Crowds started to make their way downtown Tuesday morning to attend
Canada Day festivities
against the backdrop of renewed threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to make Canada the 51st state.
Keen festival-goers trickled into LeBreton Flats at 9 a.m. when the site opened, awaiting speeches from a number officials, including
Mark Carney
, who was set to give his first Canada Day remarks as prime minister. Carney’s speech will come just a couple of days after his government dropped its digital services tax in the face of pressure from Trump.
Manoj Kumar was among those who arrived early at LeBreton Flats.
The Findlay Creek resident said he believes Carney is the right man to mend relations with the U.S.
“He can bring the international stage back to Canada because we lost that credibility over the last few years,” Kumar said. “I’m really looking forward to (hearing him).”
Governor General Mary Simon
and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, where also set to deliver speeches.
“In the past year, Canadians have made their voices heard and demonstrated exceptional resilience and unity as a proud sovereign nation,” Simon said in a statement. “From coast to coast to coast, it has been wonderful to meet kind, compassionate, and determined people.”
The trade war initiated by Trump and the subsequent global uncertainty has fuelled a renewed sense of Canadian patriotism, which is expected to be on full display as the nation celebrates the 158th anniversary of confederation.
The crowd at LeBreton Flats slowly began to grow around 10 a.m. Several families came out early with their young children, hoping to entertain them with various activities.
Zaw Tint and Chaw Su Win live not far from LeBreton Flats. The couple said they celebrate Canada Day for more than one special reason.
On July 10, it will be Su Win’s second year in Canada after immigrating from Thailand.
“I love Canada so much,” she said. “Even during winter.”
Tint has been living in Canada for nearly three decades. Su Win was in Myanmar until she moved to Thailand. She later secured permanent residency in Canada and the couple have now been married for four years.
Tint said Trump’s “51st state rhetoric” made them understand just how much they loved Canada.
“This is the occasion that we realized we are really Canadian and love Canada,” he said.
Follow along as we bring you the latest news from the festivities.
