Last chance to wave goodbye to U.S. President Barack Obama in Ottawa - Action News
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Ottawa

Last chance to wave goodbye to U.S. President Barack Obama in Ottawa

If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama at the North American Leaders' Summit tomorrow in Ottawa, your best bet is late in the afternoon on Parliament Hill.

Public invited to hear speeches by Obama, Trudeau on front lawn of Parliament Hill

U.S. President Obama waves after making an unexpected stop in Ottawa's ByWard Market for a Beavertail during a previous visit to the capital on Feb. 19, 2009. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of outgoing U.S. President Barack Obamaat the North American Leaders' Summit tomorrow in Ottawa, your best bet is late in the afternoon on Parliament Hill.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeauwill host Obama and Mexican presidentEnrique Pea Nietofor the so-called Three Amigosmeeting here in the capital, and the jam-packed itinerary means road closures and travel restrictions, mostly downtown.

Obama is scheduled to arrive at the Ottawa airport at 10:15 a.m. However, the Ottawa Airport Authority says there will be no public viewing area, and it's reminding travellers about traffic reductionsand road closures in the vicinity of the airport at the time of Obama's arrival.

It's also recommending travellers get tothe airport two to three hours before flights scheduled to depart mid-morning and in the early evening.

Cash Cardinal and Nancy Ferguson hope to catch a glimpse of U.S. President Barack Obama during his visit to Ottawa tomorrow. (Waubgeshig Rice/CBC)
From there, Obama andPeaNieto will travel to the National Gallery of Canada, where Trudeau will greet them at about 10:45 a.m., according to a media release from the Office of the Prime Minister.

That's where the Three Amigos will get down to business. The program for the North American Leaders' Summit includes meetings, a plenary session, an official photoand a news conference.

Obama and Trudeau on the Hill

Following the media availability, the Mexican president will depart for the airport, and Obama and Trudeau will make their way to Parliament Hill, where an official welcoming for the American presidentis scheduled on the front steps of Centre Block at 4:15 p.m.

Unlike in 2008, however, Canadians won't be able to see Obama walking into Parliament and Obama won't be able to wave because the Canada Day stage is blocking the view between Centre Block and the Hill lawn.

Inside the rotunda, a parliamentary delegation will welcome Obama, and he'll sign theDistinguished Visitors Books of the Senate and of the House of Commons before heading into a bilateral meeting with Trudeau.

Artist Mowafak Nema hopes Obama tours the ByWard Market again, as he did during his 2009 visit. (Waubgeshig Rice/CBC)
After the meeting, Trudeau and Obamawill make their way into the House of Commons chamber, where both will speak.

The PMO is encouraging members of the public to attend that part of the program by watching on the large Canada Day screens set up on the front lawn.

Anyone wishing to see and hearthe speecheson the lawnis advised to arrive early, and to expect delays and to pass through security screening.

According to a press schedule issued byThe White House on Tuesday, Obamawill depart from the Ottawa International Airport at 7:35 p.m.

Le Moulin de Provence, the ByWard Market bakery made famous when Barack Obama stopped by on a previous visit to Ottawa to pick up some 'Canadian cookies' to take home to his daughters, has made a fresh batch to mark the June 2016 leaders' summit. (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)