Canada Day

people walking in a parade on a sunny day with flags

Canada Day Parade – Presented by Cogeco – Your TVCogeco Logo

Saturday, July 1, 2023

The 2023 Canada Day Parade will start at noon on July 1 in front of City Hall at 500 George St. N. and travel south down George Street to Morrow Park at 171 Lansdowne St. W. Enjoy pre-parade activities starting at 10 a.m. at City Hall.

Celebrate Canada’s birthday, the day when the Dominion of Canada was established as a federal state and a parliamentary democracy on July 1, 1867. It’s a day to celebrate our country – its diversity, its culture, and its achievements.

On Canada Day, we also reflect on our country’s relationships with Indigenous nations and Indigenous peoples. We are all treaty people. In Peterborough, we respectfully acknowledge that we are on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg.

Did you know?

July 1 was made a statutory holiday in 1879 as the “anniversary of Confederation”, which was later called “Dominion Day”. Dominion Day officially became Canada Day on October 27, 1982.

This year's parade theme will be Happy Birthday Canada!

We are seeking Parade Float Entries

2023 Parade Theme: Happy Birthday Canada!
Cogeco will broadcast the parade on YourTV. 

Community groups and businesses can take part in the Peterborough Canada Day Parade on Saturday, July 1 with parade entry forms now available online. 

Complete the Float Entry Form online

The deadline for entry forms and certificates of insurance will be Friday, June 9, 2023. 

Criteria for entering a float in the Peterborough Canada Day Parade:  

  • All parade entries must be adequately decorated to celebrate Canada Day with year’s theme “Happy Birthday Canada”. 
  • All floats must align with the City’s by-laws and policies. 
  • All floats must foster a sense of community and a family friendly environment. 
  • All equestrian and live animal entrants must provide their own easily identifiable clean-up crew. 
  • Any participant considered to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be removed from the Parade.  Participants in the Parade shall not be consuming or giving the impression of consuming alcoholic beverages. 
  • All participants shall refrain from smoking/vaping during their participation in the parade. 
  • Please do not throw candy/items from moving vehicles; items may be distributed from street level by walkers. 
  • Participants must ride on the inside of their float. Do not ride on the edge of the float trailer with feet dangling over the sides.  
  • Children should be securely seated and supervised at all times. 
  • Entries that do not meet Parade Rules or differ from its approved entry form may be refused entry. 

Entries promoting the following will not be approved: 

  • Espouses hatred, violence, racism, or offensive messages. 
  • Reflects an organization or group with activities that are contrary to the by-laws and policies of the City. 
  • Only pre-approved entries will be permitted in the 2023 Canada Day Parade. 
  • All Entries will be notified by June 15, 2023, of their Participation Status. 
Mandatory Safety Meeting on Saturday June 17

All entries must send a representative to the mandatory Safety Meeting on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.

The Canada Day Parade welcomes both community groups and commercial floats. Commercial floats will be charged a fee of $125 which can be paid online.

The Canada Day Parade starts at noon on Saturday, July 1 at City Hall and travels south on George Street. Participants in the parade are expected to arrive in their assigned staging areas ahead of the parade by 11 a.m.

The organizing committee would love to see the community proudly wear red and white and be part of the Peterborough Canada Day Parade.
Certificate of Insurance Requirements
 In order to comply with Temporary Road Closure Permit offered by the City, we require your organization to provide proof of insurance for your entry.

For non-motorized entries please contact your insurance broker to request a certificate of insurance evidencing the following:

  1. Verification of $2,000,000 in commercial general liability.
  2. Include the Corporation of the City of Peterborough as additional insured and afford 30 days' notice of cancellation to 500 George St. North, Peterborough ON, K9H 3R9.
  3. Under description of operations, please specify "Participation in the Canada Day Parade July 1, 2023".

For motorized vehicle entries please submit:

  1. Copy of your automobile insurance policy evidencing a minimum of $1,000,000 third party liability. A copy of your insurance pink slip will not be accepted. A certificate of insurance is also acceptable.

Note: Any trailer used in connection with the automobile is insured for liability under the automobile policy, however, please check with your automobile insurer should you be pulling a non-owned trailer and confirm coverage.

If you are already insured, there should be no additional cost to obtain this information.

The Certificate of Insurance can be uploaded now or submitted at a later date by email to estewart@peterborough.ca.  It is required by June 9, 2023.

Service Disruptions for Canada Day

Temporary Road Closures for the event will occur along the route approved by the City on July 1, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as follows:

  • Dublin Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street
  • London Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street
  • McDonnel Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street
  • Murray Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street
  • George Street – from the south side of Parkhill Road West to the north side of Brock Street

George Street from Brock Street to McGill Street is being treated as a rolling road closure.

For more details contact Canada Day Co-Chair:

Ellen Stewart, Canada Day Parade Co-Chair

705-742-7777 ext. 1805