You’re Invited: Canada Day Events in Ontario + Toronto Road Closures June 28-July 1 + Green Events July 1-3, 2013

This video presents “Canada Day in the Capital 2013 – Chris Hadfield – Fête du Canada dans la capitale 2013”:

CAA South Central Ontario offers the following fun facts about Canada, the Great White North:

  • Hockey and lacrosse are both Canada’s national sports.
  • John Cabot was the first explorer to reach Canada in 1497.
  • Canadians consume more macaroni and cheese than any other nation on Earth.
  • Ontario’s groundhog (named Wiarton Willie) is an albino groundhog from Wiarton, Ontario.
  • There hasn’t been mail delivery on Saturday in Canada for the past 35 years.
  • The Stanley Cup has its own bodyguard.
  • The word “Canada” comes from a misunderstanding between Jacques Cartier and some Iroquois youth. The youth were pointing out a small area (for which they used the word “Kanata”), but Cartier took that to mean the entire area.
  • There are no snakes on the island of Newfoundland.
  • Canada only received an official national flag almost 100 years after it became a country.
  • It was illegal to sell pop cans in Prince Edward Island between 1984 and 2008.

Here are exciting celebratory events in Ontario, Canada:

  • Most of these events are FREE

The Capital’s Annual Canada Day Celebrations: July 1, 2013

Canada’s Capital

Canada Day Hotline
613-239-5000 | 1-800-465-1867
Open Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm
Saturday and Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm
July 1st from 8:30 am to 10 pm

  • Canada Day is the celebration of Canada’s birthday.
  • It marks the anniversary of July 1, 1867, when four British North American provinces joined to create a new federation called Canada.
  • There are also special activities at other locations in the Capital, including:

    • FREE jazz concerts at Confederation Park, as part of the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.

    • FREE admission to the Capital’s many national museums and attractions.

    • Canada’s Biggest Barbecue Event on the Plaza Bridge.

    • FREE parking at National Capital Commission (NCC) beaches and parks.

    • And more!

  • And if you can’t make it to Ottawa for Canada Day, you can still be part of the celebration by:

    • watching the Canada Day broadcast on CBC and Radio-Canada at 9 pm (Eastern Time) on July 1.

This video presents “Canada Day 2011 (part 2) I Fête du Canada 2011 (partie 2)”:

Celebrating Canada Day Across Ontario: July 1, 2013

  • Ontario Government is inviting you, your families and friends to the FREE Queen’s Park celebratory event to enjoy live dance performances, entertainment by popular children’s characters and carnival rides among other attractions at the annual Canada Day celebration at Queen’s Park.

    • This event will showcase farmers and growers from across the province, with a farmer’s market and strawberry sampling.

    • Festivities begin with a 21-gun salute at noon on Monday July 1, 2013 and will run until 5 p.m.

    • Other festivities include:

      • McMichael Canadian Collection

        • Starting at 1 p.m., the McMichael in Kleinburg will serve birthday cake, followed by a performance of Canadian fiddle songs by Anne Lederman’s band.

      • Discovery Harbour

        • Celebrations at Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene include children’s activities, giveaways and FREE Canada Day birthday cake.

      • Fort Erie Friendship Festival

        • The four-day festival from June 28 to July 1 in Fort Erie, features spectacular concerts, entertainment, crafts and more.

        • The festival honours both Canada Day and more than 200 years of friendship between Canada and the United States.

      • Fort William Historical Park

        • Festivities at the Fort in Thunder Bay from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. include FREE  Canada Day birthday cake, games, contests, historic dramas and other family activities.

  • To find a Canada Day celebration in your area, visit the Ontario Tourism website.

This video presents “Canada Day Fireworks 2012 – Mel Lastman Square”:

Canada Day at Mel Lastman Square

FREE admission

July 1, 2013

5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

5100 Yonge St., Toronto

  • The City of Toronto invites you to celebrate Canada’s 146th birthday with live music and dance performances plus children’s crafts and stunning fireworks choreographed to an all Canadian soundtrack.
  • Please click here for the Canada Day 2013 event schedule.

    • On stage, world-champion hoop dancer Lisa Odjig will be followed by dance company Northbuck Krumping.

    • Zero Gravity Circus will present its Open Air Big Top featuring aerial acrobatics at 5, 6 and 7 p.m.

    • She King will perform at 8 p.m.

    • At 9:15 p.m. there will be a performance by Juno-award-winning singer/songwriter Derek Miller.

    • The Canada Day celebrations at Mel Lastman Square will conclude with fireworks at 10:15 p.m.

Other Celebratory Events and Activities in Toronto on July 1

  • City parks, outdoor swimming pools, wading pools and splash pads will be open on Canada Day, as will several of the City’s historic sites.
  • Most community centres will be closed on July 1, but some community centres in parks hosting Canada Day events will allow public entry for basic services.
  • The following five City golf courses will be open at holiday rates (weather permitting, rates vary among the courses):
    • Dentonia, 781 Victoria Park, 416-392-2558
    • Don Valley, 4200 Yonge St., 416-392-2465
    • Humber Valley, 40 Beattie Ave., 416-392-2488
    • Scarlett Woods, 1000 Jane St., 416-392-2484
    • Tam O’Shanter, 2481 Birchmount Rd., 416-392-2547
  • East Toronto
    • Scarborough’s 46th annual Canada Day celebration will be held in Thomson Park (1005 Brimley Rd.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday.
      • This FREE event will include a FREE pancake breakfast, buskers, bouncy inflatables, entertainment and a craft show/sale.
      • Thomson Park Memorial Museum will be open, and hot-air balloon rides will be offered.
      • Seniors can also participate in a slo-pitch softball game.
      • More information about this FREE event is available by calling 416-338-1968.

    • The annual Canada Day parade will begin at 4 p.m. west of the Scarborough Civic Centre on Brimley Road, ending at Lawrence Avenue East and Brimley Road at about 5:30 p.m.

      • More information is available by calling 416-396-4069.
      • The parade is sponsored by Metroland Media Toronto.
      • Admission is FREE.

    • A FREE fireworks display at Milliken Park (Steeles Road and McCowan Road) will begin at dusk.

      • For more information, please call 416-396-7757.
  • North Toronto

    • The Old Style Community Picnic will be held at the Broadlands Community Centre and Park (19 Castlegrove Blvd.) from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

    • This FREE event is hosted by the O’Connor Hills Ratepayers Association in conjunction with Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation division.

    • Activities include face painting, games, clown entertainment and folk singing.

    • More information is available at 416-395-7966.

  • South and Central Toronto

    • The annual Canada Day fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay Park (Lake Shore Boulevard East at the foot of Coxwell Avenue) is presented by North Star Fireworks.

    • The FREE fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.

      • Residents who are planning to attend are encouraged to leave personal vehicles at home and use public transit instead.

    • Hosted by East York Toronto Canada Day Corporation in co-operation with Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation division, East York’s 56th annual Canada Day parade motorcade will start at the East York Town Centre (45 Overlea Blvd.) at 9:30 a.m.

      • The motorcade will then make its way to Dieppe Park, where the marching bands will start at 10 a.m.
      • The motorcade will then move east to Stan Wadlow Park, at 888 Cosburn Ave., where the parade is scheduled to finish at about noon.
      • The celebrations at Stan Wadlow Park will begin at 11 a.m. and finish at 11 p.m.
        • Residents will be able to enjoy live entertainment and a display of antique cars.
        • The Kiwanis Pool will be open from noon to 7 p.m.
        • The fireworks display will start at 10:15 p.m. and the park will close at 11 p.m.
        • Admission is FREE.
  • West Toronto

    • The 14th annual Toronto Ribfest will be held at Centennial Park (256 Centennial Park Rd.) throughout the Canada Day long weekend from June 29 to July 1 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, with 16 professional ribbers.

      • There will be live music and midway rides, and a spectacular Canada Day fireworks display at 10 p.m. on July 1.
      • Admission and parking are FREE.
      • More information: http://www.torontoribfest.com

    • The annual Canada Day FREE event at Amesbury Park (1507 Lawrence Ave. W.) will start at 10 a.m

      • Activities include a pancake brunch, barbecue, live entertainment, marketplace, strongman’s competition and activities for children, plus fireworks at 10 p.m.
  • Reminder about parks: Members of the public are not allowed to set off fireworks in City of Toronto parks.
  • Alcohol is not permitted in Toronto parks.
  • Canada Day at Toronto Historic Sites

    • Fort York is the birthplace of urban Toronto; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

      • The fort’s guard will perform a musket-and-artillery drill and fife-and-drum music.
      • Kids can engage in craft-making, face-painting, hula-hooping and storytelling.
      • Temporary tattoos and Canadian flags will be available.
      • Visitors can picnic on Fort York’s green space and tour this National Historic Site.
      • At the Mackenzie House table, visitors can print a Canada Day souvenir on the historic proof press and pick up information about Mackenzie House’s programs.
      • A guided walk in the Fort York historic district will begin at 1 p.m.
      • This FREE Celebrate Canada event is supported by a grant from the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
      • Fort York is located at 250 Fort York Blvd.

    • Scarborough Museum

      • Canada Rocks at Scarborough Museum will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 1.
      • Visitors can play croquet, take part in a pie-eating contest, sample treats from historic recipes, pick up a Canadian flag and enjoy a piece of Happy Birthday Canada cake.
      • Visitors can also join in the Canada Day fun at Thomson Memorial Park.
      • Scarborough Museum and Thomson Memorial Park are located at 1007 Brimley Rd. just north of Lawrence Avenue.
      • This FREE Celebrate Canada event is supported by a grant from the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.

    • Spadina Museum: Historic House and Gardens

      • It will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Canada Day, featuring a themed tour called “Meet the Austins: A Toronto Family Between the Wars” at 12:15, 1, 1:45, 3:15 and 4 p.m.
      • Visitors will see the history of Toronto through the eyes of the Austin family, whose members made what is now Spadina Museum their home.
      • The museum is located at 285 Spadina Rd. next door to Casa Loma, where paid parking is available.
      • Regular admission applies.

    • Colborne Lodge

      • In High Park, Colborne Lodge will have an information and activity table from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during the Canada Day celebration in High Park hosted by Peggy Nash, MP for Parkdale-High Park.
      • The FREE event will feature live music, refreshments and children’s activities.

    • Todmorden Mills Heritage Site

      •  Canada Day celebrations will be at Stan Wadlow Park.
      • The public will be able to learn about Todmorden’s connections to the history of East York, see a collection of 19th-century toys and create a craft.

    • More information about these and other events at the City of Toronto Historic Sites is available at http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/featured-events.htm.

  • City services on Canada Day

    • City of Toronto offices – including customer-service counters/kiosks – will be closed on Monday, July 1.

    • Toronto’s long-term care homes will remain open on Canada Day – Monday, July 1.

    • City child-care centres and the City of Toronto Archives will be closed on July 1.

    • All City emergency services and 24-hour operations will be provided as usual on Canada Day, July 1. For emergency response, call 911.

    • The City’s 311 information service will be operating as usual.

Harbourfront Centre's image: "Canada Eve" June 30 Fireworks at the New Canada Square 2013
Harbourfront Centre’s image: “Canada Eve” June 30 Fireworks at the New Canada Square 2013

Canada Square Grand Opening

FREE Admission

July 1, 2013

1:00PM

Canada Square
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto ON

View Map

  • All are welcome to attend the official opening ceremony at 1 pm by Harbourfront Centre CEO William J.S. Boyle and the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment.
  • Canada Square is a joint project of Harbourfront Centre and Waterfront Toronto funded by the Government of Canada.
  • Plus, for the first time in decades, Harbourfront Centre will  be putting on a spectacular fireworks show on the evening of June 30th!
    “Canada Eve” Fireworks
    10:30PM – 11:00PM
    Canada Square
    235 Queens Quay West, Toronto ON

    View Map

Celebrate Canada’s 146th birthday with the City of Vaughan

FREE

July 1, 2013

3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mackenzie Glen District Park
220 Cranston Park Ave., Vaughan, Ontario

  • Residents are invited to attend the FREE event to mark Canada’s 146th birthday.
  • Taking the stage this year for the headline concerts will be British Columbia party-core sensation These Kids Wear Crowns and Mia Martina.
  • The event will feature a host of other activities including an inflatable zone and zip line, children’s activities and an official welcome from Mayor and Members of Council.
  • FREE shuttle bus service to and from the event site will be running continously from Vaughan City Hall and St. Joan of Arc Catholic high school between 2:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Live Green Toronto Grants: Applications Open July 1

Live Green Toronto Grants
c/o Jeff McCormick
Senior Environment Planner
Environment & Energy Office
City Hall, 21st Floor, East Tower
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario,
M5H 2N2

Tel: 416-392-1135
E-mail: livegreengrants@toronto.ca

  • Live Green Toronto grants of up to $25,000 are available to help you and your neighbours green your community.

    • The Live Green Toronto Community Grant program provides “partial financial support to community groups who develop and initiate projects and services that benefit the natural environment, reduce greenhouse gas and smog-causing emissions, and help neighbourhoods adapt to changes caused by climate change.“

    • Live Green Toronto‘s “intent is to support innovative grassroot initiatives that maximize public involvement, provide clear measurable benefits and create lasting assets that make Toronto a greener and healthier city.“

  • Examples of approved projects include:
    • planting trees
    • installing renewable energy systems
    • rejuvenating neighbourhood parks
    • creating community vegetable gardens
    • facilitating energy conservation activities
    • rainwater storage
    • creating opportunities to utilize low emitting or non-polluting forms of transportation and much more
  • Expressions of interest are due September 16, 2013.

“Take Time for Nature This Canada Day”

  • The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has sites and interpretive centres across the country that are open to visitors.

leaf-salvaging_urban_wood_tree_tour_2013

Salvaging Urban Wood Tree Tour

July 3, 2013 – 7:00p.m. – 8:30p.m.

$5.00 suggested donation

Registration Recommended

Parking lot
358 Keele Street (southwest corner of Keele St. and Dundas St. W.)
Toronto

  • Tour Leaders are:
    • Ryan Kuz, Owner, Karmatree
    • Dennis Hale, Owner, Storyboard Furniture
    • Janet McKay, Executive Director, LEAF
  • Join LEAF as they explore the beautiful trees of the Junction and learn the species and situations that make for the best urban wood salvage operations.
  • Tour a Junction backyard where homeowner, tree climber and woodworker worked together to salvage the wood of a beautiful black locust.

Toronto Road Closures: June 28 – July 1

  • Dyke March
    • All roads in the march route will be closed on Saturday, June 29 between noon and 5 p.m. (The march takes place from 1 to 4 p.m.).
      • March route:
        1. begins at Church and Hayden Street
        2. proceeds north on Church Street to Bloor Street East,
        3. west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street
        4. south on Yonge Street to Carlton Street
        5. east on Carlton Street
        6. finishes just before Sherbourne Street.
  • Pride Parade
    • All roads in the route will be closed on Sunday, June 30 for varying periods between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (The parade takes place from 2 to 6:30 p.m.)
      • Formation area: Rosedale Valley Road, from Bayview Avenue to Park Road.
      • Parade route:
        1. begins at Church Street and Bloor Street East
        2. proceeds west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street
        3. south on Yonge Street
        4. to finish at Dundas Street.

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Contact Info

  • Information on fares, routes, schedules and service

    • 416-393-4636 (INFO)

    • Recorded information available 24 hours daily

    • Operator-assisted service is available from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily, except statutory holidays

    • TTY Hearing Impaired Service, 416-481-2523, Daily, 8:00am-6:00pm; except statutory holidays

  • Main Switchboard

    • 416-393-4000

    • Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

Always call 911 for emergencies.

Enjoy! / Amusez-vous!

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

NEWS RELEASE

June 25, 2013

Weekend events with road closures in Toronto

Several special events this weekend will involve road closures. Residents and visitors are encouraged to come out and enjoy these events. Businesses in the areas affected are open to pedestrian traffic but some roads will be closed to vehicles.

Festivals and other special events are important to the city, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars annually into Toronto’s economy, and they are enjoyed each year by local residents.

In addition to road closures related to special events, there is a significant amount of road work taking place in the city. People are encouraged to take public transit as a greener, faster and more affordable way of getting to their destinations.

Those who need to drive in the general vicinity of special events should allow extra time to get to and from their destination. A more complete list of events and road work is available at http://www.toronto.ca/torontostreets/

Church Street Pride Festival – Thursday, June 28 to Monday, July 1
– Church Street from Carlton Street to Hayden Street will be closed from Friday, June 28 at 6 p.m. to Monday, July 1 at 6 a.m.

Pride and Remembrance Run – Saturday, June 29
– Wellesley Street from Jarvis Street to and including Queen’s Park Circle will be closed on Saturday, June 29 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Dyke March – Saturday, June 29
– All roads in the route will be closed between noon and 5 p.m. (The march takes place from 1 to 4 p.m.)
– March route: begins at Church and Hayden Street, proceeds north on Church Street to Bloor Street East, west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street, south on Yonge Street to Carlton Street, east on Carlton Street and finishes just before Sherbourne Street.

Pride Parade – Sunday, June 30
– All roads in the route will be closed for varying periods between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (The parade takes place from 2 to 6:30 p.m.)
– Formation area: Rosedale Valley Road, from Bayview Avenue to Park Road.
– Parade route: begins at Church Street and Bloor Street East, proceeds west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street, south on Yonge Street to finish at Dundas Street.

Pride Concert at Yonge-Dundas Square – Sunday, June 30
– Yonge Street from Dundas Street to Queen Street will be closed from 1 p.m. to midnight.

Canada Day Celebrations at Mel Lastman Square
– Yonge Street, from North York Boulevard to Park Home Avenue, will be closed on Monday, July 1 from 7 to 11 p.m.

Canada Day Celebration at Queen’s Park
– Queen’s Park/Queen’s Park Circle from College Street to Hoskin Avenue will be closed on Monday, July 1 from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Canada Day Parade in Scarborough
– Brimley Road will be closed from Progress Avenue to Ellesmere Road from 1 to 6 p.m. and from Ellesmere Road to Lawrence Avenue East from 3 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 1.
– Ellesmere Road will be closed from Midland Avenue to McCowan Road from 4 to 5 p.m.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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