Celebrations, fireworks taking place in Ottawa despite air quality concerns
CTV
Canada Day celebrations are underway in Ottawa and across the country today, although some have been scaled back due to poor air quality.
Thousands of Canadians donned the national colours, offered rousing cheers for patriotic speeches and took in artistic and cultural exhibits across the country on Saturday at Canada Day festivities held from coast to coast.
Many of the festivities held in honour of the 156th anniversary of Canada's confederation marked a return to normalcy after years worth of cancellations prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But some regions still had to celebrate without traditional trappings like fireworks, as ongoing wildfires and their resulting smoke prompted several municipalities to nix the displays due to poor visibility and compromised air quality.
The most prominent Canada Day celebrations unfolded in Ottawa, with the main entertainment taking place at LeBreton Flats just west of the downtown core.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon were on hand for the morning round of events at the site.
"People are coming to Canada to proudly call it their home and build their lives and our communities and our country, all together," Trudeau told a cheering crowd.
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.
