China News Agency, Toronto, July 2 (Reporter Yu Ruidong) Canada celebrated its 155th National Day on July 1.
The main venue for this year's National Day celebrations in the capital, Ottawa, is not on Parliament Hill, as it has been for the past half-century, but near the Canadian War Museum west of the city center.
This is partly because of the ongoing renovations on Capitol Hill, and more importantly because the Canadian government has to deal with thousands of demonstrators who oppose public health measures against the epidemic.
This is also the first time Ottawa's official National Day celebrations have resumed offline since the outbreak of the new crown.
The event attracted a large number of people to the scene to participate.
At the same time, the local police deployed defenses in the surrounding areas of Parliament Hill in advance and took the initiative to take law enforcement actions to avoid the recurrence of the situation in which a large number of demonstrators occupied Parliament Hill and the surrounding downtown area of Ottawa in January and February this year.
At that time, truck drivers and other groups opposed to various public epidemic prevention measures formed a so-called "freedom convoy" to enter Ottawa and launched large-scale continuous demonstrations and "occupation".
The Canadian government had to use the Emergency Act for the first time to declare a public order emergency in mid-February in order to end the demonstrations and occupation activities.
The demonstrators are supporters of the "Freedom Motorcade".
Since June 30, police have issued more than 280 parking tickets to demonstrators' vehicles in downtown Ottawa and towed nearly 80 cars.
The police also arrested four people, including those believed to be the main organizers of the demonstration, for assaulting police and other reasons.
In a statement, Governor-General Mary Simon, of Aboriginal heritage, said Aboriginal people were still grieving the loss of culture, language and life.
Canadian society must work together to advance reconciliation and healing with Indigenous peoples.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family attended the celebrations in Ottawa.
Trudeau said Canada is strong because of diversity.
In British Columbia, on Canada's west coast, Premier Horgan said more needs to be done to break down barriers and end systemic discrimination.
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