Thousands of Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada's 140th birthday, in a bash featuring music, a flypast by the Snowbirds, the RCMP Musical Ride and fireworks.

Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who said in a video greeting that Canadians have much to celebrate.

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean, accompanied by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, greets people in the crowd on Parliament Hill.
(CBC)

"From championships in hockey to humanitarian and military leadership roles in Afghanistan and Haiti, we can say again this year, Canada is a citizen of the world and we make our contribution a positive one," he said.

Harper said Canada's North is what defines Canada more than just about anything else and that Arctic regions symbolize a great untapped promise.

"I believe that whether our ancestors came from the East, the West, or the South, as Canadians we always look to the North for the true definition of our country."

He mentioned his visit over the past year to meet with people in Alert on Ellesmere Island, including members of the Canadian Forces.

"As I looked at the vast gleaming expanse of the Arctic I could not help but think it is as limitless as the potential of Canada itself," he said.

Thousands attended the largest party in the country in Ottawa.
(CBC)

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean swore in 49 new Canadians at a citizenship ceremony before she arrived for the celebrations in Ottawa, which included a 21-gun salute at noon.

Another citizenship ceremony was held at the Ontario legislature in Toronto, which was followed by a 21-gun salute and live music outside.

In Winnipeg, officials closed parts of Osborne Street, known as The Village, for a big community celebration. There were also parties scheduled at The Forks and Assiniboine Park.

Both B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and the Governor General made Canada Day statements asking Canadians to remember the sacrifices made by the country's troops serving in places as far away as Afghanistan.

Jean said Canadians cannot take their freedom for granted and "it is our responsibility to spread this freedom all around us and around the world."

Campbell marked the day by welcoming 80 new Canadians, who took their citizenship oath at Vancouver's Convention Place.

In St. John's, Premier Danny Williams reflected on the anniversary of the First World War Battle of Beaumont Hamel.

During a wreath-laying ceremony, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador announced plans to unveil plaques next July 1 commemorating the hundreds of Newfoundland men killed.

"We must always appreciate that they paid for our freedom with their lives," Williams said in a statement. "In a small and symbolic way, we will finally bring these soldiers home."

In Halifax, hundreds gathered under sunny skies at the historic Citadel site to eat birthday cake and watch a foot-and-arms drill by the 78th Highlanders.

At Kandahar airfield, Canadian soldiers enjoyed maple doughnuts and coffee. Some took part in activities including volleyball, tug of war and a scavenger hunt.

Many of the soldiers also began the countdown for their homecoming. In a month, their 185-day deployment will end and they'll be replaced by members of the Royal 22nd Regiment, Quebec's legendary Van Doos.

Survey looks at flag ownership

An Ipsos Reid survey commissioned by the Dominion Institute to mark Canada Day found that a small majority of Canadians express their patriotism by displaying their country's flag.

The survey found 57 per cent maintain that someone in their household owns a Canadian flag. Of those who do have a flag, 51 per cent said they fly it in their yard or display it in a window.

Among older Canadians, aged 55 and up, 63 per cent said someone in their household owns a Canadian flag. In comparison, 50 per cent of younger Canadians, aged 18 to 34, said someone in their household owns a flag.

The survey was conducted from June 14 to 17. A randomly selected sample of 3,164 adults was interviewed online.

The results are considered accurate to within plus or minus 2.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

With files from the Canadian Press