Severe weather on Canada Day led to the cancellation of evening celebrations in Ottawa, including the highly anticipated fireworks display.Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and flooding affected the National Capital Region, creating hazardous conditions across the city.

Canadian Heritage confirmed that the National Canada Day Evening Show was cancelled in the interest of public safety due to the extreme weather and unsafe conditions at the event site.

By late afternoon, Environment Canada had recorded nearly 99 millimetres of rain at Ottawa International Airport, with additional storms forecast for later in the evening.

Earlier in the day, multiple Canada Day venues, including LeBreton Flats Park, Parliament Hill, Old Hull, and the Supreme Court area, had already suspended activities as conditions deteriorated.

Electronic signage at major gathering points advised attendees to seek shelter as heavy rain and strong winds moved through the area, prompting crowds to disperse quickly.The adverse weather also forced the cancellation of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds’ planned flyover and final Canada Day performance.The aerobatic team confirmed it would not be able to perform due to unsafe flying conditions.Beyond event cancellations, the storm caused significant infrastructure disruptions.Flooding led to multiple road closures across Ottawa, including major arteries and highway ramps.Authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to hazardous driving conditions.Power outages were also widespread, with tens of thousands of Hydro Ottawa and Hydro One customers affected as crews worked to restore service.OC Transpo reported detours on several routes, though light rail service remained largely unaffected.

Officials emphasized public safety as the primary concern while cleanup and restoration efforts began across the city following the intense weather event.