Thank you, Chair and members of the committee.
My name is Russell Mills. I am the chair of the board of the National Capital Commission. I am very pleased to be here today with Marie Lemay, our chief executive officer; and Guy Laflamme, who is the vice-president of capital experience.
We'd like to start our presentation today by showing you a brief two-minute clip of how the NCC handles celebrations of Canada. This one in particular had a cumulative audience of 15 million people right across the country.
[Video Presentation]
That was from last year's Canada Day celebrations. It was a great occasion.
We're happy to meet with you this morning to talk about the capital of our country and the important role we believe it can and should play in the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
I'd like to begin my presentation by sharing two quotes with you that were received during a national exchange we recently conducted with Canadians.
The National Capital has the duty to be the mirror on our country.... In a few steps, in a few glances, one has to find the country as a whole in the Capital.
This is the second quote:
The Capital should, through its natural setting, monuments and architecture, communicate to Canadians and to the world our values, our achievements and our pride as citizens.
The first comment is from explorer Bernard Voyer, and the second is from businessman Thomas d'Aquino. They are among 30 comments from eminent Canadians published in the magazine Canadian Geographic.
At the NCC we have a diverse and exciting mandate to build a great capital for all Canadians that reflects our history, identity, culture, and values. To achieve this the NCC works closely with all levels of government, departments, and agencies, as well as private sector partners. We coordinate programs, public activities, and events related to the national capital region.
Before I turn things over to Marie I'd like to tell you about some historical celebrations in the capital, because the capital has always played a key role in celebrating the anniversary of Confederation.
To go back in history, celebrations to mark Confederation occurred in Major's Hill Park on July 1, 1867. There were all-night festivities, fireworks, and a 101-gun salute.
In 1917, the 50th anniversary was marked by a dedication of the Centre Block to the fathers of Confederation and the soldiers who had fought in the Great War.
In 1967, Canada's centennial was launched on Parliament Hill, in the presence of the Prime Minister and the Governor General, with the lighting of the centennial flame, a parade, and fireworks. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the July 1 festivities on Parliament Hill that year.
The first sound and light show was created as a centennial project. And as you have heard in other presentations to this committee, some national institutions, such as the National Library and the National Arts Centre, were created or relocated in the capital as part of the centennial program.
In 1992 the NCC led the 125th anniversary of Confederation celebrations in the capital region. We coordinated efforts with national museums and institutions to create 125 days of programming to celebrate Canada in the capital. Canada House celebrated Canadian inventiveness and featured Canadian achievements in science, sports, and culture. The aptly named Confederation Park offered daily concerts. The Great Canadian Youth Happening featured Céline Dion.
Canada Day festivities were extended from June 27 to July 1. Among the activities was a performance by the National Arts Centre orchestra, in 1867-period costumes, on the lawns of the Canadian Museum of Civilization and along the Ottawa River. On July 1, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth participated in celebrations on Parliament Hill, along with many dignitaries and leading Canadian artists.
More recently, in 2007, the NCC, through different activities and celebrations, told the story of how, 150 years ago, Queen Victoria chose Ottawa to be Canada's capital.
Now I'll turn it over to Marie Lemay.