Canadians Mark Canada Day as Heat Warnings Affect Central Canada

Canadians celebrated the country’s 159th birthday on Wednesday with concerts, parades and fireworks across the country, while extreme heat affected much of southern Ontario and Quebec. In Ottawa, crowds gathered on Parliament Hill for Canada Day ceremonies and performances featuring artists including Barenaked Ladies, Alessia Cara, Loud and Isabelle Boulay. Prime Minister Mark Carney used the occasion to call for unity, saying Canadians have shown strength through difficult times and are strongest when they stand together. Carney also highlighted Canada’s goals in space and sports, referenced astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and said he would travel later in the day to Edmonton for one of the country’s largest Canada Day events. Governor General Louise Arbour also urged Canadians to focus on what unites them, while former prime minister Justin Trudeau encouraged people to reconnect across regional and political divides. Heat warnings remained in effect across parts of southern Ontario and southern Quebec, changing some plans and prompting safety advice from officials. Some events were cancelled or moved indoors, while other communities, including Montreal and Westville, N.S., continued with their planned celebrations.