For over 20 years, Economic Development and Culture produced a Canada Day event annually in Mel Lastman Square (North York) until funding was eliminated from Economic Development and Culture’s operating budget in 2018. Since 2018, despite budgetary constraints, Economic Development and Culture leveraged different funding sources to deliver Canada Day activities at Mel Lastman Square in 2019, 2022 and 2023. As referenced in 2024.EC12.6 - Review of City of Toronto’s Canada Day Events , the 15 City-run July 1 events in 2024 will fall within 12 of the City’s 25 wards. Although these events are planned for all four Community Council catchment areas, neither the number of events nor the funding is equitably distributed across all Community Council areas. For 2024, 90 percent of City funds directed to Canada Day celebrations will animate July 1 in only two Community Council areas - Toronto and East York and Scarborough. City-funded fireworks will be enjoyed in all three Community Council areas except North York. Of the approximately $317,000 of planned City funds (including funds received through sponsorships) to be spent on 2024 Canada Day events, none is allocated to events in North York. This member motion requests a report back on how to equitably fund and distribute Canada Day events across all four Community Council areas for July 1, 2025 celebrations. In addition, funding allocation should acknowledge Urban Growth Centres outside the downtown core, as outlined in the Official Plan. As we build density across our City, we need to support these growing communities in bringing vibrancy and invest in opportunities to bring the community together. In a multicultural city such as Toronto, there are very few banners under which we can all stand. As a child in an immigrant family, I recall my first feelings of pride in being Canadian experienced at Canada Day celebrations. Allowing more people to experience Canada Day across our city will help strengthen our shared identity and build a stronger sense of belonging.
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