The annual Fourth of July gathering at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Canada, a staple social event in Ottawa, took on a different tone this year. The event, typically vibrant with revelry, saw a much smaller crowd due to recently strained relations between the two nations, particularly affected by former President Trump's comments questioning Canada's sovereignty.
I attended the celebration at Lornado, the ambassador's historic residence, late Friday afternoon. Despite my status as an accredited journalist, I opted only for a couple of glasses of water while observing the proceedings. Feedback from attendees indicated that the turnout was approximately half of what it has been in previous years. Food and seating arrangements were also noticeably diminished, reflecting the current sentiments surrounding U.S.-Canada relations.
In light of a recent trend among Canadians to boycott American goods and travel, the atmosphere at the U.S. Independence Day event felt rather subdued. Although still substantial, the number of attendees highlighted the complex mix of patriotism and discomfort in celebrating the United States within Canada’s capital in these challenging times.
I attended the celebration at Lornado, the ambassador's historic residence, late Friday afternoon. Despite my status as an accredited journalist, I opted only for a couple of glasses of water while observing the proceedings. Feedback from attendees indicated that the turnout was approximately half of what it has been in previous years. Food and seating arrangements were also noticeably diminished, reflecting the current sentiments surrounding U.S.-Canada relations.
In light of a recent trend among Canadians to boycott American goods and travel, the atmosphere at the U.S. Independence Day event felt rather subdued. Although still substantial, the number of attendees highlighted the complex mix of patriotism and discomfort in celebrating the United States within Canada’s capital in these challenging times.
