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.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will host Obama and Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto for the so-called Three Amigos meeting here in the capital, and the jam-packed itinerary means road closures and travel restrictions, mostly downtown.

• North American Leaders' Summit will close downtown Ottawa streets to vehicles
• Enjoy the calm before the 3 Amigos summit traffic storm

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 reductions and road closures in the vicinity of the airport at the time of Obama's arrival.

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

From there, Obama and Peña Nieto 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 photo and 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 president is 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 the Distinguished Visitors Books of the Senate and of the House of Commons before heading into a bilateral meeting with Trudeau.

After the meeting, Trudeau and Obama will 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 hear the speeches on the lawn is advised to arrive early, and to expect delays and to pass through security screening.

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