OTTAWA — Ottawa's Canada Day ceremony featured leaders touting national unity in a world shaken by wars, American threats and economic uncertainty.
"We've decided not to pull apart and fight, but to come together and to build. Because that’s the Canadian way," Prime Minister Mark Carney said to thousands of Canadians gathered in the nation's capital.
This year's festivities at LeBreton Flats Park got the royal treatment, with Prince Edward praising Canada's unity and accomplishments.
"Seeing this sea of red and white, there is only one sense that I have here," the Duke of Edinburgh said. "Today is truly a celebration of you, and your home and your land, strong and free."
Leaders gave speeches interlaced with musical performances, Indigenous cultural demonstrations and double flypast of Snowbirds military jets. The federal Heritage Department counts 8,000 people attending the ongoing events.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said the country is on a journey of reconciliation that began by listening to each other, by honouring the past and "holding space for the pain and resilience" of Indigenous Peoples.
"Kindness is the thread that weaves our communities together," she said.
In Carney's first national holiday since taking office in March, the prime minister touched on moments in Canada's history of coming together, from the Battle of Vimy Ridge to the role of Gander, N.L., in supporting people whose flights were grounded after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"Once again, we find ourselves in a situation where the world is being convulsed. We find ourselves in a situation where our economy is being attacked by a trade war we didn't start," Carney said.
"Our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms — attacks that we must resist. And once again, as the world is becoming more divided and dangerous, Canadians are uniting."
Carney used his speech to tout legislation his government passed to speed up the permitting of major projects, despite Bill C-5 attracting controversy from environmentalists, Indigenous groups and democracy advocates.
He called on Canadians to show the same industrious spirit that got the St. Lawrence Seaway built and 1967 Expo in Montreal, and to "build, baby, build" in the face of U.S. economic threats.
Carney's speech alluded to U.S. President Donald Trump's series of tariffs on Canada, just days after the White House flip-flopped on suspending trade talks and then resuming them when Carney axed the digital-services tax, which had attracted the ire of Big Tech firms.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra did not touch on that dispute in his written Canada Day message.
"I’m reminded of the extensive history our two nations share of working together, even before Confederation, at home and on the world stage. Today we remain committed to advancing our shared goals — from strengthening continental defence through Norad to combating the deadly threat of fentanyl to our citizens," he wrote.
Canada Day this year coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag and the 45th anniversary of the official adoption of "O Canada" as the national anthem.
The ceremony also marked the 45th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope. Federal Canadian Identity Minister Steven Guilbeault noted that Terry's younger brother Darrell was present, as part of a team of cyclists biking 7,000 kilometres from Vancouver to St. John's.
"I want to thank you for all you do, and for the inspiration, hope, and pride you bring to Canadians through your dedication to cancer research," Guilbeault said.
He also noted the passing of "remarkable Canadians and Indigenous Peoples we lost" over the past year, including actor Donald Sutherland and the former head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Murray Sinclair.
"Their legacies live on in the people they inspired, the change they sparked, and the Canada they helped build," Guilbeault said.
Canada Day is also taking place amid a small but growing separation movement in Alberta. Premier Danielle Smith called her province "a driving force for good in a united and prosperous Canada," in her written remarks, saying Alberta reflects Canada's values.
"We take care of each other, stand up for what is right and never back down from a challenge. Together we build strong communities where people from all backgrounds can thrive," she wrote. "We believe in freedom, fairness and opportunity for all."
In Ottawa, Simon invested six individuals into the Order of Canada during the ceremony, including actor Ryan Reynolds and musician Heather Rankin.
The evening show in Ottawa will feature artists like Sarah McLachlan, Coeur de Pirate, Brenda Montana, Dear Rogue and Alex Wells.
The Ottawa event is again taking place west of Parliament Hill in the LeBreton Flats area as Centre Block continues renovations that are scheduled to last another seven years.
Other Canada Day ceremonies were planned across the country, including the Canada Together event in Vancouver and a celebration at Victoria Park in Charlottetown.
In front of Toronto City Hall, hundreds gathered at Nathan Phillips Square to take pictures in front of the three-dimensional Toronto sign, enjoy the live music and dance performances and celebrate what it means to be Canadian.
Phoenix Deluca said she drove in from Peterborough, Ont., with her friends visiting from Scotland so they could join the celebrations.
"It's nice to show off Canada," she said. "I'm very proud to be Canadian."
Others are celebrating their cultural backgrounds alongside their Canadian identity. Martin van Denzen said he's been in the country ever since he was 18 after immigrating to Canada from the Netherlands in 1957.
"Being Canadian, the freedom and the wide-open spaces, I love it out here," he said.
Carlos Gama immigrated to Canada three years ago from Brazil, and said he's spent every Canada Day since then in downtown Toronto. He said he'll be celebrating with "poutine and other Canadian foods."
— With files from Natasha Baldin in Toronto.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2025.
Alessia Passafiume and Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
