History of Canada Day in Barrhaven
Updated by Canada Day Barrhaven Inc.
This recount is not intended to be a precise historical record of events. There are limited formal records or references available to verify every detail. Rather, it is an anecdotal reflection—based on memory, imperfect as it may be—intended to illustrate the remarkable growth of Canada Day in Barrhaven alongside the community’s population expansion over the past three decades.
Early Years: Building a community
The Barrhaven Community Association (BCA) was formed in the late 1970s. Two highly dedicated members led the organization: Paul Horne, a local school teacher, served as President, while George Galbraith, a local businessman, was Vice President. Other key contributors included Jan Harder, Doug Collins, Tom O’Neil, and Gus Este.The BCA operated through voluntary household memberships of $10 per year. Its mandate was to serve as a liaison with the Township of Nepean—then under Reeve Andrew Haydon—which soon transitioned into the City of Nepean under Mayor Ben Franklin. The Association also played a vital role in developing youth programs, including sports, library services, and social events for the growing village of Barrhaven.
Early community events were modest, often held at Barrhaven Public School, the small Larkin House, or the Mowat Barn. As infrastructure developed—with the opening of the Walter Baker Centre and Barrhaven Mall—community engagement flourished. Social events, particularly dances organized by Vivien Voisey, regularly sold out and became a staple of community life.
The Beginnings of Canada Day Celebrations
Canada Day activities in Barrhaven began on a small scale, primarily with local fireworks displays. Early locations included open land near the Walter Baker Centre, the driving range at Greenbank and Jockvale, and later Foxfield Park, whose natural slopes created an ideal viewing amphitheatre.
Local resident Danny Ryan coordinated these early displays, while BCA members collected donations during events to fund them. As residential development expanded, safety concerns eventually made these locations unsuitable.
In 1980, George Galbraith helped establish a local Lions Club, which began hosting Canada Day celebrations in the Barrhaven Mall parking lot. These events featured a flag parade, the singing of the national anthem at noon, and free birthday cake for attendees. By the mid-1980s, Lions Club fundraising efforts contributed over $2,500 to support continued fireworks displays.
Fireworks locations shifted over time—from the Nepean Sportsplex to Clarke Field—but were periodically discontinued due to safety risks.
A Turning Point: The Modern Era Begins
The modern Canada Day in Barrhaven was largely shaped by Ottawa Councillor Jan Harder, whose leadership and vision transformed the event. She played a pivotal role in bringing together community groups, sponsors, and volunteers, while also contributing personal and constituency resources.Through her efforts, key partnerships were formed with organizations such as Mattamy Homes, local community associations, the Barrhaven BIA, Barrhaven Lions Club, and Branch 641 Barrhaven Legion. City approvals allowed for safer fireworks launches from designated areas, and attendance grew to exceed 10,000 people. Multicultural programming was introduced, helping secure funding support from Canadian Heritage.
Leadership Transition and Continued Growth
A significant milestone occurred when Councillor Harder stepped back from organizing responsibilities due to increasing demands in her municipal role. Leadership transitioned to community volunteers Darrell Bartraw and Victor Hanna, who took on the role of Co-Chairs.Under their leadership, the event expanded dramatically—evolving into a large-scale celebration comparable in spirit to Canada Day festivities on Parliament Hill. The organizing committee grew, responsibilities were distributed among volunteers, and sponsorship efforts intensified.
The event was formally incorporated as Canada Day Barrhaven Inc., establishing a structured organization with insurance and governance. With annual funding exceeding $100,000, the celebration expanded to include:
- Multiple stages (Main Stage, Kidz Zone Stage, Multi-Cultural Stage)
- A multi-day midway (introduced in 2013)
- A free Seniors Breakfast (launched in 2015, later expanded to a Family Breakfast)
- Large-scale programming attracting tens of thousands of attendees
Enhancements and New Traditions
The event continued to evolve with new features and traditions, including:- Installation of 13 provincial flagpoles in 2016
- Family-friendly programming with food vendors, entertainment, and cultural performances
- A smoke-free, alcohol-free event environment
- Shuttle services and secure bicycle parking
Challenges and Resilience
Like many events worldwide, Canada Day in Barrhaven faced unprecedented disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in cancellations in 2020 and 2021.In 2022, the community celebrated a long-awaited return alongside the event’s 40th anniversary. New features included:
- Interactive photo installations (including a giant Muskoka chair and Canadian flag displays)
- Expanded children’s programming
- Enhanced multicultural performances
- An Indigenous ceremony featuring a blessing, land acknowledgement, and cultural demonstration
- A new midway provider, Robertson Amusements, following the retirement of Homeniuk Rides
Recent Innovations and Ongoing Challenges
In 2024, the event expanded into a full weekend celebration, featuring:- A dedicated Multicultural Day
- A Country Music Festival
- A Classic Car Show
- A successful Absolute Comedy fundraiser generating $5,000
- A municipally licensed 50/50 lottery, capped at 4,000 tickets at $5 each—offering a potential $10,000 prize for both the winner and the organization
Looking Ahead
What began as a modest, volunteer-driven celebration has grown into one of the largest community Canada Day events in the region. Its continued success is a testament to the dedication of volunteers, the generosity of sponsors, and the strong sense of community that defines Barrhaven.From small fireworks displays to a multi-day festival attracting tens of thousands, Canada Day in Barrhaven stands as a powerful example of community spirit in action.