The City of Toronto has confirmed that Canada Day celebrations will be happening in Nathan Phillips Square this year following reports of cancellations.
On Wednesday morning, multiple news outlets reported that a city official said Canada Day celebrations were cancelled due to insufficient resources, however a city spokesperson has assured Now Toronto that the event is happening.
According to the spokesperson, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie met with the city manager and city officials to reconsider their decision regarding the popular celebration. As a result, officials decided to proceed with the programming in the square, along with Canada Day celebrations in Mel Lastman Square and other Canada Day events across the city.
McKelvie took to Twitter to announce the update just after 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
Today, I announced Canada Day programming will be happening in Nathan Phillips Square this year.
— Jennifer McKelvie (@McKelvieTO) May 24, 2023
More details below. pic.twitter.com/BtLOURH5ZW
“There will be dozens of Canada Day celebrations across the city on July 1 including in Nathan Phillips Square and Mel Lastman Square. 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,” she said in a statement.
The city says it will work to use funding in existing budgets and leverage community partnerships and continue conversations with federal government partners around additional federal funding for Canada Day celebrations.
“I look forward to seeing Canada Day celebrations back in Nathan Phillips Square for the first time since 2017 and again in Mel Lastman Square this year,” Chair of the City’s Economic and Community Development Committee Councillor Shelley Carroll said in a statement.
“We are continuing to support the celebrations and frontline services that residents rely on and I’m thankful we have made sure our City staff found a way to do the right thing and celebrate Canada Day in Nathan Phillips Square and Mel Lastman Square along with other fun Canada Day festivities across Toronto,” she added.
Earlier on Wednesday, mayoral candidates spoke out about the celebrations being cancelled and said they would ensure that doesn’t happen if elected.
I will uncancel Canada Day! 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/2JYc96sIP8
— Mark Saunders (@marksaunders_TO) May 24, 2023
This is embarrassing. https://t.co/CUPyHWrUrU
— Brad Bradford✌️ (@BradMBradford) May 24, 2023
Details surrounding all Canada Day events are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
