Parliament Hill · Canada Day 2008

The focal point for many Canadians on July 1st is Parliament Hill with its ceremonies and celebrations that are broadcast into the homes of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. For more information on Parliament Hill click here.  You can see Parliament Hill Live at the Hill Cam.

Choose from these Ottawa Canada Day Events:
 

Flag-Raising Ceremony

9:30 am

Join us as we mark the 400th anniversary of Québec, City, the 250th anniversary of parliamentary democracy in Nova Scotia and the 150th anniversary of the founding of the colony British Columbia.

Changing the Guard

10 am

A pageantry of marching music and military drills, performed by the Governor General’s Foot Guards.

RCMP Musical Ride

10:30 am

Representing a colourful tradition and ceremony, with scarlet uniforms and majestic horses, this performance gives Canadians from coast to coast an opportunity to experience part of our heritage and national identity.

Canada Day Noon Show on Parliament Hill

Noon to 1:30 pm

The Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages invites you to join the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and thousands of Canadians on Parliament Hill to mark the founding of the Canadian state 400 years ago: from Champlain to today.

Featuring:
Blue Rodeo (Ont.) — Adult rock
Diane Dufresne (Que.) — Rock
DRUM! (N.S.) — Percussion
Paul Brandt (Alta.) — Country
Gilles C. Sioui, Florent Vollant and Nathalie Picard (Que.) — Contemporary Aboriginal
Joel Plaskett Emergency (N.S.) — Folk rock
Kevin Parent (Que.) — Folk rock
Suzie McNeil (Ont.) — Pop, rock
Pascale Picard Band (Que.) — Pop, rock
Les Deux Rives choir (Ont. and Que.)
Be thrilled by Canada’s Snowbirds and CF-18s, cheer on the performers, and discover Canadian symbols and military traditions! Join the party on Parliament Hill, and let’s celebrate Canada’s birthday!

Live television broadcast and webcast on CBC, CBC Newsworld, Radio-Canada and RDI.

The Canada Day Poster Challenge 2008

12:10 pm

The Canada Day Poster Challenge 2008 was a resounding success. Close to 13,000 young people from across the country, aged 5 to 18, submitted posters that interpreted the theme “My Canada Today!” The national winner, Rémi Petitpas (age 13) of Haute-Aboujagane, New Brunswick, will be on Parliament Hill with his poster on Canada Day to meet the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages.

For more information about the poster challenge, visit Canada Day Poster Challenge 2008's website.

Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France

2 pm to 5 pm

Get a taste of this popular Quebec festival in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Québec City! Enjoy musicians, giant puppets, dancing and street performers inspired by 18th century settlers.

Canada Day Evening Show on Parliament Hill

A Tapestry of Talent!
Sponsored by Chicken Farmers of Canada, VIA Rail Canada, President’s Choice® and Rogers Television

6:30 pm to 10 pm

Featuring:
Imposs (Que.) — Urban, hip hop
Shad (Ont.) — Urban, hip hop
Dr. Draw (Que.) — Electronica, rock, classical, pop
DRUM! (N.S.) — Percussion
Ron Hynes (N.L.) — Folk, country
Kevin Parent (Que.) — Pop, rock
Joel Plaskett Emergency (N.S.) — Alternative, indie rock
Serena Ryder (Ont.) — Pop, folk, blues
Pascale Picard Band (Que.) — Folk, pop
Damien Robitaille (Que.) — Folk, country, pop
Tiller’s Folly (B.C.) — Celtic, folk, bluegrass
Paul Brandt (Alta.) — Country
Danny Boudreau (N.B.) — Pop, rock
Oliver Jones Trio (Que.) — Jazz
Diane Dufresne (Que.) — Pop, rock
Blue Rodeo (Ont.) — Rock, country
In collaboration with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
Live broadcast on Rogers Television.

President's Choice® Canada Day Fireworks Spectacular - 10:05 (approx.)

President’s Choice® Canada Day Fireworks Spectacular

10:05 pm (approx.)

This thunderous pyrotechnics show soars over the Ottawa River, beginning at 10:05 pm. Visitors can expect some special features this year, as we celebrate some of Canada’s important historical milestones.

The best views are from Jacques-Cartier Park, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Major’s Hill Park, and along the Ottawa River.