CANADA'S CAPITAL REGION, June 3, 2008 -- This year, Canada Day celebrations in the Capital Region will feature an exciting array of artists and a range of activities that will highlight the founding of our country and our cultural diversity.
The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, and Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, today announced the celebrations planned in Canada's Capital Region on July 1, 2008, which marks the 141st anniversary of Confederation. They invited all Canadians to celebrate our history and our achievements on July 1. This year's Canada Day Noon Show theme is "The founding of the Canadian state 400 years ago; from Champlain to today."
"Throughout 2008, Canada will celebrate four centuries of history: the 400th anniversary of the founding of Québec City. There are few North American cities that can celebrate such a past. It is the history of the men and women from here and elsewhere who built this city and who contributed to its growth in so many ways," said Minister Verner. "In 2008, we celebrate a historic date for the whole of Canada and North America. It was in 1608, with the founding of Québec City, that we truly started to become what we are today. The founding of Québec City also marks the founding of the Canadian state. From Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia, Canadians will join in this great celebration."
"The National Capital Commission invites Canadians to gather in their Capital Region on Canada Day as we celebrate Canadian traditions and our collective history," said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. "The celebrations organized on Canada Day this year will highlight the founding moments of our country and showcase talent from across Canada."
In addition to showcasing Canadian talent and traditions, Canada Day festivities will highlight important historical milestones, including the 400th anniversary of Québec City, the 250th anniversary of the birth of Canadian parliamentary democracy in Nova Scotia, and the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Colony of British Columbia. Activities organized on July 1 in the Capital Region will take place at three official sites: Parliament Hill and Major's Hill Park, in Ottawa, and Jacques-Cartier Park, in Gatineau. Again this year, the day-long celebration will culminate in the spectacular President's Choice Canada Day Fireworks display.
Parliament Hill
On July 1, Parliament Hill will become centre stage for our nation's birthday in all its pageantry. Those gathered on the Hill in the morning will be able to witness a parade through the heart of the Capital, which will feature Canadian military history and highlight the 400th anniversary of Québec City and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Canadian parliamentary democracy in Nova Scotia. Following the arrival of the parade will be the raising of the flag, the Changing the Guard, the RCMP
Musical Ride on Parliament Hill, and the fly-past of CF-18s and the Snowbirds. The Canada Day Noon Show and the Canada Day Evening Show presented on Parliament Hill will pay tribute to important milestones in the history of Canada and will feature artists from across the country, including JUNO Awards winners and nominees. This year, the following artists will perform on Parliament Hill on July 1: Blue Rodeo (Ontario), Damien Robitaille (Quebec), Danny Boudreau (New Brunswick), Diane Dufresne (Quebec), Dr. Draw (Quebec), DRUM! (Nova Scotia), Florent Vollant (Quebec), Gilles C. Sioui (Quebec), Imposs (Quebec), Joel Plaskett Emergency (Nova Scotia), Kevin Parent (Quebec), Nathalie Picard (Quebec), Oliver Jones Trio (Quebec), Pascale Picard Band (Quebec), Paul Brandt (Alberta), Ron Hynes (Newfoundland), Serena Ryder (Ontario), Shad (Ontario), Suzie McNeil (Ontario), Tiller's Folly (British Columbia), and Les Deux Rives choir (Ontario/Quebec).
The Canada Day Noon Show is being jointly presented by Canadian Heritage and the NCC and will be broadcast and webcast live on CBC Television, CBC Newsworld, RDI, and Radio-Canada Television. The Canada Day Evening Show is presented by the NCC, in collaboration with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and is sponsored by Chicken Farmers of Canada, VIA Rail Canada, President's Choice, and Rogers TV. There will be a live webcast and broadcast of the Canada Day Evening Show on Rogers TV.
Jacques-Cartier Park
Throughout the day, visitors to Gatineau's Jacques-Cartier Park will have the chance to learn more about the unique contribution of sport to Canadian identity and culture through interactive games, exhibits, workshops, and encounters with Paralympic athletes. There will also be cultural performances, including an evening show from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring Sylvain Cossette, Eagle & Hawk, Suzie McNeil, Jordan Croucher and Swing. This evening show is presented in collaboration with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Democracy 250.
Major's Hill Park
Major's Hill Park will host a variety of family activities highlighting Canadian folk and popular arts. During the day, visitors to the Park can learn more about Canada's 2008 Cultural Capitals, celebrate 400 years of collective history at the Aboriginal Village, or stop by the 16th Annual Great Canadian Chicken BBQ, presented by Canada Day's national sponsor, Chicken Farmers of Canada. The evening show, presented from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., will feature Hawksley Workman, Amanda Rheaume, Mauvais Sort, Stephanie Hardy, Garnet Rogers, Murray McLauchlan, and Hayley Sales. This evening show is presented in collaboration with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Democracy 250.
Partner sites include Confederation Park, which will host the Ottawa International Jazz Festival and the Capital Infocentre Plaza, where visitors will have an opportunity to discover the original van that was home to Terry Fox during his Marathon of Hope.
For more information on the Canada Day celebrations in Canada's Capital Region, members of the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1 800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or
1 866 661¬3530 (toll free TTY); visit the website at www.canadaday.gc.ca; or drop by the NCC's Capital Infocentre, located at 90 Wellington Street, in Ottawa. For information on access to Canada Day official sites for people with limited mobility, members of the public are invited to contact the NCC.
For more information on the Canada Day Noon Show, please visit the Department of Canadian Heritage website at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/canada
The National Capital Commission is proud to organize the Canada Day celebrations in Canada's Capital Region with the support of the following sponsors and partners: Canadian Heritage, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, National Defence, Canadian Forces, Public Works and Government Services Canada, la Ville de Gatineau, the City of Ottawa, Democracy 250, Chicken Farmers of Canada, VIA Rail Canada, Hbc, President's Choice, Rogers TV, Teletoon, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Toyota, Pizza Pizza, Rogers Wireless, The Westin Ottawa, and other sponsors.
Information:
Chantal Comeau
Media Relations Officer
National Capital Commission
613 239-5075 (office)
613 797-0279 (cellular)
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languag es and Minister for La Francophonie
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
