Canada Day 2009

• Canada Day - Parliament Hill
• Canada Day - National Capital Region
• Celebrations Across the Country
• Did you know?
• Photo Gallery

Canada Day is an opportunity to gather in our communities, from coast to coast to coast, and to proudly celebrate all we have in common. It is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, which were born in the audacious vision and shared values of our ancestors, and which are voiced in nearly all of the languages of the world through the contribution of new Canadians.

Canada Day is a time to celebrate the heritage passed down to us through the works of our authors, poets, artists and performers. It is a time to rejoice in the discoveries of our scientific researchers, in the success of our entrepreneurs, and to commemorate our history - a history in which each new chapter reveals itself to be more touching, more fascinating than the last.

As we look ahead, we have every reason to face the future with confidence and enthusiasm.

Canada Day - Parliament Hill

Canada Day is celebrated in grand style in the nation's capital. Every year, tens of thousands of people flock to Parliament Hill to take part in the noon show with the Prime Minister, the Governor General and the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

This year, as we celebrate the 142nd anniversary of Confederation, we will also celebrate Canada's hosting of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Let's Celebrate Canada!

As in previous years, the finalists of the National Canada Day Poster Challenge will also be present.

Canadian artists from across the country will participate in this year's noon show. There will be performances by recording artist Sarah McLachlan, singer Marie-Mai, the group The Respectables accompanied by singer Gordie Johnson, singer/songwriter/ composer Marie-Jo Thério, the electrifying percussionists Drum!, contemporary, hip hop and jazz dancer Nico Archambault, rising Canadian country star Shane Yellowbird, traditional hoop dancer Alex Wells, indi pop group Said The Whale with Hannah Georgas, Cirque Fantastic Concept, Gregory Charles with his choir as well as Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Be thrilled by Canada's Snowbirds, CF-18s and the Golden Centennaire Tutor, cheer on the performers, and discover Canadian symbols and military traditions!

The Canada Day noon show will be broadcast live across the country on CBC/Radio-Canada, CBC Newsworld and le Réseau de l'information (RDI). You can access the Webcast between 12:00 and 1:30 (EST) on July 1 on the Canadian Heritage site as well as the National Capital Commission site, CBC.ca and Radio-Canada.ca.

Canada Day - National Capital Region:

Events continue throughout the day in the National Capital Region, including an evening show on the Hill, and ending with the traditional fireworks display. For more information on the events organized by the National Capital Commission, please click on the icon below.

Celebrations across the country:

Contact the Canadian Heritage Regional Office in your province or territory for information on the eleven days of Celebrate Canada activities taking place where you live.

Did you know?

That the July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.

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