Paving the way for Canada Day celebrations
The Maple Leaf waving from every home and hand. Canadians honouring our history and achievements. A time for reflecting on the past and how we can shape a better future.
It's Canada Day!
Many Canada Day traditions are supported by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). Did you know we help prepare the site for the main Canada Day celebration in Ottawa? We also play a key role in preserving the integrity of the Canadian flag, the most visible symbol of our national pride.
Preparing the celebration site
Canada Day celebrations take place from coast to coast to coast, with the headline event in the national capital. Getting Canada's capital ready requires significant effort and planning.
Every year, in collaboration with Canadian Heritage, Carmen Barcena and a team of logistical and ceremonial experts from PSPC perform some of the essential work in preparation for the celebration at the main event site.
This can include overseeing the construction of the stage for the Canada Day performances. The team may also be asked to put in place plywood walkways, flags, media risers, ropes and stanchions, folding chairs and hundreds of feet of red carpet.
In addition, Barcena’s team ensures that protocol around the use and placement of flags is followed. Typically, there are 2 giant Canadian flags installed on the exterior walls of 80 Wellington Street. The Ceremonial Route in downtown Ottawa and downtown Gatineau is also lined with provincial, territorial and Canadian flags, displayed in order of entry into Confederation.
Barcena has seen many Canada Days in her career, but it never gets old. “You get to watch some performances and interact with dignitaries and the public. It's a very special day.”
Setting the standards for the flag
The Maple Leaf is a staple at many events, but there is more to the flag than meets the eye.
Canadian flags used by the Government of Canada must meet specific standards set by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB), which is part of PSPC.
There are standards related to the fabric, stitching and grommets used in the production of the flags. Other standards apply to the dyes, owing to early issues with the colours fading and blending. Flags are even performance-tested in a wind tunnel at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.
There are now, in fact, 3 National Standards of Canada for the national flag, depending on whether it's used indoors, outdoors or at a one-off event (such as the flags distributed on Canada Day). New editions of these national standards were published in February 2023 as part of the Canadian General Standards Board Catalogue. Through its standardization services, the CGSB ensures the high quality of many products and services used by Canadians, while supporting our economic, health, safety and environmental interests.
Canada Day isn’t the only time the flag is in the spotlight. It is raised regularly on several Parliament Hill buildings, and that's another PSPC role. Watch the changing the flag on the Peace Tower video to see what's involved in ensuring that a new flag flies over Parliament Hill every day.
To learn more about the department's programs, visit Public Services and Procurement Canada. To read interesting articles about PSPC people and projects, see Our stories.