Toronto reverses decision, says Canada Day festivities will be held at Nathan Phillips Square
Canada Day celebrations will be held at Nathan Phillips Square, after all.
A day after saying that there would be no July 1 festivities at the downtown square, the city confirmed on Wednesday that it is reversing the decision after a meeting between Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and city staff.
"There will be dozens of Canada Day celebrations across the city on July 1, including in Nathan Phillips Square and Mel Lastman Square," Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie said in a statement.
"I want to thank the City Manager for taking quick action to make sure we celebrate Canada Day and continue to encourage people to gather together and enjoy Toronto."
While Toronto has not marked Canada Day at Nathan Phillips Square since 2017, the city had begun preparations for a possible event this year, recruiting volunteers and holding information sessions.
However, due to insufficient resources, the city said Tuesday it decided not to move forward with its plan.
"Officials agreed to revisit their decision and proceed with Canada Day celebrations in the Square along with Canada Day celebrations in Mel Lastman Square and countless other Canada Day events," the city said in a statement on Wednesday.
Other July 1 festivities taking place across the city include the fireworks display at Ashbridge's Bay and lead-up activities in the week preceding Canada Day.
The city noted that staff will work to use funding in existing budgets and leverage community partnerships and "continue conversations with our Government of Canada partners around additional federal funding for Canada Day celebrations."
More details about the festivities be announced in the coming weeks, the city said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.