Christmas Lights Across Canada
Hundreds of thousands of holiday lights to sparkle from coast to coast to coast.
Canada’s Capital Region — The National Capital Commission (NCC) presents its annual Christmas Lights Across Canada program, sponsored by Manulife Financial. In early December, festive lighting ceremonies are scheduled to take place in provincial and territorial capitals across Canada — as well as on Parliament Hill — and hundreds of thousands of lights will sparkle across the country.
Here’s what Canadians can look forward to in their regions:
In Canada’s Capital Region, thousands will gather on Parliament Hill on December 1, 2011 at 6 pm for an evening of free festivities. Russell Mills, Chair of the NCC and Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, will be joined by special guests and dignitaries to officially switch on the lights around 6:35 pm. Residents and visitors are invited to join the celebration and indulge in some favourite winter treats — free BeaverTails® pastries and hot chocolate. The event will be broadcast live on Rogers TV, Cable 22. More than 300,000 lights will illuminate Parliament Hill and many prominent landmarks located along Confederation Boulevard, Canada’s discovery route circling the heart of the Capital Region. The light displays will brighten the Capital every evening, from 4:30 pm to 2 am, until January 7, 2012.
Media Contact: Denise LeBlanc (613) 239-5750
In Iqaluit, Nunavut, a celebration will take place on December 1, 2011 at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. Illumination of 3,000 lights is scheduled for 5 pm in the presence of the Honourable Speaker Hunter Tootoo. Festivities include face painting and music.
Media Contact: Cindy Rennie (867) 975-5156
In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, celebrations will take place on December 1, 2011, at 5:10 pm. The Honourable Speaker Jackie Jacobson will be present at the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories to witness the illumination of 12,000 lights at 5:35 pm. Entertainment will be provided by the Sir John High School Concert Band and the Fireweed Children’s Chorus.
Media Contact: Jessica Fournier (867) 669-2230
In Whitehorse, Yukon, 10,000 lights will adorn the Yukon’s Main Administration Building where a Celebration of Music will take place from December 2 to December 9, 2011. Performances by more than a dozen school choirs and bands will take place as part of the celebrations.
Media Contact: Geri Dugas (867) 456-6507
In Victoria, British Columbia, festivities will be held on the front steps of the Provincial Parliament Buildings on December 1, 2011, beginning at 4:30 pm. The Honourable Bill Barisoff, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia and Carole James, MLA for Victoria–Beacon Hill, will be on hand when 5,000 lights are turned on. The James Bay Community School Choir, the St. Andrew’s Secondary School Choir and the Reynolds Secondary School Band will perform.
Media Contact: Karen Aitken (250) 514-4800
In Edmonton, Alberta, a lighting ceremony will take place on December 1, 2011 the Alberta Legislature Building. More than 125,000 LED lights will be illuminated at 4:45 pm in the presence of the Honourable Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta.
Media Contact: Jessica Roth (780) 422-0618
In Regina, Saskatchewan, a ceremony will be held on December 1, 2011. The event starts with the official illumination ceremony in the rotunda of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building at approximately 6:50 pm. Free entertainment and activities are planned for the whole family to enjoy. The Dickens Yuletide Singers and St. Peter Elementary School choir will fill the building with the sound of holiday music. Everyone can “Sing-A-Long” with children’s entertainer Kerri Senkow. Activities include face painting, a snowman craft to take home, and Santa has promised to stop by for a visit. At the end of the evening follow him out to his sleigh and visit with his reindeer.
Media Contact: Lorraine deMontigny (306) 787-5357
In Winnipeg, Manitoba, a special ceremony will be held at 5 pm on December 2, 2011 at the Legislative Building when more than 3,200 lights will be turned on. The lighting ceremony takes place just prior to the Legislative Open House, which happens on December 10, 2011.
Media Contact: Karla Willis (204) 945-3716
In Toronto, Ontario, a lighting ceremony will take place at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on December 5, 2011, at 6:30 pm. The Honourable Dave Levac, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, will participate in a festive gathering where 4,700 interior and 3,500 exterior lights will be turned on at 7 pm. The Northumberland Secondary School Choir will perform.
Media Contact: Roula Dimakarakos (416) 325-7513
In Québec City, Québec, in order to keep a tradition launched in 2007, an enormous Christmas tree, this year saluting the north of Québec and decorated with 6,000 lights, will sparkle in Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale from December 8. Through the lighting program initiated by the Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec, more than 20 landmark buildings throughout the city, including the Château Frontenac, the Legislative Assembly, the Price Building and the church Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, are lit up every night to the pleasure of the visitors who will take part in year-end celebrations or in the Québec Winter Carnival.
Media Contact: Denis Angers (418) 528-0773
In Fredericton, New Brunswick, festivities will begin at 7 pm on the front lawn of the Legislative Assembly Building on December 2, 2011. The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, the Honourable David Alward, Premier of New Brunswick, and Victor Boudreau, Leader of the Official Opposition will be present as 7,500 lights are turned on. Entertainment will be provided by the Park Street School Senior Choir and the Stepping Stone Singers Choir.
Media Contact: Diane Mercier-Allain (506) 453-2527
In Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, a celebration will be held at 6:15 pm on November 25, 2011, at Province House National Historic Site of Canada. Between 5,000 to 8,000 lights will be turned on at 7 pm. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Confederation Center Children’s Choir, Kim Hendriken and Father Christmas.
Media Contact: Allan Kerwin (902) 894-4246
In Halifax, Nova Scotia, a celebration will be held at 6 pm on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at the City Hall Building in the Grand Parade. Mayor Peter Kelly and Members of Halifax Regional Council will be present when 10,000 lights will be turned on at 7 pm. Entertainment includes the Good On Ya Band, a live children's show, a visit by Santa, and fireworks.
Media Contact: Mike Gillett (902) 490-4740
In St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, a ceremony will take place at 6:15 pm on December 8, 2011 at the East Block of the Confederation Building. In the presence of the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, approximately 60,000 LED lights will be illuminated at 6:45 pm. The festivities will include performances by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band and the Paradise Elementary Grade 3 Choir.
Media Contact: Jason Card (709) 729-3015
For more information on Christmas Lights Across Canada, contact the National Capital Commission at 1-800-465-1867 or 613-239-5000, or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca. TTY (text telephone for the hearing impaired) is available at: 613-239-5090 or toll-free 1-866-661-3530.
Media Information:
Denise LeBlanc
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5750 (office)
613-851-9465 (cellular)
denise.leblanc@ncc-ccn.ca
Charles Cardinal
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5227 (office)
613-851-6924 (cellular)
charles.cardinal@ncc-ccn.ca
