June 22, 1999
(Executive Council)

Canada Day celebrations to be held on Confederation Hill

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Walter Noel announced today that Confederation Hill will be the site for Canada Day celebrations in St. John's this year. He made the announcement with Celebrate Canada Committee Chairperson Ches Keats and St. John's Canada Day Committee Chairperson Shawn Skinner.

"The Confederation Building Complex seemed to me to be an ideal location for citizens to gather to celebrate our federation, spend some time in their buildings and legislature, and think about the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship and our system of government," Minister Noel said.

"Representatives of all three levels of government are working together, and sharing the cost, to help make this Canada Day as significant and enjoyable as possible, especially since it is also our 50th anniversary as a Canadian province."

Mr. Keats said: "Canadian Heritage has funded the Celebrate Canada Committee for Newfoundland and Labrador to prepare a first-class day of family entertainment. Canada Day is a great day for families to get out and enjoy the show. We encourage them to attend the swearing-in of new Canadians in the morning, a special ceremony over which the Lieutenant-Governor will preside."

Mr. Skinner said: "We've traditionally held our city celebrations at Bowring Park, but this year we're trying a new site at Confederation Hill. It's an ideal place for a family concert. Special thanks to our corporate sponsors, Sobeys and Metrobus, for making these celebrations possible. We're asking the public to bring a non-perishable food item to support our local food banks."

Prince Philip Drive will be closed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Parking for the public will be available behind Confederation Building by using the Allandale Road access.

Media contact:

Ron Fitzpatrick
Communications
(709) 729-2077

Tina Fagan
Celebrate Canada Committee
(709) 738-7325

Bernadette Walsh
Tourism St. John's
(709) 576-8537

Teddy Ryan
Canadian Heritage
(709) 772-3076

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS, CONFEDERATION HILL
July 1, 1999

Subject to change:

8 a.m.              Prince Philip Drive closes between Portugal Cove Road and Allandale Road.

10 a.m.          Mr. Twister

10:30 a.m.     Sonya Abbot Puppet Show

11:15 a.m.     Ontario Massed Legion Pipes & Drums Band performs near main entrance to Confederation Building

11:30 a.m.     Citizenship Court and Official Ceremony in Main Lobby, East Block. Lieutenant-Governor in attendance.

12:30 p.m.     Cake Cutting, Reading Tent opens, Face Painting begins

1 p.m.             Multicultural Children's Choir
                      Tour of the House of Assembly

1:20 p.m.        Jack Five-Oh!

2 p.m.              Tour of the House of Assembly

2:10 p.m.        Chemnaya Mission Dancers

2:30 p.m.        Celtic Fiddlers

2:50 p.m.        Terry Rielly

3 p.m.              Tour of the House of Assembly

3:30 p.m.        Keen Agers

4 p.m.             Vic Spencer - "Sounds from Trinidad"
                      Tour of the House of Assembly

4:30 p.m.        St. Pat's Dancers

4:50 p.m.        Francophone Association of St. John's Choir

8 p.m.              Parkway reopens

1999 06 22         4:20 p.m.