Canadians celebrate Canada Day across country, with the Queen on Parliament Hill

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OTTAWA, Ont. – An estimated 70,000 people were waving flags and cheering as they welcomed the Queen and Prince Philip to Parliament Hill to celebrated Canada Day in brilliant sunshine.

The royal couple arrived in a horse-drawn landau, complete with a mounted RCMP escort. The Queen was wearing a red suit with a maple leaf brooch, and a white hat with a big red flower.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was on hand to welcome them.

The 84-year-old monarch has not been on Parliament Hill for Canada Day since 1997.

With her personal Canadian flag flying from the Peace Tower, the Queen was honoured with a 21-gun salute, an air force fly-past and a march-past by the Guard of Honour.

The Queen delivered a brief address to the Canada Day celebrants.

“During my lifetime, I have been a witness to this country for more than half its history since Confederation,” the Queen said.

“I have watched with enormous admiration how Canada has grown and matured while remaining true to its history, its distinctive character and its values.”

A loud cheer went up as she concluded her remarks saying, “God bless you all and God bless Canada.” Police estimated about 70,000 people were in the crowd.

The Queen was serenaded by Canadian artists, including Quebec pop star Isabelle Boulay, bagpipers The Campbell Brothers, The Barenaked Ladies and the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir.

Earlier Thursday, hundreds of people clad in red and white gathered at Citadel Hill, the historic fort in Halifax, to celebrate Canada Day.

The sidewalks below were packed earlier as a parade by the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo wound through downtown Halifax.

Among the crowd was Clarence Hewitt, who said the celebrations were a nice way to top off a week of festivities in Halifax, which included the Queen’s visit and an international naval fleet review.

Justine Scilipoti, a student at Dalhousie University originally from Ontario, was celebrating her first Canada Day in Halifax. She said it’s important to celebrate the fact that Canadians live “in the best country in the world.”

Plans for the Canada Day ceremony in Halifax include a flypast by aircraft from the 12 Wing Shearwater airbase, a 21-gun salute and a foot and arms drill by the 78th Highlanders.

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The following is the text of the Queen’s address at the Canada Day celebration Thursday on Parliament Hill. She spoke in English and French:

Prime Minister, Minister, distinguished guests, fellow Canadians,

Aujourd’hui, partout au pays, des Canadiens se reunissent pour celebrer l’histoire du Canada, son identite et ses realisations. A mon avis, il n’y a pas meilleure raison de celebrer. Thank you for inviting Prince Philip and me to join you all on this special day.

During my lifetime, I have been a witness to this country for more than half its history since Confederation. I have watched with enormous admiration how Canada has grown and matured while remaining true to its history, its distinctive character and its values.

This nation has dedicated itself to being a caring home for its own, a sanctuary for others and an example to the world. Nous venons tout juste de voir des images des Forces canadiennes, des diplomates, et des travailleurs humanitaires a l’œuvre dans le monde entier, apportant leur soutien et leur aide a autrui. These commitments, often in dangerous and hostile circumstances, are undertaken with the support and respect of us all.

At home, Canadians have many reasons for optimism, even in trying times.

The recent success of the Vancouver Olympics was about more than just the thrill of a gold medal for Canada’s hockey team. As well as renewing a sense of common purpose within this country, the Olympics showed to others something of the extraordinary warmth and enthusiasm of the people as Canada welcomed participants and audiences from around the globe. A de nombreux egards, le Canada s’affirme fierement sur la scene internationale, affrontant l’avenir avec confiance.

I wish you all the very happiest Canada Day. God bless you all and God bless Canada.

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