On the evening of June 21st, the Ottawa Summer Dragon Boat Festival had a grand opening at the Rideau Canal, one of the most prominent world cultural heritage sites. More than 300 people attended the opening ceremony, including Zhao Haisheng, Minister-Counselor of Cultural Affairs; Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa; John Fraser, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario; Craig Stewart, Chair of the festival; Florence Tsang, representative of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto); Luo Zhongyi, President of the International Ice Dragon Boat Federation and representatives of dragon boat teams.

At the opening ceremony, Minister-Counselor Zhao Haisheng delivered a speech and congratulated on the opening of the Dragon Boat Festival. He said that the dragon boat culture, originated from China more than 2,000 years ago, has become a globally popular recreational and sports activity. Chinese Embassy in Canada is delighted to see the Ottawa Summer Dragon Boat Festival become a cultural and festival activity of the largest scale in the summer of North America and would like to join hands with the Organizing Committee of Ottawa Summer Dragon Boat Festival to promote the further development of dragon boating in Canada. Mayor Jim Watson gave a passionate speech and declared June 21st to 24th as "Ottawa Dragon Boat Days". Minister-Counselor Zhao Haisheng and representative Florence Tsang dotted the eyes of the dragon boat together.

As the 25th Ottawa Summer Dragon Boat Festival, this year's festival has attracted nearly 200 teams from across the world.