Hot weather could force delay, cancellation of Parliament Hill Canada Day performances

Canadian Heritage is keeping an eye on the heat warning for Canada Day and has several contingencies should the heat hit unhealthy levels.

According to Dominique Tessier, a spokesperson for Canadian Heritage , should the heat become a health issue, it will consider shortening performances or postponing them to a later time. Cancellation, though, is also a possibility should the weather persist.

“The potential risks associated with extreme temperature are part of our overall planning for the event, and there are measures in place to mitigate against these potential risks to ensure the public’s safety and a successful event,” said Natalie Huneault, another spokesperson for Canadian Heritage. “The weather conditions and public health notices will be monitored throughout the event to implement these plans.”

According to Canadian Heritage, during Canada Day, the public will have access to water stations on all three official sites. On Parliament Hill, water stations will be available before and after the security screening to allow visitors to remain hydrated. There will also be areas in the downtown core that offer shade and Canadian Heritage staff say they will be continuously coordinating with emergency services.

The department is encouraging visitors to prepare accordingly to prevent heat stroke and other injuries by staying hydrated, wearing light color clothing, using sunscreen and wearing hats. It is also encouraging visitors to bring water or a refillable water container.

With files from Beatrice Britneff