Canada Day 2022: Flags, celebrants and marchers back in downtown Ottawa

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The “freedom” protesters who had earlier intermingled with families, tourists, and others downtown celebrating Canada Day, massed by the hundreds Friday afternoon to march their myriad grievances through the core of the city that some of them occupied months earlier.

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“The patriots are back, baby” one leader of the march declared.

Amid Canadian flags, air horns, bellows of “Freedom” and “Liberté,” the procession that started on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill and stretched several blocks in length made its way through Centretown.

As march leaders decried Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, called for the release of jailed “Freedom Convoy” protest leaders Pat King and Tamara Lich and declared that they were “holding the line,” some onlookers lining the streets greeted them with cheers, with others shook their heads, flipped them off or stared bemusedly.

It was in stark contrast to the quiet celebration of families visiting Parliament Hill, which remained open to the public despite the bulk of the official celebrations happening elsewhere.

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It was a momentous day for Ruby Kennedy, who had travelled from Edmonton to Ottawa, where her daughter and grandson live. They hadn’t been together since before the pandemic hit in 2020. Five-year-old Jerry loves the Peace Tower and Parliament buildings, his grandmother said.

“Oh my god … This is special for me,” Kennedy said. “I’m 70 years old, he’s my youngest grandson, youngest grandchild, and just being able to share Canada Day with him in Ottawa is very special.”

For Marcia McNeil, coming downtown was a return to her family’s July 1 tradition after the two-year pandemic break in festivities.

It’s not the same as before, McNeil said, when the party used to be largely on Parliament Hill, rather than to the west on the LeBreton Flats and Zibi sites. Still, the Arnprior resident was enjoying herself. Her hope for the day?

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“I hope I see a great firework,” she said, laughing.

The first “clash” between authorities and “freedom” protesters occurred mid-afternoon when city bylaw officials tried to ticket protesters who had set up a table on Wellington Street to sell freedom merchandise.

The group of “freedom convoy” supporters, still numbering only several dozen by about noon, grew louder as the day progressed. They clashed with photographers who were trying to take their photos, chanted “freedom” and someone drew “wake up Canada” in chalk on the street.

“I’m here for freedom of choice,” said a man wearing a “free Pat King” shirt.

“The jab is poison,” said a man who identified himself as Z who said he didn’t bring his cellphone to the area because he was worried about being tracked.

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“They’re watching me,” he said.

At one point, a group of women wearing shirts that used an expletive to refer to the prime minister set up a table to hand out buttons that said Justin Trudeau was wanted for treason.

Bylaw officers arrived and spoke with the women, weighing whether they should issue a ticket and order the table dismantled. The interaction drew a crowd and dozens of protesters surrounded the officers. The women said the table was for a religious ceremony and the crowd removed their hats and prayed.

When the bylaw enforcement officers left without issuing a ticket, the crowd cheered and chanted “freedom.”

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A few minutes later, the cheers turned to boos as police arrived and the table was dismantled.

City officials had warned earlier in the week that “hateful” messages of any kind would be dealt with harshly at the activities.

The SkyHawks, the Canadian Forces parachute demonstration team, performed above the Hill. They dropped into the area, twirling and spinning with Canadian flag parachutes. As they landed, the “freedom convoy” supporters sang along to the hit Twisted Sister song “We’re not going to take it,” which was playing on repeat on their boomboxes.

In the afternoon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivered messages to the growing crowd on LeBreton Flats.

“Canada is strong because of our diversity, “ said Trudeau. “No matter what our faith is, where we were born, what colour our skin is, what language we speak, or who we love, we are all equal members of this great country.

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“Today, we celebrate the place we all call home,” he added. “I know for some, our country’s historic wrongs can make that difficult. But while we can’t change history, we can put in the work to build a better future; one that reflects our values of hope, resilience, kindness, respect, and generosity.”

Simon similarly urged Canadians to work towards a more inclusive society.

“As we celebrate Canada Day, I want to encourage people … to continue building an inclusive society, one where we can be who we are, without judgment, where everyone belongs,” she said.

Otherwise, Canadian flags were back in fashion on Wellington Street Friday, but unlike during the winter protests, this time there were few shouts of “freedom,” and little honking.

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Officers from multiple police agencies stood by and tow trucks were parked on side streets near downtown Friday morning.

The crowd grew throughout the morning, with most people appearing to be excited to celebrate the first major in-person Canada Day celebration since the start of the pandemic.

Parliamentary Protective Services officers checked bags and used handheld metal detectors to screen people who wanted to enter Parliament Hill. Weapons, alcohol, tents and barbecues were among the items banned on the Hill. Signs and banners were permitted, but only if they were made of cardboard or cloth.

Canadian flags were also welcome, but not flagpoles, officials cautioned on social media.

The presence of several dozen “Freedom Convoy” supporters who along Wellington Street did not dominate the crowd. They carried flags that used a familiar expletive slogan towards Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and anti-vaccine posters. The non-protesting revellers treated them as a curiosity, taking photos and videos of the small group.

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On Wellington Street, Andrew Larche wore an elaborate robe that he sewed out of Canadian flags.

“I just love Canada,” he said.

He attended Canada Day over the past two years, but he wore a mask and kept his distance.

“It’s Canada, we get through things,” he said. “I’m really happy to be back.”

A man and a woman draped in Canada flags head-to-toe laughed at the list of items banned on the Hill.

“This is not Canada,” said the woman. “This is a disgrace.”

At LeBreton Flats, meanwhile, the new home of Canada Day celebrations was all just partying and celebrating, without any apparent indication of anyone’s thoughts about vaccines or mandates.

By mid-afternoon, the diversity that Canada frequently boasts was on display to great effect at LeBreton Flats Friday, as people of all race, culture and religion came together to celebrate the one thing that unites us: we are Canadian.

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How Canadian a celebration was it? One couple politely asked security if they were allowed to bring beer in

Musicians and politicians alike took to the main stage there, while people watched, listened, and noshed on hotdogs and lemonade. Information booths were set up in case, for example, visitors though this would be a good time to look into a GoodLife Fitness membership, or were wondering what the Grain Farmers of Ontario were up to.

As he has been in past years, Dominic Tremblay was a big hit, especially with children. This was the eighth year, apart from the two years when the ceremonies were driven indoors, that the Quebec city resident dressed up as ‘Captain Canada’ to spread birthday wishes.

“I do this just because I was in the military for 17 years, and I’m very proud of my country. I’ve travelled a lot to meet people all across Canada and overseas. Coming here just to have the birthday for Canada is very nice. And, you know, all the differences we have in Canada make our country stronger.”

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To the last point, Tremblay said he planned to visit other sites where freedom themed protesters were too also spread cheer among them.

“I’m not political,” he said. “I’m going there to meet everybody Canadian today. They’re here for one reason today, because it’s the place to be.“

Meanwhile, the Police on Guard Family Day Picnic scheduled for Strathcona Park Friday was cancelled, according to organizers.

Police on Guard for Thee, which was hosting the event, made the announcement on Twitter, citing an incident at the National War Memorial on Thursday night in which a police officer was reportedly choked and four people arrested.

“Unfortunately there was a violent incident at the War Memorial this evening after James Topp and his crew left,” it tweeted. “We cannot put the kids in potential danger. So we are erring on the side of caution.”

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Comprised of active and retired police officers, Police on Guard for Thee opposes many of the COVID-19-related mandates.

Despite the cancellation of the Strathcona Park picnic, about 30 or 40 people had gathered there by late Friday morning.

One of them, Karen Hiltz, said that this weekend marked the 23rd consecutive weekend that she’s been participating in freedom rallies.

She was one of about 20 members of Niagara who came to Ottawa for the Canada Day protests.

“We are a group of freedom-loving people that have come together with the same sort of views about wanting their freedom in Canada,” she said, “and not having the mandates or lockdowns and the forced or coerced vaccinations.

“We’re not anti-vaccine, by any means, we’re anti-THIS-vaccine, the mRNA vaccine.”

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She added that she felt Canadian should not be put in a situation where they have to choose between vaccination or their job.

“A lot of people have lost their jobs because they’ve had to choose, and we don’t feel people should be coerced into it.”

Another attendee at Strathcona, who only identified herself as Stephanie, an Ottawa resident, said she was the one negotiating with the City to use the park, on behalf of Police on Guard. She said that the city on Wednesday added time constraints that made getting a permit impossible.

“They made getting a permit unreasonable and unattainable,” she said, “like having to show proof of insurance 10 days before the event. And there was another requirement that they said we had to get to them three days ahead of time.

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“We all know Ottawa is a special place, and there would’ve been back influences, no doubt. I’m sure there was pressure put on at all levels of government.”

Thursday evening’s incident followed the arrival at the memorial of Topp, the Canadian soldier who marched to Ottawa from Vancouver to Ottawa.

An opponent of vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 measures, Topp was charged by the military in February with two counts of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline for comments made while wearing his uniform.

At the memorial on Thursday, the army reservist delivered a speech to about 1,200 people. “

“I have met thousands of people in my journey from Vancouver to Ottawa,” he said, “and a lot of them have lost hope. They feel lost. They’re angry. They’ve lost faith in the system. We’ve already started something.”

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“Heed the call,” he added. “Assemble. Organize yourselves. Plan. What’s the answer? Non-violence. Peace.”

Earlier in the day, Conservative leadership hopeful Pierre Poilievre joined Topp in the last leg of his March to Freedom.

Meanwhile, Ottawa bylaw officers have continued to target cars in the “exclusion zone”, with 275 tickets issued and 79 vehicles towed in the last 24 hours.

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In an effort to avoid a repeat of the “Freedom Convoy” that overtook much of Ottawa’s downtown core last January and February, Ottawa police have called in RCMP backup while the city has a “vehicle exclusion zone” in effect around Parliament Hill. Mayor Jim Watson urged people to head downtown to celebrate Canada Day in person and not be intimidated or bullied by those who may try to disrupt the party.

Most of Friday’s official ceremonies are taking place at LeBreton Flats, in front of the Canadian War Museum.

-With files from Matthew Lapierre, Bruce Deachman and Taylor Blewett.