9 GATEWAY
Celebrating Canada in Ottawa, Get up, stand up, Haliburton, Vancouver’s Trump Hotel & Tower and On our radar
IF YOU HAVEN’T been to Parliament Hill since your eighth-grade civics trip, you’re in for an adventure this year as the annual Canada Day party gets amplified for the country’s sesquicentennial, which, by July 1, you should be able to say five times fast. Here’s a local’s wisdom on navigating the big bash.
To go to the Hill or not to go to
the Hill? If you’re venturing to the heart of the party, take transit and be prepared to wait as crammed OC Transpo articulated buses pass you by. Your ride will eventually come; to pass the time you can play Six Degrees of Tony Clement, which will last about 45 seconds because if you work in certain sectors — media, arts or politics, say — Ottawa can feel like a small town where everyone goes to the same parties. Except on Canada Day, that is. This time it’s a party with 500,000 of your sweaty besties — and their dogs. But if that’s not your cup of Timmie’s, you can always attend the smaller community celebrations in the ’burbs (check ottawa2017.ca/ civic-events for more information). They have petting zoos, bearable porta-potties and that distinct fear-of-missing-out feeling one gets when the biggest party in town is so close, yet so far away.
The view from Nepean Point Ah, Nepean Point. It’s known for its panoramic view of Parliament Hill and as a capital make-out spot. Head to the point, located behind the National Gallery, to get an amazing view of the fireworks reflecting off the Ottawa River. Or, head south of the Hill to Confederation Park to catch a few wisps and high-flying sparks. If you have a friend who lives in one of the many high-rises in Centretown, you may enjoy a balcony or rooftop view, or you can simply linger along Wellington or Rideau streets and crane your neck. This is the day where the sidewalks don’t roll up at 5 p.m. and everyone has shed the pallor and malaise of long winters. The geeky, the tenured and the truant come together to beam with civic pride. In a place known as a hub of public policy and the nexus of four layers of government ( three, plus the National Capital Commission), this is saying something.
Street food for the faint of heart (and stomach) One Beavertail per lifetime is plenty, in my humble opinion. However, I can think of about 900,000 people who might disagree with me. There is a reason that they serve these on the Rideau Canal every winter. This flattened doughnut will give you much needed blubber and energy, and you can pick one up on Canada Day. It will hold you through hours of heartland rock on the Hill (“Hellloooooo Ottawaaaaaaaaah!”) and allow you to excel at the galumphing splayed arms and knees movement that seems to dominate on this particular day. Some people refer to this as “dancing.”
Be prepared You can whinge about the weather and feel like a true local. That’s because it can go from burning hot to massive rain downpours on Canada Day. Bring those touristy pocket raincoats or a backpack with gear — and don’t forget to be ready for sun. Many have removed a temporary tattoo only to reveal a maple-leaf outlined sunburn which, while patriotic, is still painful. Perhaps this is what author, columnist and professional crank Andrew Cohen was referring to when he called Canada Day a time of “crushing banality, a renunciation of the past ... and a misreading of history, laden with political correctness and historical ignorance.” Sheesh. I think he could use a Beavertail.
Go with it The tacky Canadiana is out in full force on Canada Day because it’s a long weekend and it’s summer and everyone is feeling those warm vibes and forgetting that we’re the country that produced Nickelback. And that’s on a good year. This being the big birthday — lordy, lordy, look who’s 150 — expect even more sightings of Maple Leaf boxer shorts worn as outerwear, or people busting out into group singalongs of “Bye Bye Mon Cowboy.” I mean, it could be worse. Imagine a stage production of The Full Mountie or a tribute piece called 50 Shades of Herb Gray. In comparison, that makes the big party seem not too shabby. So go with it: head to the Hill, rock out and get down for the Dominion!