Hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights to brighten Canada’s Capital Region
Magical evening will officially kick off the holiday season
The National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with Manulife Financial, is pleased to invite members of the public and of the media to the launch of the 27th edition of the Christmas Lights Across Canada program. The official illumination ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 6 pm on Parliament Hill.
Russell Mills, Chair of the NCC, Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, and Donald Guloien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Financial, will be joined by special guests as they officially switch on the thousands of light bulbs that will illuminate Parliament Hill as well as many institutions, monuments, and other prominent landmarks located along Confederation Boulevard, in the heart of Canada’s Capital Region.
An important national component of the Christmas Lights Across Canada program: many provincial and territorial capitals are also holding their own lighting ceremonies.
“The NCC is proud to work in collaboration with all the provinces and territories to bring their holiday messages to Canadians,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “This link of lights is a symbol of peace, respect, and hope.”
Tonight’s launch is also the opportunity for the NCC to welcome Manulife Financial as the new exclusive sponsor for Christmas Lights Across Canada.
“Manulife is proud to be the exclusive sponsor of Christmas Lights Across Canada," said Donald Guloien, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have been serving Canadians' financial needs for well over a century - 125 years as of 2012 - and we are pleased to join with them in celebrating the holiday season.”
The official illumination ceremony will get underway at 6 pm and will be hosted by two inspirational young Canadians from the Capital Region, Mélanie Turbide and Muhammad Zaman.
Adding to the festive mood of the evening, the celebration will include performances by Montreal soul songstress Nadja as well as the Cross Town Youth Chorus.
Sign language interpreters will provide a simultaneous interpretation translation in American Sign Language (ASL) and Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) of the Official Illumination Ceremony held in Canada’s Capital Region. An induction loop system for persons with hearing impairment will also be available on-site. The ceremony will also be broadcast live on Rogers TV, Cable 22 in Ottawa.
Those in attendance are invited to indulge in some favourite winter treats: BeaverTails® pastries and hot chocolate (free, while supplies last).
The National Capital Commission has been presenting the Christmas Lights Across Canada program since 1985. This year, over 300,000 multicoloured lights will illuminate the Capital Region every evening from 4:30 pm to 2 am, until January 7, 2012.
Manulife Financial is the exclusive sponsor for Christmas Lights Across Canada.
For more information on the Christmas Lights Across Canada program, members of the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 or visit the NCC's website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/celebrate/christmas-lights. 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
