Chris Fox, CP24.com
Torontonians are getting ready to mark Canada’s birthday and while Sunday’s festivities may not carry the pomp of last year’s Canada 150 celebrations, there will still be plenty to do.
From fireworks, to parades and concerts, there is no shortage of activities taking place throughout Toronto this weekend and if the beach is more your thing you can do that too but you may want to remember the sunscreen - Toronto remains under a heat warning with a daytime high of 35 C forecast for Canada Day.
Here is a list of everything you need to know as you plan your Canada Day weekend:
Fireworks
The big fireworks show is taking place at Ashbridges Bay but you there are at least a half-dozen other fireworks displays planned for elsewhere in the city.
Amesbury Park at 10 p.m.
Ashbridges Bay/Woodbine Park at 10 p.m.
Centennial Park at 10 p.m.
Milliken Park at 10 p.m.
Mel Lastman Square at 10:30 p.m.
Stan Wadlow Park at 10 p.m.
Weston Lions Park at 10 p.m.
Parades
There are two Canada Day parades taking place in the east end, so you can have your choice.
The annual East York Canada Day begins near Dieppe Park at 10 a.m. and wraps up at Stan Wadlow Park at 1 p.m. The parade travels eastbound on Cosburn Avenue to Coxwell Avenue, southbound on Coxwell Avenue to Sammon Avenue, eastbound on Sammon Avenue to Woodbine Avenue and northbound on Woodbine Avenue to O'Connor Drive.
The annual Scarborough Canada Day parade then gets underway at 4 p.m. This year’s edition is expected to consit of more than 50 floats and 20 bands. The parade starts on Brimley Road near Ellesmere Road and heads south along Brimley to Lawrence Avenue.
Events
The city’s official Canada Day celebration takes place at Mel Lastman Square in North York this year and is sure to be a musical affair. There will be a DJ stage featuring performances by DJ Classic Roots, DJ Sean Sax and DJ Nino Brow and there will also be a main stage with performances by Kristin Fung, Los Poetas and Shakura S’Aida. Events get underway at 5 p.m. and wrap up upon the conclusion of the fireworks scheduled for 10:30 p.m.
There will be a free pancake breakfast at Thomson Memorial Park at 10 a..m., followed by a full day of activities and entertainment. Musical performers include Southern Fried, Blush, Destiny and The Arsenals featuring Sonia Collymore.
The 18th annual Toronto Ribfest is taking place at Centennial Park in Etobicoke from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., at which point attendees can stay to catch the fireworks. In addition to tender ribs, there will also be live entertainment a midway and a kids zone.
CTVNews.ca Staff
Just in time for Canada Day, large swaths of the country experiencing what Environment Canada calls the “most significant heat event in the past few years.”
With the weather agency warning of “extreme heat” all weekend for much of Ontario and Quebec, as well as special weather statements in place for much of Atlantic Canada, many are concerned that the weather will make outdoor plans for Canada day unsafe.
But Dr. Nadia Alam, president of the Ontario Medical Association, says that the two aren’t mutually exclusive.
“You can be outside, you can enjoy the activities and festivities and be safe at the same time, Dr. Alam told CTV News Channel.
With the holiday long weekend already in full swing, CTV News spoke with medical experts for their top three tips to stay cool and safe.
Know who’s at risk
With a variety of health risks, ranging from heat rash and sunburns to heat stroke, it’s important to be aware – especially for young children, seniors and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
“Children and elderly people are not very good at regulating their body temperatures to begin with,” Dr. Alam said. “So for those special populations you have to watch them extra carefully. “
Watch for symptoms
Being aware of the signs of heat-related illness is the best way to avoid heat exposure turning into something far more dangerous.
“Prevention is worth a pound of cure here,” Dr. Alam said “The biggest thing people can do is pay attention.”
Environment Canada says that the symptoms of heat illness include swelling, rashes, cramps, and fainting, while racing heartbeat, nausea, and vomiting are also things to watch out for.
If any of these symptoms manifest themselves, the situation should be treated as a medical emergency, and the affected person should immediately be moved into the shade, sat down and given water.
Know how to beat the heat
Dr, Eileen de Villa, medical officer of health for the City of Toronto, told CTV News Channel that the key to staying safe is limiting exposure to the heat.
She recommends avoiding being outdoors during the hottest part of the day, scheduling activities that require you to be outside in the morning or in the evening and to avoid the sun at its hottest.
Other tips to prevent heat stroke include staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and taking advantage of air conditioned spaces available such as malls, libraries and city-run cooling centres.
OTTAWA—U.S. President Donald Trump is thanking Canada for its "partnership on the global stage" in a Canada Day message to Gov. Gen. Julie Payette. In a written statement from the U.S. Embassy, Trump offers his "sincerest congratulations to all Canadians" as they celebrate the national July 1 holiday.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G-7 summit in Charlevoix, Canada. Trump has issued a message for Canada Day praising the relationship between the two countries, despite recent criticism of Trudeau and trade tariffs targeting Canada. ( Evan Vucci / AP file photo )
He says the U.S. and Canada "stand firmly together against threats to our shared democratic values and our freedoms and way of life." The message comes as the two neighbouring countries are embroiled in a bitter and escalating trade dispute, with retaliatory tariffs on billions of dollars worth of American goods set to take effect on Canada Day. The friendly language also contradicts some of the words Trump himself has used of late to describe Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including "dishonest" and "weak."
Article Continued Below
Read more about:
From Colwood to Sidney and points in-between there are many events planned for the Canada Day weekend.
They include:
article continues below
• About 50,000 people are expected to gather Sunday around Victoria’s Inner Harbour for Canada Day celebrations beginning at noon that feature family-friendly events and main-stage performances.
Festivities include performances from a giant stage on the legislature lawn, a living flag (T-shirt pickup is 12:30 p.m. for participants, assembly at 1:30 p.m.), the flavour of Canada food village, an Indigenous blessing and the Lekwungen Dancers. The Band of Rascals are scheduled to perform at 8:20 p.m. and Carmanah at 9:20 p.m.
Fireworks are scheduled for 10:20 p.m.
Belleville Street (Menzies to Douglas) will be closed Canada Day from 6 a.m. to midnight and Government Street ( Humboldt to Superior) will be closed 4 p.m. to midnight.
People are encouraged to walk, bike or bus.
There will be free valet bike parking adjacent to the legislature buildings. B.C. Transit will be running on a Sunday schedule with supplemental buses.
For more information: canadadayvictoria.ca.
• The Gorge Canada Day Picnic celebrates its 20th birthday with a community get-together that includes a pancake breakfast, strawberry tea and canoe rides. The free event runs 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Gorge Road between Admirals and Tillicum roads.
There will be a family parade, entertainment at four stages, almost 30 food vendors, a family theatre, road hockey and soccer.
The very popular traditional strawberry tea, served in the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club building, is only $3 and runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. But come early, as it always sells out.
Artisans will be on hand with their wares and a collection of classic and vintage cars will be found at the Show and Shine Show.
There is no parking and no vehicle traffic during the event. More at gorgecanadaday.ca.
• Sidney Days and Canada Day combine in four days of music, food, dancing and, of course, fireworks, now until Tuesday.
Saturday features cultural performances, a formal opening ceremony, music and fireworks set to music at 10:15 p.m.
On Canada Day, there’s a pancake breakfast, a parade, a family fun fair and the build-a-boat race. The celebrations wrap up on Monday, when Beacon Avenue is closed to traffic for a Sidewalk Sale and Street Festival hosted by area businesses.
For more information visit: sidney.ca.
• Canada Day is the only day of the year when admission is free to Fort Rodd Hill and the Fisgard Lighthouse national historic sites in Colwood.
Celebrations will feature Canada Day’s biggest birthday cake, live music and activities for children.
Visitors can explore the 155-year-old Fisgard Lighthouse, Canteen, Belmont and Lower Batteries, the Fortress Plotting Room or other historic buildings on the property from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The site is at 603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd.
For more details: fortroddhill.com/index.html.
