Torontonians will have to wave their red and white flags and sing O Canada from their homes this year, as all in-person Canada Day Celebrations slated to take place in the city have been cancelled.
This cancellation is the City's latest effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, after cancelling the annual viewing of the High Park cherry blossoms last week.
Toronto will now join other municipalities across Canada to celebrate virtually on July 1.
READ: High Park Will Be Completely Closed During Entire Cherry Blossom Bloom
“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," said Mayor John Tory on Friday during his daily COVID briefing.
"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.”
The City-led and City-permitted events that are now being cancelled include:
In the lead up to July 1, the City will work with the community and cultural organizations that it traditionally partners with to celebrate our nation's birthday, including Harbourfront Centre, TOLive, and the CN Tower to plan for the virtual celebrations that will showcase Toronto, including tributes to frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 and local artists and neighbourhoods.
The City says additional details on the virtual celebrations will be released as the City works with its partners.
