal treatment, with Prince Edward praising Canada's unity and accomplishments in a speech during a noon event at LeBreton Flats Park.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canadians have chosen to unite despite living in a fractured world with economic pressures and insecurity, in what is his first national holiday since taking office in March.
Canada Day this year coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag and the 45th anniversary of the official adoption of O Canada as the national anthem.
The ongoing ceremony in will also mark the 45th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope.
Gov. Gen Mary Simon is set to invest six individuals into the Order of Canada during the ceremony, including actor Ryan Reynolds and musician Heather Rankin.
The evening show in Ottawa will feature artists like Sarah McLachlan, Coeur de Pirate, Brenda Montana, Dear Rogue and Alex Wells.
The Ottawa 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.
Other Canada Day ceremonies are planned across the country, including the Canada Together event in Vancouver and a celebration at Victoria Park in Charlottetown.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2025.
Alessia Passafiume and Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
