In unexpected move, Toronto to cancel ALL major events planned for summer
Despite aspirations for returning to normalcy by the summer, it looks like Toronto has decided to play it (needlessly?) safe, choosing to wait even longer.
The municipal government of Toronto just announced that the cancellation of all in-person events up until the end of Labour Day weekend on September 6.
Mayor John Tory noted as such on Twitter, writing that "I am working with
@LetsGoToTheEX to help the fair through this difficult year and prepare for a bigger and better in-person event in 2022."
The following news release was also attached:
Events to be cancelled include mainstays like the Canadian National Exhibition (which was hoping to reopen in August) and the Caribbean Carnival. It appears their hopes are now dashed, as Torontonians are expected to go without even longer.
This includes events like the Caribbean Carnival and the CNE, which announced in February that it hoped to reopen for Torontonians this summer.
The full list includes:
Taste of the Middle East
Taste of Lawrence
Honda Indy
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
Afrofest
Salsa in Toronto
49th Annual Festival of India
Bloor West StreetFest
Beaches Jazz Festival
Oss Fest
Caribbean Junior Carnival
Scarborough Ribfest
Caribbean Carnival, King and Queen Competition, Pan Alive and Grand Parade
Taste of the Danforth
Vegandale Food Drink Festival
Bollywood Film Fair
Waterfront Night Market
Canadian National Exhibition
Mabuhay Philippines Festival
Toronto Chinatown Festival
Labour Day Parade
The City said that "Mass participation festivals and events require long lead times for planning, rely on City sites, supports or permissions, and present higher public health risks given limits to physical distancing and exposure to attendees from outside of the area. The need to sustain essential services also limits the City’s ability to support third-party event organizers.
"Providing this cancellation notice will allow many events to avoid incurring unnecessary costs and access insurance and other supports," the City continued.
This news comes hot on the trail of the Ford government's announcement that the current stay-at-home order is expected to continue at least until June 2.
