Canada Day celebrations kick off across country

Canadians will gather across the country today to mark Canada Day, a celebration of this country’s 157th birthday.

Celebrations are scheduled from coast to coast to coast on the national holiday. People in Newfoundland and Labrador will mark Memorial Day on Monday as well.

In Ottawa, the capital will once more hold major Canada Day ceremonies focused on LeBreton Flats Park and Parliament Hill.

Ongoing construction work on Parliament Hill will once again push this year’s main stage to LeBreton Flats, about 1.5 kilometres to the west. The major rehabilitation of Centre Block has reduced the amount of space available for public events on the lawn in front of the Parliament Buildings.

The main daytime ceremony will take place from noon to 1:15 p.m. ET, featuring a variety of activities for families and musical performances by artists like Bedouin Soundclash and Marie-Mai.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge will represent the government at the ceremony.

The Royal Canadian Air Force will perform a ceremonial flypast at about 1 p.m., featuring dozens of aircraft. The RCAF this year is celebrating 100 years since its founding.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon are in Newfoundland and Labrador to participate in several ceremonies, including the entombment of Newfoundland’s Unknown Soldier, who died over 100 years ago in France during the First World War.

CBC is marking Canada Day with two CBC News specials, a radio special paying tribute to a Canadian musical icon and an evening show to unite music lovers across the country.

You can find out how to follow the day’s celebrations here.