U.S. flag flies at Ottawa City Hall to mark Independence Day
The American flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark Independence Day, as tensions continue between Canada and the U.S. amid a trade war and U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Canada become the 51st state.
A ceremony was held at Marion Dewar Plaza Friday morning to raise the U.S. flag. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra was joined by Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada President Rick Tachuk for the flag-raising ceremony.
'The City of Ottawa will fly the American flag on Marion Dewar Plaza at City Hall on July 4,' Daniel Francoeur, protocol advisor with the City of Ottawa, said in an email to CTV News Ottawa on Thursday.
'This is consistent with the City's flag protocol procedures and reflects Canada's formal diplomatic relations with the United States.'
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said flying the American flag at Ottawa City Hall follows the city's flag protocol, and is a chance to focus on the long friendship between the two countries.
'July 4 is an opportunity to highlight the shared history and deep, lasting friendship between the people of our two countries,' Sutcliffe said.
'Now, more than ever, we should focus on building relationships and working together.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman said on X, 'A class act during challenging times. Thank you, Ottawa.'
According to the City of Ottawa's website, all Embassies are invited to provide the City of Ottawa's Office of Protocol with their national flag to be flown outside City Hall on their respective national day. Flags will be flown from sunrise to sunset.
Trade tensions between Canada and the United States have chilled relations between the two countries this year. In February, fans were heard booing the Star-Spangled Banner at Canadian Tire Centre ahead of a Senators game.
Ambassador Hoekstra told CTV Morning Live Friday morning, 'it's a great relationship' between the United States and Canada.
'Seventy per cent of your exports go to America. A considerable portion of our exports go to Canada,' Hoekstra said. 'We had an event last night at our residence where we had representatives from 150 different businesses. We're talking about all these things, from a business-to-business stand point, we are so much stronger and effective when we work together.'
Hoekstra said, in his role as ambassador, it's his job to 'take a great relationship and make it just a little bit better' between the two countries.
More than 190 flags will fly at Ottawa City Hall this year to mark Independence Day or a national day. Rwanda's flag will also be raised at Ottawa City Hall on Friday to mark Liberation Day.
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