For Brittany Heil, there’s no better place to be on Canada Day than on Parliament Hill.

Despite “squashed toes,” “no cover from the sun” and “overpriced street meat,” Heil said the energy of people downtown on Canada Day is like nothing else.

Although 2010 is not a survey year for the National Capital Commission, “the crowd seemed to be very dense,” said spokesman Guy Laflamme.

Many of these people, he said, came out to see the Queen.

“Whenever we benefit from a royal visit, it has an impact on attendance,” he said.

Even with the crush of people, revellers were very well behaved during Canada Day, he said.

“The degree of peaceful, respectful behaviour is typical of the values of … Canadians,” he said. “There’s a huge degree of respect and calm despite the crowds and the density of people on the hill.”