US President Joe Biden has arrived in Canada, marking the beginning of a short but long-awaited official visit to Canada.

During his stay in the country's capital, Biden will meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, then deliver a speech to Parliament on Friday. However, he and the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, have other events on their itineraries, where key issues between Canada and the United States and shared priorities will be discussed.

With many levels of preparation underway – ranging from major security precautions and increased police presence, including the US Secret Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, regional and local officers, as well as military aircraft in the skies, to widespread road closures – Biden's short trip will be an important event in the cross-border relationship.

Meanwhile, US flags have been suspended throughout downtown.

For his part, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Wednesday: "It is a very busy schedule for a short trip. This is a meaningful visit. Canada is one of the closest allies and friends of the United States, and has been so for over 150 years. This will be the first real in-person meeting between the two leaders in Canada since 2009."

Here is what we confirmed with senior government officials, and what the official White House program details about what is on the agenda:

Thursday, March 23: Biden's arrival

Biden and the presidential delegation landing in Ottawa aboard Air Force One on Thursday evening.

Biden was welcomed by a delegation of officials:

Governor General Mary Simon

Canadian Ambassador to the United States Kristin Hillman

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland

Treasury Board President Mona Fortier

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly

Foreign Affairs Secretaries

Liberal parliamentary secretaries Rob Oliphant and Maninder Sidhu

US Ambassador to Canada David Cohen

Chief of Protocol in Canada Stewart Wheeler

At 6:45 PM, Biden met with the Governor General inside the Canadian Reception Center at Ottawa Airport. Simon's spouse Whit Fraser and the First Lady were part of this meeting.

Afterwards, Biden will be taken to Rideau Cottage to meet Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. Rideau Cottage is the current residence of the Prime Minister, located on the grounds of Rideau Hall, about seven kilometers northeast of Parliament Hill.

There, according to a senior Canadian government source, the couple will hold an "informal meeting."

Friday, March 24: Biden's big day:

Friday is the main day of Biden's visit, and will largely be spent in the Parliament building.

The welcome ceremony will begin at 11 AM inside the West Block, the temporary home of the House of Commons, where Biden will be greeted by a welcoming ceremony including the Clerks of the House of Commons, the Usher of the Black Rod, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and:

Senate President George Furey

Speaker of the House Anthony Rota

Government Representative in the Senate Marc Gold

Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Yuen Martin Meuser

Independent Senate members group Raymond Saint-Germain

Deputy Chair of the Canadian Senate Independent members group Dennis Glen Patterson

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre

Leader of the Quebec Bloc, Yves-François Blanchet

Leader of the New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May

At 11:20 AM, POTUS will hold a bilateral meeting with Trudeau in his office at West Block, followed by an expanded meeting with ministers, held in the room where Cabinet usually meets at 11:45 AM.

The rest of the program remains unclear.