OTTAWA - With marching bands and troops, a fly-past by the world-renowned Snowbirds, the SkyHawks parachute team manoeuvring in flight, and the ceremonial raising of the Canadian flag, the National Capital Region's Canada Day celebrations will dazzle with performances by Canadian Forces (CF) personnel.
"Canadian Forces personnel are proud to represent Canadians around the world and are delighted to support Canada Day festivities here in the nation's capital and elsewhere around our beautiful country. We are all Canadian first," said General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff. "This year's celebrations are even more special, as we pay tribute and express our gratitude to the veterans and recognize their honour, courage and valour."
Based in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Snowbirds, will execute their traditional fly-past over Parliament Hill around 12:20 p.m. For over 35 years, the Snowbirds have thrilled more than 116 million spectators across North America. The SkyHawks, recognizable by their signature Canadian flag parachutes, will perform a daring display of aerial acrobatics, precision and teamwork landings in Gatineau's Jacques Cartier Park North at approximately 11:30 a.m.
The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Pipes and Drums and the Central Band of the Canadian Forces will parade from Festival Plaza at Ottawa City Hall to Parliament Hill, and then participate in the ceremonial raising of the Canadian flag. Dressed in full Highland regalia of red tunics and feather bonnets, the Camerons' nine-member flag party will also participate in the day's first flag-raising ceremony, scheduled for 9:45 a.m.
At 10 a.m. the Ceremonial Guard will conduct the Changing of the Guard ceremony on Parliament Hill. The Air Command Pipes and Drums will then entertain the crowd as it awaits the arrival of the state dignitaries for the noon show on Parliament Hill. 30 th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, will mark the arrival of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, with a 21-gun salute. Her Excellency will then inspect the troops on parade, and take the salute at the march past.
After this phase of the day's festivities, the Canadian Forces String Ensemble will perform in the Hall of Honour in the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings.
Canada Day is also significant for the Canadian Forces as it marks the official launch of Canada Command, the cornerstone of the CF's transformation process. Canada Command will provide the CF with a single operational focus for the military security of Canada and North America. F or the first time, a unified integrated chain of command at the national and regional levels will have the immediate authority to deploy Canada's maritime, land and air assets in support of domestic operations.
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Note to Editors: For more information about CF participation in Canada Day, see the Backgrounder at:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=1688
For detailed Canada Day scheduled events visit the NCC site at: http://www.ncc.gc.ca/canadaday/search_results_e.asp
