Canadians highlight national diversity, freedoms at Canada Day celebrations

The sounds of Indigenous drumming rang out alongside songs and cheers in honour of Canada Day on Saturday as Canadians from coast to coast gathered to celebrate the diversity and freedom they say make the country special.

The sounds of Indigenous drumming rang out alongside songs and cheers in honour of Canada Day on Saturday as Canadians from coast to coast gathered to celebrate the diversity and freedom they say make the country special.

Municipalities across the country marked a return to the kinds of celebrations seen before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted years worth of cancellations, though for some the return to normalcy was marred by air quality and weather conditions that forced them to nix marquee events like fireworks shows.

But at the parades, concerts and tributes that did proceed, Canadians and dignitaries alike took time to highlight traditions from Indigenous peoples and cultures around the world.

"People are coming to Canada to proudly call it their home and build their lives and our communities and our country, all together," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a cheering crowd at a Canada Day ceremony in Ottawa.

He said the country has withstood challenges, like wildfires and war in Europe, by showing compassion, engagement, openness and democracy.

"That's Canada's advantage in the world now more than ever," he said.

Many of the festivities held in honour of the 156th anniversary of Canada's confederation unfolded under hazy skies clouded over with smog from recent wildfires.