TORONTO – “I would like nothing more than to celebrate Canada Day as we usually do, with friends and family and enjoying our neighbourhoods together, but we just can’t this year, out of caution and an overriding concern for public health. I look forward to celebrating with Toronto residents virtually on July 1, but even more, I look forward to the day when we can safely resume our celebrations in-person,” states Toronto Mayor John Tory.
For Canada Day in Toronto in 2020 however it will be a virtual celebration.
Toronto, based on the recommendations of the Medical Officer of Health, to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, the City of Toronto will join other municipalities across Canada in celebrating a national virtual Canada Day on July 1, 2020. The City is cancelling all in-person Canada Day events.
The City delivers and partners with a number of community-based Canada Day events. These City-led and City-permitted events are now cancelled and include:
• Fireworks at Ashbridge’s Bay, Centennial Park, Milliken Park, Stan Wadlow Park and Weston Lions Park
• Canada Day celebrations on Mel Lastman Square
• Scarborough’s annual Canada Day event
• Centennial Park Canada Day Celebration
• East York Canada Day parade and festival.
The City looks forward to working with the many community and cultural organizations that it traditionally partners with to celebrate our nation’s birthday, including key partners Harbourfront Centre, TOLive and the CN Tower, to plan for virtual Canada Day celebrations that will showcase Toronto, including tributes to frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 and Toronto’s incredible artists and neighbourhoods.
Additional details on the virtual celebrations will be released as the City works with its partners.
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
