Mother Nature rains on Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa

A sea of red, white and rain gear covered downtown Ottawa and several parks across the capital, as residents and visitors celebrated Canada's 156th birthday.

A sea of red, white and rain gear covered downtown Ottawa and several parks across the capital, as residents and visitors celebrated Canada's 156th birthday.

Mother Nature forced the temporary postponement of Canada Day celebrations at LeBreton Flats, on Parliament Hill and at events in the suburbs due to heavy rain that moved through the area Saturday afternoon.

The weather cleared in time for the Canada Day evening show to proceed at LeBreton Flats, and events resumed at Petrie Island, Stittsville, Riverside South and other areas.  Fireworks in Kanata, Beacon Hill and Dunrobin have been cancelled Saturday evening due to the weather. Organizers of the Kanata Canada Day celebration say the fireworks will take place on Sunday, July 2 at 10 p.m. at Walter Baker Park.

Earlier in the day, tens of thousands of people packed LeBreton Flats to kick off Canada's birthday party with the daytime show.

"The world and our country are facing incredible challenges right now," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the crowd.

"War has returned to Europe; climate change is making extreme weather like wildfires, floods and hurricanes even worse; inflation, even though it is getting better, is still putting real stress on families. But no matter the challenges we face, we will get through it the same way we always do by staying true to our values."

The daytime ceremony included performances by Tyler Shaw, Pierre Kwenders, Josiane and Diyet. The evening show featured performances by Jann Arden, Roxane Bruneau, Jojo Mason and France D'Amour.