Carney praises Canadians' unity amid July 1 celebrations
Gatherings across the country mark 158th anniversary of Confederation
In his first Canada Day address as prime minister, Mark Carney emphasized unity in a "changing" world.
"One hundred and 58 years ago, a few provinces bet on the idea that they'd be stronger together than they ever could be apart. They were right, and so they became a new federation that's now grown into our strong, bilingual, multicultural and ambitious country," Carney said in his video address.
That unity includes writing the country's "next chapter" together "in true partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis."
Canada Day this year coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag and the 45th anniversary of the official adoption of O Canada as the national anthem.
This year's festivities at LeBreton Flats Park in Ottawa also got the royal treatment, with Prince Edward praising Canadian unity and accomplishments.
"Seeing this sea of red and white, there is only one sense that I have here," the Duke of Edinburgh said. "Today is truly a celebration of you, and your home and your land, strong and free."
Leaders gave speeches interlaced with musical performances, Indigenous cultural demonstrations and a double flypast of Snowbirds military jets. The federal Heritage Department counts 8,000 people were attending the events.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said the country is on a journey of reconciliation that began by listening to each other, honouring the past, and "holding space for the pain and resilience" of Indigenous Peoples.
"Kindness is the thread that weaves our communities together," she said.
Speaking at a Canada Day event in Ottawa, the prime minister took a moment to acknowledge some recent challenges.
"We find ourselves in a situation where our economy has been attacked by a trade war we didn't start ... in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms — attacks that we must resist."
In an interview with CBC's Catherine Cullen, Carney said "we'll see" if Canada and the U.S. can reach a trade deal by July 21, a previously agreed-upon deadline set by the two countries.
"We're doing what is necessary in order to get the best deal for Canadians. If we get the best deal for Canadians, we will agree to it. If we can't we won't — it's that simple," he told CBC.
Asked about a growing separatist movement in Alberta, Carney said he remembered tensions between Alberta and the federal government when he was growing up in the province.
"What happened is we came together, helped build the province … everyone coming together," he said. "Alberta's a great province and this is an even greater country. The same's going to happen again."
Carney noted in his address that Canadians have been uniting "in a more divided and dangerous world," pointing to his one-Canadian economy plan as a way to push back against instability.
"This is the greatest nation on Earth. Our destiny is to make it greater still — not by what we say, but by what we do. Happy Canada Day."
Find out how to follow the day's celebrations by clicking here.
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With files from The Canadian Press