On Monday, the City of Toronto will observe a National Day of Mourning in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The beloved queen passed away at the age of 96 on September 8 (for those who have somehow missed the abundance of media coverage).
Toronto -- a city visited many times by the queen in her reign on her Royal Tours -- will take several initiatives to honour Queen Elizabeth.
At 1 p.m., city officials and staff will observe 96 seconds of silence in City Hall's Peace Garden, a spot dedicated by the queen in 1884 during a visit to City Hall. The bell at the Old City Hall tower will toll 96 times, once per minute starting at 1 p.m. At that time, all TTC vehicles will pause for 96 seconds in memory of Queen Elizabeth (a short delay for the TTC...had to). Finally, the City ferries will pause for 96 seconds and sound their horns at the start and end of the tribute.
Upon news of her passing, the City of Toronto didn’t waste time in honouring the queen. The Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips Square was dimmed on September 8, and has been lit in Royal Blue each evening since, as part of the National Illumination Tribute Initiative. The Princes’ Gates at Exhibition Place are also lit in Royal Blue as part of this initiative, which will continue until September 19.
Flags will remain at half-mast at all City facilities, parks, and vessels until the end of the mourning period on September 19 and then continue to be at half-mast until the date of the funeral for fallen Toronto Police Constable Andrew Hong.
City Council will also consider a motion of Condolence at its meeting on Wednesday, September 28.
Meanwhile, residents can continue to send condolences through the Government of Canada's online national book of condolences or in person at Toronto City Hall Civic Centres weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The City's condolence books will remain available until the end of the day on September 19.
