Canada Day sends STARS flying – STARS’ biggest day of the year
ALBERTA | SASKATCHEWAN | MANITOBA — June 24, 2026 – As Canadians get ready to mark Canada Day on Wednesday, July 1, STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) is urging people to make safety part of the celebration. Over a decade of STARS data show July 1 consistently stands out as one of the busiest days of the year for its crews and Emergency Link Centre.
“Safe celebrations save lives, it’s that simple,” says Josh Nash, Provincial Operations Director, STARS. “Canada Day places heavy demand on our crews and our Emergency Link Centre, but the public can help reduce that pressure by planning ahead and making safe choices.”
Even on a Wednesday
A Wednesday Canada Day may look less risky than a long weekend, but STARS’ history shows it still presents a real safety challenge.
The most extreme years come when July 1 falls on a Friday or Saturday, when consecutive days off intensify recreation, extend travel farther from home, and drive demand on STARS. But the lesson from those peak years still matters this year in 2026. Even without a traditional long-weekend surge, Canada Day changes how people spend their day, and STARS’ data shows that demand still rises.
“Whether it’s a long weekend, or a Wednesday afternoon, Canadians still travel, gather, celebrate, head to cabins, lakes and highways, and spend time in places where emergency care may be farther away,” says Nash. “This shows up in our data every single time. As always, our crews will be ready if a patient needs us.”
Celebrate safely this Canada Day
STARS encourages all Canadians heading into the holiday to keep these practices in mind:
- Plan your route and let someone know your itinerary before heading to rural or remote areas
- Wear helmets and protective gear for motorcycles, ATVs, and cycling
- Never drive or operate equipment under the influence of alcohol or cannabis
- Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) near or on the water, every time, regardless of swimming ability
- Stay hydrated and take breaks in the heat
- Know the signs of a stroke or cardiac emergency and don’t delay calling 911
- In an emergency, call 911 first
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For more information contact:
Kate Langille, STARS | mediainfo@stars.ca | 1−866−966−8277
ABOUT STARS
STARS is a charity, born from the conviction that no one should go without the care that could save their life. Operating 24/7 from bases in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg, STARS is many patients’ best hope in a worst-case scenario. Thanks to support from generous community partners, we provide critical care — physically or virtually — in whatever capacity we can help. Because when it comes to the next patient who needs us, it’s never too far. Learn more or donate at STARS.CA
Behind the numbers:
Analyzing request volumes on Canada Day from 2013 to 2025 against every other day in the calendar, July 1st averaged the 85th percentile, meaning it was busier than 85 per cent of all other days in a given year. In 10 of those 13 years, Canada Day ranked in the top 25 per cent of the busiest days of the year. In seven of those years, it broke into the top 10 per cent.
