National Canada Day celebrations begin with flag raising on Parliament Hill

Published: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 | 2:42 PM ET
CBC News

Canadian Press: Terry Pedwell, THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA - This year's Canada Day festivities are pillared by both celebration and reconciliation, say the prime minister and Governor General.

As a crowd estimated at 75,000 basked under intense sunlight beneath the Peace Tower, Stephen Harper spoke Tuesday of the apology he made last month to aboriginals who suffered abuse decades ago at residential schools, calling it "an important evolution in Canada's relationship with our first peoples."

The June 11 apology was long overdue, but very much needed, Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean later told the nationally-broadcast event.

"On that day, all of us together - Inuit, Metis, First Nations and non-aboriginals - joined hands in committing to bridge the gaps entrenched by years of injustice," she said.

"The time had come. The time had come."

Harper also told the gathering they have much to celebrate in 2008, including the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City and the 250th anniversary of the establishment of representative government in Nova Scotia.

"And the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown colony of British Columbia," Harper added. "Ensuring our country would stretch from sea to sea."

The national celebrations of Canada's 141st birthday began with a historic military parade through the streets of Ottawa, followed by a formal flag-raising ceremony on Parliament Hill.

Early revellers were also treated to a stirring military drill and the music of the Changing of the Guard ceremony, followed by a performance by the RCMP Musical Ride.

'O Canada' was sung by a choir of Grade 10 students from schools spanning the Ontario-Quebec border, followed by a number of performances by a diverse group of entertainers, from Blue Rodeo, to country singer Paul Brandt, to the beating sound of the rhythmic group Drum.

The traditional highlight of the national celebrations was to be a blazing fireworks display planned for after sunset.