As a rare solar eclipse approaches eastern Canada on April 8, cities in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick are preparing for a surge of visitors who plan to witness the event firsthand. The eclipse will begin in Ontario just before 2 p.m. EDT and will move towards Newfoundland by 5 p.m. EDT. Hot spots such as Niagara Falls, Kingston, Montreal, and Fredericton are expected to experience the maximum coverage of the sun, with some locations seeing up to three and a half minutes of darkness as the moon passes between the sun and Earth. Police services are preparing for potential traffic congestion due to the influx of sightseers.
Fort Erie, Ontario, will have the best sightline for the path of totality, with darkness lasting close to four minutes. Hamilton will be on the north edge of the path and will experience totality for about two minutes. Hamilton has designated several viewing sites, including large parks and conservation areas, with large crowds expected to gather. Niagara Falls, Ontario, will also offer a picturesque view of the eclipse, with the iconic waterfalls in the background. The last time Niagara Falls saw a solar eclipse was in 1925, and the next one is not expected until 2144.
Kingston, Ontario, is expected to see between 70,000 and 500,000 visitors for the eclipse, depending on the forecast. Residents have been asked to avoid driving on the day of the event, and road closures will be in effect to ensure access to the hospital remains open. Montreal, Quebec, will be on the north edge of the path of totality, with total darkness lasting about a minute and a half. Up to 80,000 people are expected to gather at Espace pour la Vie and Parc Jean-Drapeau to watch the eclipse. Other Quebec municipalities, such as Sherbrooke, Lac-Mégantic, and Cap-aux-Meules, will also experience the total solar eclipse.
In Fredericton, New Brunswick, the eclipse will begin with a partial phase at 3:23 p.m. local time, with totality arriving at 4:33 p.m. for just over two minutes. Other areas in New Brunswick, such as Woodstock, Florenceville-Bristol, and Miramichi, will also experience 100% totality, with the sun’s light covered by the moon for just over three minutes. Overall, the eclipse is expected to draw large crowds to various locations across the eastern provinces, making it an event to remember for years to come.
