National Canada Day celebrations
On July 1, you can enjoy activities in the local communities as well as the shows and activities taking place at LeBreton Flats Park in the heart of Ottawa-Gatineau. The Government of Canada has a full list of programing for Canada Day celebrations between 9 am and 10:30 pm at LeBreton Flats Park and activities elsewhere in Ottawa-Gatineau.
Many roads in the downtown core will be closed to regular traffic, so getting around downtown on Canada Day will be challenging. Plan your route ahead of time and expect delays. Public transit is your best option.
For the most current road conditions, visit the City’s interactive traffic map and select both the ‘Events’ and ‘Incidents’ fields.
During Canada Day celebrations a number of fly-pasts are planned and no cause for concern. For information on these fly-pasts follow Royal Canadian Air Force’s social channels and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds on Twitter.
No-Charge transit service on Canada Day
OC Transpo is the best way to travel to Canada Day events across the city, with free service all day on O-Train Line 1, buses and Para Transpo. OC Transpo will have extra service running throughout the day and into the evening. Para Transpo service will run until 3 am, with last trips booked for 2 am.
With the main event taking place at LeBreton Flats again this year, OC Transpo wants to make sure you know how to get to and from the event site with ease. OC Transpo’s Travel Planner is the best way to plan your trip!
Leave early and arrive on time at LeBreton Flats
- July 1 is a busy day for transit, so allow plenty of time.
- For easy site entry and to enjoy the Government of Canada’s full festival programming, take O-Train Line 1 or a bus to Lyon Station and walk to the event site entrance via Wellington Street. Please note that some detours will be in effect downtown due to road closures. Check octranspo.com for the latest detour information.
- For Para Transpo and patrons with accessibility needs:
- Customers travelling to LeBreton Flats on Canada Day will be dropped off at the designated Para Transpo drop off point, adjacent to the Group Entry for the War Museum on Vimy Place.
- Customers with accessibility needs can use Pimisi Station until 8 pm to access the LeBreton Flats event site via Booth Street. They will be directed to an accessible entry point. Visit canada.ca/canada-day for information regarding accessibility measures at the event site.
After the LeBreton Flats fireworks
- Customers travelling eastbound can take O-Train Line 1 train service at Pimisi Station. Convenient connections are available at Hurdman, St-Laurent, Rideau and Blair stations to many bus routes.
- To manage the large number of customers using transit, queue lines for eastbound rail service will be in place along Booth Street and marked with special signage.
- Customers travelling westbound, including those destined to Tunney’s Pasture Station, will be directed to bus service on Routes 57, 61, 62, 63, 74 or 75 on Albert Street at Booth Street. To reduce crowding at Pimisi Station, O-Train Line 1 trains will bypass Pimisi Station when travelling westbound after the fireworks.
- Westbound bus customers and pedestrians will use the west side of Booth Street to access Albert Street. OC Transpo staff will be available to help direct customers.
- Customers also have the option to walk to Lyon or Parliament stations and take the train east or west.
- At Lyon Station, entrances will be designated by direction of travel on the train. Customers should follow the signage onsite.
- At Parliament Station, passengers can access both elevator and main station entry via the south sidewalk along Queen Street. Customers should follow the signage onsite.
- For Para Transpo and patrons with accessibility needs:
- Customers travelling from Lebreton Flats will be picked up where they were dropped off at the designated Para Transpo pick up/drop off point, adjacent to the Group Entry for the War Museum on Vimy Place.
- There will be a designated accessible queue line with an entry point at Wellington and Booth Street.
For more information or to plan your trip, visit octranspo.com. You can also connect with OC Transpo through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Fireworks regulations and safety
The City reminds residents about the by-law regulations around Canada Day fireworks – including no discharging on public properties, age requirements and maintaining safe operating distances.
Over the past few years, the City has received public complaints and emergency calls about fireworks, including discharging fireworks in parks and debris left behind, firework-related grass fires and displays posing danger to residents and property.
So, before the fuse is lit, here are some things to know in advance:
- Purchasing fireworks
- The sale of consumer fireworks is prohibited in Ottawa, except on Canada Day and the seven business days leading up to it.
- Firecrackers prohibited in Ottawa and Ontario
- Under the provincial law and the City’s fireworks by-law, the sale and use of firecrackers are strictly prohibited.
- Location and age requirement for discharging fireworks
- Fireworks displays must be directly supervised by an adult, 18 years and older, and must take place on private property – with permission from the property owner. Even on private properties, fireworks cannot be discharged if it poses danger to other individuals and properties. This will include any property nearby other homes, apartments, roadways, sidewalks and public spaces.
- No discharging fireworks on City parks and sports fields
- Discharging fireworks is not allowed on City property – which includes all parks, sports fields and beaches.
- School properties and sports fields are out of bounds too
- The four local school boards – Ottawa Catholic School Board, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est and Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario – do not allow discharging fireworks on all school premises, including all track and sports field areas.
Full details on the City of Ottawa’s Fireworks By-law is available on ottawa.ca. Residents can report issues with fireworks online through ServiceOttawa at ottawa.ca.
The Canada Day Fireworks are presented near LeBreton Flats Park beginning at 10 pm. You can see them from many locations in Canada’s Capital Region. For a spectacular view, go to LeBreton Flats Park or head to the surrounding streets, which are closed to car traffic.
City by-laws for a safe and respectful Canada Day
The City of Ottawa is ensuring Canada Day remains safe and respectful for all residents and visitors. This will include enforcement of all by-laws regarding noise, litter, fireworks, and on-street parking and stopping.
- Ticketing and towing
- The City of Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) will have Officers out on the streets ensuring all parking regulations are observed by residents and visitors. All vehicles found failing to observe the no-stopping zones will be ticketed and towed. Parking time limits and no parking zones outside the centre core will also be strictly enforced.
- Ensuring all other by-laws observed
- In addition to parking violations, BLRS Officers will ensure all City of Ottawa by-laws are obeyed by residents and visitors:
- No unnecessary motor-vehicle or other noise, including speakers or shouting
- No unnecessary motor-vehicle idling
- No encumbering a sidewalk or roadway by any means, including setting up tents or other illegal structures
- No public urination and defecation
- No open air fires
- No littering
- Discharging of fireworks – contravening any regulations under Fireworks By-Law.
Tickets will be issued to any individual in violation of any City of Ottawa by-law. Fines for many of these municipal by-law violations have been recently raised to $1,000.
More Canada Day information
The City’s Canada Day webpage has information on community happenings, pools and splash pads to enjoy, Indigenous events and reflections, fireworks guidelines, changes to City services and how to stay safe as you enjoy your Canada Day activities.
The City has been working closely with Canadian Heritage, the Ottawa Police Service and other area law enforcement agencies, to ensure a fun and safe Canada Day for all.
For information on schedule changes and impacts to City services for the Canada Day holiday visit ottawa.ca.
