Canada celebrates its 150th birthday

A young boy dressed in a Royal Canadian Military Police (RCMP) uniform attends the Canada Day celebrations as the country marks its 150th anniversary since confederation, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa July 1, 2017. REUTERS

The yellow duck, which cost C$200,000 ($154,000) including the rent, according to the Globe and Mail, drew criticism from some who described it as a waste of taxpayer money.

Security was already ramped up in the days ahead of the celebration and partygoers contended with road closures and concrete barriers across entrances into Parliament Hill, located in downtown Ottawa.

Heavy downpours prompted Ottawa firefighters to pump water off the grounds on Parliament Hill and the Ottawa Fire Service urged citizens to follow safety instructions.

National and local police were also out in force, with security top of mind for many Canadians in the wake of fatal attacks in London, Paris and Germany.

Saturday marked the 150th anniversary of the day Canada officially became a country. Britain had ruled it before 1867.

"Canada 150 years ago was a project, it was an idea to bring together four colonies with very different historical backgrounds," said Pierre Anctil, history professor at the University of Ottawa.

"We should celebrate but we should not be complacent. It's not a finished project," he added.

"As a society, we must acknowledge and apologize for past wrongs, and chart a path forward for the next 150 years," Trudeau said in a statement ahead of the official kickoff.

REUTERS