Canada to hold an unusual inauguration day party in Washington

Some Donald Trump fans stopped to snap photos of an unexpected sight during their inauguration jaunt through downtown Washington, D.C.

"Canada congratulates Donald Trump," one exclaimed on Sunday, as he read the sign atop the Canadian Embassy flanked by enormous maple leaf flags off Pennsylvania Avenue.

"Think Justin Trudeau's up there?"

No, the prime minister was not there. But more than 1,500 people may, indeed, be there attending Canada's quadrennial inauguration day party on Monday.

This year's event is a weird one.

The absence of a parade on Pennsylvania Avenue because of inclement weather isn't the only reason this will be an atypical party.

It's the first time since Canada's Embassy opened at its choice location by Capitol Hill in 1989 that there are no formal festivities to witness live from its traditional party.

The other oddity: Partygoers will spend the whole day anxiously awaiting a slew of potentially damaging executive orders threatened by the star of the day, Trump.

It's like throwing a party and wondering if you're on the menu.

There are myriad rumours about what economic penalties Trump might impose: A tiny tariff? A big tariff with loopholes? A temporary tariff? A process to eventually impose tariffs? Or will he fulfil his most severe threat: a full 25 per cent tariff on Canada and Mexico.

Canada's ambassador to the United States said she expects some sort of trade penalty from Trump — and the exact shape isn't clear.

"I hesitate to say, it's 'almost certain,' but most people I talk to think there's some version of a tariff action that will be put forward," Kirsten Hillman told CBC News in a recent interview.

"Whether it's on us, whether it's on others ... I don't know. I hope that they're all wrong. But I think we have to be ready for that."

Trump's team briefed Republican allies on Capitol Hill on Sunday on scores of executive orders coming the next day, and it's unclear where trade fits in.