Ontario officials congratulate King Charles III on coronation day
Ontario’s highest officials offered congratulations to King Charles III on his coronation day, saying he has an “abiding curiosity and love” for Canada.
The province hosted a large party in the royal family’s honour Saturday on the lawn of Queen’s Park in Toronto. The festivities—dubbed “a fun royal fair”—included carnival rides like bumper cars and the sizzler, as well as live music and other kid-friendly activities. Free food was also available.
Speaking at a ceremony ahead of the festivities, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the monarchy’s official representation in the province, said the Crown has “always reflected the values that unite us as Ontarians.”
“Values of service of duty, of determination, of compassion and of respect for diversity and human rights,” she said.
“For 70 years those qualities were embodied by our by our beloved Queen Elizabeth II and today we look to a new sovereign for this example.”
Both Dowdeswell, as well as Premier Doug Ford, who also made remarks at the ceremony, mentioned the King’s many trips to Ontario throughout the years.
“The commitment of King Charles has been foreshadowed in those visits, a commitment to service, building of community, a renewed commitment to reconciliation, a prescient understanding of the importance of the environment and a commitment to the broader concept of sustainability, support for our military and a lifelong commitment to young people and their future," Dowdeswell said.
References to reconciliation and an understanding of Indigenous history was briefly mentioned in remarks made by both Dowdeswell and Ford. For his part, Ford said the newly crowned King was a “champion of conservation and Indigenous reconciliation.”
“Here in Ontario and across Canada, the monarchy represents continuity and stability. It's an important part of our history, our values, our sense of identity, and our government systems,” Ford told the crowd on the lawn of Queen’s Park.
The impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples was not mentioned.
King Charles met with Canadian Indigenous leaders in May 2022 and said he was “deeply moved” by stories of residential school survivors. As of the end of April 2023, no formal apology has been made by the Crown for the theft of land and treatment of Indigenous people.
The Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, released a statement earlier this week saying that King Charles III had met with Indigenous leaders prior to his coronation and said he “understands the importance of walking the path of reconciliation.”
Ontario’s ceremony also included a 21-gun salute and drum circle will follow along with a special presentation of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
‘A FUN ROYAL FAIR’
The lawn in front of Queen’s Park is open from noon to 6 p.m. for families to come and celebrate the coronation.
A number of road closures will be in effect during this time. According to the province, Queen’s Park Crescent East from College to Wellesley streets will be closed between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Other road closures include:
• Grosvenor Street from Queen's Park Crescent East to Surrey Place between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Queen's Park Crescent West from Hoskin Avenue to College Street between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
• Wellesley Street West from Queen's Park Crescent East to Hart House Circle between 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Queen's Park Crescent West ramp to Wellesley Street West between 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
CTV News Toronto confirmed last week that the party is set to cost the province about $350,000.
The province is also providing free admission to 10 tourist attractions like the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Science Centre, as well as 39 provincial parks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PM Trudeau names Anita Anand transport minister after Pablo Rodriguez quits cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped Treasury Board President Anita Anand to take on additional duties as Canada's minister of transport on Thursday.
Tensions flare between Poilievre and Singh in the House after NDP says it will back Trudeau Liberals
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh got into a heated exchange in the House of Commons on Thursday, just minutes after Singh announced his party would not be supporting the Conservatives' first non-confidence motion against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.
Canadian women among those who allege Harrods boss sexually abused them
CTV News has learned there are multiple Canadian women alleging they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the late Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed.
The RCMP has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including 3 submachine-guns
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including more than 120 handguns and at least five fully automatic weapons like machine-guns.
Shohei Ohtani becomes the first major league player with 50 homers, 50 stolen bases in a season
Shohei Ohtani became the first major league player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, with the Los Angeles Dodgers star going deep twice to reach the half-century mark and swiping two bags to get to 51 against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
Missing six-year-old boy disappeared after school breakfast program: Manitoba RCMP
Shamattawa RCMP are searching for a missing six-year-old boy who hasn’t been seen since Wednesday morning.
Woman dead, toddler uninjured following B.C. police shooting, watchdog says
B.C.'s police watchdog is investigating the death of a woman who was shot by the RCMP after allegedly barricading herself in a room with a toddler early Thursday morning.
'It's disgusting': Quebec minister reacts after body of boy, 14, found near Hells Angels hideout
The province's public security minister said he was "shocked" Thursday amid reports that a body believed to be that of a 14-year-old boy was found this week near a Hells Angels hideout near Quebec City.
Francois Legault wants the Trudeau government to fall
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is calling on the Bloc Quebecois to topple the Trudeau government next Wednesday and trigger a federal election.