Canada's Capital Region, June 15, 2006 — Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, along with Marcel Beaudry, Chair of the National Capital Commission (NCC), announced the celebrations planned for Canada Day 2006 and the Canadian artists who will perform in the National Capital Region in honour of the country's 139th birthday.
Minister Oda and Mr. Beaudry made the announcement this morning, at the Astrolabe, a scenic park overlooking the Ottawa River, from which the Canada Day fireworks display is launched. They unveiled the line-up of performers that will be on‑stage for the noon and evening shows on Parliament Hill. They also called upon all Canadians to make Canada's Capital their destination on July 1 to celebrate our nation's birthday.
“The Canada Day noon show will be a fun and lively street party acknowledging the contributions of young people to society in the fields of sports, culture, and the arts in Canada and around the world,” said Minister Oda. “The show will also highlight the achievements of young leaders in their fields, who are a source of inspiration for all Canadians.”
“Since 1984, the NCC, with the support of its sponsors and partners, has organized the biggest birthday party in the country,” said Mr. Beaudry. “We are proud to once again offer a variety of entertainment and free activities on July 1 on both sides of the Ottawa River and to welcome hundreds of thousands of people to the heart of Canada's Capital to celebrate their pride in being Canadian.”
Special guests, sponsors, partners, and collaborators were given a glimpse of this year's Canada Day celebrations with performances by tap dancer Travis Knights and two artistic gymnasts, as well as a testimonial from a young Canadian humanitarian achiever, Ryan Hreljac.
Throughout the day, thousands of Canadians will gather on Parliament Hill to celebrate our nation's birthday along with the following artists:
Colin James (British Columbia)
Ariane Moffatt (Quebec)
Jesse Cook and Samba Squad (Ontario)
Tanya Tagaq Gillis (Nunavut)
Michel Pagliaro (Quebec)
African Guitar Summit (Ontario and British Columbia)
Stephen Fearing (Ontario)
Wil (Alberta)
Annie Villeneuve (Quebec)
Jean-François Breau (New Brunswick)
Aselin Debison (Nova Scotia)
Kyle Riabko (Saskatchewan)
Unisong (All provinces)
Travis Knights (Quebec)
Stars (Quebec)
They are sure to entertain the crowds with their music, dance, and singing performances. The Canada Day evening show is presented in collaboration with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and is sponsored by Chicken Farmers of Canada, VIA Rail Canada, and Hbc.
OTHER CANADA DAY ACTIVITIES ON OFFICIAL SITES AND IN THE CAPITAL REGION
Every year, more than 300,000 visitors head to the three official Canada Day sites—Parliament Hill; Major's Hill Park, in Ottawa; and Jacques-Cartier Park, in Gatineau—to participate in interactive games, watch amazing performances, and experience the breathtaking Canada Day firework display that tops off the day.
The festivities will kick off early on July 1 with the Hbc Run for Canada, sponsored by Hbc. Three different races will attract thousands of participants to compete on both sides of the Ottawa River.
New to the Canada Day program this year is the commemorative ceremony in honour of the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Beaumont–Hamel during the First World War. The event will be held at the National War Memorial and will pay special tribute to Canadian Veterans. The traditional flag‑raising will be part of this ceremony.
The focal point for many Canadians on July 1 is Parliament Hill with its pomp and pageantry, including the Changing of the Guard; the RCMP Musical Ride; the Canada on the March musical salute, featuring the Air Command Pipes and Drums Band; the aerial manoeuvres of the SkyHawks over Parliament Hill before landing in Jacques-Cartier Park; and the flypast of the Snowbirds.
Major's Hill Park will host a variety of family activities highlighting Canadian arts and popular traditions. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Buck 65, La Volée d'Castors, K'naan, Kinnie Starr, and Joel Fafard will take the stage as part of the evening show. Visitors to the park can try a delicious chicken sandwich and get some tips on cooking on the barbecue at the 14th Annual Great Canadian Chicken BBQ, presented by Canada Day's national sponsor, Chicken Farmers of Canada. Families can also stop by the VIA Rail tent for all kinds of activities for kids, including rides on a miniature VIA train.
Throughout the day, Jacques-Cartier Park will offer special dance demonstrations, arts and crafts workshops, as well as games for children, artefact exhibits, and demonstrations of traditional Aboriginal games. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Ariane Moffatt, Plaster, Bïa, Afro-Dizz and Bob la Cuillère will perform.
For more information on Canada Day celebrations in Canada's Capital Region, contact the National Capital Commission at 1 800-465-1867 or at 613 239-5000. You may also stop by the Capital Infocentre located at 90 Wellington Street, in Ottawa, or visit the Canada Day website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/canadaday
For more information on the Canada Day Program, please visit the Department of Canadian Heritage website at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/canada
Information:
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Media Relations Advisor
National Capital Commission
613 239-5092 (office)
613 720-6305 (cellular)
Robert Paterson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
The National Capital Commission is proud to organize the Canada Day celebrations in the heart of Canada's Capital Region thanks to the support of the following sponsors and partners: Canadian Heritage, Foreign Affairs Canada, Parks Canada, Indian Northern Affairs Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada, Canadian Forces, Public Works and Government Services Canada, National Defence, Canadian International Development Agency, Ville de Gatineau, Chicken Farmers of Canada, VIA Rail Canada, Hbc, Teletoon, Pizza Pizza, Rogers Wireless, Southbank Dodge Chrysler Jeep, and the Westin Ottawa.
