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Toronto City Update focuses on the latest services, innovations and accomplishments at the City of Toronto – Canada's largest city and sixth largest government. This e-newsletter is for the public, stakeholders, members of Council, and staff of the Toronto Public Service.
Panamania hits T.O – Let the games begin
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Toronto strikes gold – wins 2015 Pan Am
Games bid
The Pan Am Games are one of the premium multi-sport events in the world. For
two weeks, Toronto will be the centre of the world, with an exciting opportunity to
showcase everything that is great about our city. It will be the biggest event ever in
Toronto's history. The Games will attract 10,000 of the world’s best athletes, their
families and supporters from 42 countries in the Americas and the Caribbean.
As a result of this win, 15,000 direct jobs, 250,000 visitors, millions of dollars in
economic spin-offs for critical industries such as tourism, hospitality, service, cultural
and entertainment are expected. With a firm deadline to meet, Toronto has a target
for speeding up planned improvements in public transit, infrastructure, waterfront
development and housing.
www.toronto2015.org |
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Toronto hosts Vancouver 2010 Olympic
Torch Relay
Close to 200 torchbearers, carried the Olympic Flame 48 kilometres through Toronto streets on December 17 to 19 as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay travelled through the city, as it continued on its 106-day journey across the country in the lead up to the Winter Olympics on February 12, 2010.
The Olympic Torch Relay was a once-in-a-life time opportunity for Torontonians to see the Olympic Flame and thousands of people joined in with the celebrations by coming out and cheering torchbearers along the route and attending the events at Scarborough Civic Centre and Nathan Phillips Square. Nearly three thousand children from local schools attended Scarborough Civic Centre event, which included entertainment such as buskers, musicians, a sledge hockey demonstration and more.
Over 20,000 people turned out to see Olympian and Toronto’s Final Torchbearer, Vicky Sunohara light the caldron at the Community Celebration at Nathan Phillips Square on December 17. The night’s celebration showcased local, national and international dancers, musicians and acrobats. Highlights included performances by singer/songwriter Suzie McNeil, world champion hoop dancer Lisa Odjig, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Extreme Trampoline and Suspended Animation Circus. A special dance performance commissioned by the City brought together 44 musicians and dancers inspired by customs of welcome from Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania and the Americas.
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Build it and they will come – Toronto strategic investment plans |
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2010 Capital Budget and 10-year Capital Plan funds infrastructure – creates jobs
The proposed 2010 Capital Budget and 10-Year Capital Plan has been approved
by City Council. The proposals speed up job creation and the maintenance of City
infrastructure by moving more capital spending into the first five years of the plan.
The City’s total capital budget plan, including water and waste management is
$25.8 billion over the next 10 years. The budget and plan includes funding for the
ongoing maintenance and replacement of the City’s major infrastructure such as
transit, roads and bridges, police stations and emergency communications systems.
The capital budget also funds ongoing environmental initiatives, improvements to the
waterfront and Toronto’s many parks, trails, libraries and community centres. Over the
10-year period, the plan will create or maintain approximately 300,000 jobs.
toronto.ca/budget2010
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Building the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension
As Canada’s third largest university, York University is home to over 42,000 full-time
and 9,200 part-time students. About 30,000 people ride 1,600 buses daily to York’s
Campus at Keele Street and Steeles Avenue. Many others drive their vehicles and
pay for parking. But all of that will change by 2015. The Toronto-York Spadina Subway
Extension project, connecting the City of Toronto to York Region, will have a stop on
campus and house a new York University Station.
Bud Purves, President of York University Development Corporation notes, with a
subway station located in the heart of York’s campus, the university community will
now be linked to York Region as well as downtown Toronto. It will also remove barriers
to the campus and take 1,600 daily buses off York Commons. When the subway
extension is completed, York University will be linked with the University of Toronto,
the MaRS Discovery District, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Archives of Ontario.
Designs for the York University Station are in the early development stages with an
estimated completion date of 2015.
www.ttc.ca
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Toronto Innovation Showcase
Open data was the hot topic of discussion during Toronto Innovation Showcase on November 2 and 3. During the two-day expo of IT innovation, City staff mingled with members of the public for the launch of OpenTO, the City's open data initiative, discussed open government and how to promote efficiency and effectiveness by making government more transparent, participatory, and collaborative. This was also the year of firsts for the City's Toronto Innovation Awards and presentations from other municipalities. Panel discussion topics and professional development sessions included Emergency Medical Service's Electronic Patient Care Reporting System and Web Access to Your Services - both Showcase Ontario award winners. Many IT applications from various City divisions and academia were also featured. More than 400 people, both in and outside the organization, participated in the panel discussions via webcast and Twitter.
toronto.ca/toshowcase
toronto.ca/open
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Dream Up!
Enterprise Toronto hosted the 8th annual Small Business Forum on October 19.
This year’s theme Dream Up! reflected the optimism of small business owners who
are beginning to see signs of economic recovery. More than 1,500 business owners
attended the forum. Participants were treated to an interactive question and answer
period with W. Brett Wilson of CBC’s Dragon’s Den, 16 roundtable discussions, 16
seminars and a 70-exhibitor tradeshow. Experts in areas such as financing, online
business solutions and attracting investments educated attendees on ways to improve
their businesses and collectively encouraged business owners to Dream Up!
www.enterprisetoronto.com
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Going green saves money and energy |
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Sealing the “Hopenhagen” climate deal
Mayor David Miller helped convene the Climate Summit for Mayors which drew more
than 100 municipal leaders from around the world to Copenhagen during the United
Nations Climate Change Conference.
Torontonians joined Mayor Miller in signing
the “Hopenhagen” petition which called for world leaders to reach an agreement to
address climate change. The petition was signed by more than 2 million people and
presented to heads of state at the UN Conference.
As Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and co-convener of the
Climate Summit, Mayor Miller continues to champion the urgent need for leadership
in combating climate change. Since 1990, the City has lowered its greenhouse gas
emissions by more than 40 per cent. Toronto’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
The City of Toronto, along with nine other cities, profiled its environmental leadership
in the Future Cities Pavilion at the Summit. Toronto’s video that ran around-the-clock
for the duration of the UN Conference showcased many of our environmental
innovations including our deep lake water cooling system, the wind turbine at
Exhibition Place, our solar powered parking meters, the planned Transit City streetcar
network and the re-cladding of aging towers with insulation.
http://toronto.ca/livegreen |
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Toronto Housing provider receives $100K for saving on energy
Villa Charities Inc. has earned top dollars for saving energy. The social housing
operator installed energy efficient lighting in 10,000 fixtures, saving more than
2.3 million kWh of electricity a year. For their efforts, the City of Toronto’s Better
Buildings Partnership (BBP) presented the operator a cheque for close to $100K to go
towards future capital projects.
The City’s Shelter, Support and Housing Administration division’s, Social Housing Unit
encourages housing providers to conduct building condition audits, and informs them
of City incentives to help them achieve returns on their investments. Both the Social
Housing Unit and the BBP are enthusiastic about their collaborative efforts to ensure
that housing providers maximize their energy savings and have access to funding
opportunities.
toronto.ca/release-villa-charities
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City launches HEAT, a way to insulate your home and your wallet
The City has officially launched Home Energy Assistance Toronto (HEAT), a new
incentive program, offering residents up to $1,000 when they upgrade their home
insulation. HEAT is open to owners of low-rise residential properties (detached, semi-detached
and town homes), and is designed to help Torontonians save money and
the environment by making their homes more energy efficient. HEAT partners with
Federal government’s ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes program so homeowners can
access insulation grants of up to $8,750 in total from all three orders of government.
Residents who undertake other important energy efficient upgrades can leverage
even more funds.
toronto.ca/livegreen/
www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/
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New membership card helps Torontonians shop, save and live green
Live Green Toronto’s new membership card helps residents who want to do the right
thing for the environment connect with Toronto businesses with the same goals.
They can get discounts and other exclusive offers when they buy green products and
services. The membership card is another way that Live Green Toronto is helping
residents, businesses and community groups take immediate action to green our city.
www.livegreentoronto.ca
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New program honours those touched by cancer,
beautifies City parks
Golden daffodils will brighten local parks and public spaces in the spring as the
City and the Canadian Cancer Society create Fields of Gold – a program that offers
Torontonians a chance to honour family and friends who have fought cancer. Daffodil
bulbs were planted at four locations across the city this fall. Through Fields of Gold,
individuals or companies can make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society and
create a floral legacy of daffodils in Allan Gardens, Grandravine Park, Bathurst/Wilson
Park and the public open space at Mt. Pleasant Road and Whitehall Road.
The program, developed in collaboration with the City’s Parks, Forestry and
Recreation and Transportation Services divisions, will host further plantings in the
spring in designated locations. Money raised by Fields of Gold will help the Canadian Cancer Society’s mission of eradicating cancer through research, to increase
awareness on prevention and advocacy efforts, and enhance the quality of life of
people living with cancer through information and community-based services.
www.cancer.ca/fieldsofgold |
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Joint Service Area at City Hall
Service Canada, Service Ontario and the City of Toronto have come together to
provide one-stop shopping for government services. Since it opened in March 2007,
the Joint Service Area (JSA) has processed 4,348 claims for Employment Insurance,
13,549 social insurance number applications and 1,797 Canada Pension Plan
applications. They have also registered 976 newborns, 26,236 deaths and issued
21,236 marriage licences.
Over 490 people have also used the Service Ontario Kiosk to renew their licence
stickers, obtain a driver’s abstract or change their address since its installation in May
2009. If you have a question or wish to take advantage of the one-stop shopping for
government services, visit online.
toronto.ca/services/servicecentre.htm
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Innovative Partnerships
Thanks to creative efforts in partnerships at the City, students from eight North
Etobicoke schools picked up bats and gloves to play a fast and entertaining round
robin of cricket in November. The event was sponsored by Scotiabank and Black
Diamond and hosted by the City of Toronto and Humber College. Building on the
success of this event and to encourage and expand the availability of these types
of sponsorship opportunities that can enrich the lives of Torontonians, some two
dozen City employees sharpened their partnering skills to attend the first in a planned
series of training workshops offered by the Toronto Office of Partnerships. Led by
sponsorship specialist Brent Barootes of the Partnership Group, the workshop
in October discussed trends in municipal-style sponsorship, the development of
divisional strategies for prospect development, drafting proposals, as well as inventory
development and valuation of municipal assets. The goal is to enhance the City’s
reputation as an efficient, professional partner. That, in turn, will attract a greater
variety of partners and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
toronto.ca/top
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City’s women councillors lead the way
Toronto Mayor David Miller and all 10 women councillors have launched the second
annual Toronto Regional Champion Campaign in October to increase women’s
participation in local government. The Campaign teams up 16 young women with
the City’s women councillors for eight months in order to help women become more
familiar with the job of a municipal councillor and to provide them with hands-on
experience.
The campaign is a result of a nation-wide call by the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities to increase the number of women in elected office. Canadian
municipalities will require at least 2,000 more women in elected office in order to have
a minimum of 30 per cent representation on municipal councils for an effective voice.
toronto.ca/regional-champions/index.htm
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City puts the spotlight on Toronto’s most
photographed landmarks
The City has launched a new night-lighting initiative in the St. Lawrence Market
neighbourhood to celebrate Toronto’s pride in its heritage. Some of Toronto’s oldest
and most beautiful buildings, including St. Lawrence Market and St. Lawrence Hall
are camera-ready day and night. The lighting of architecturally-distinct buildings
in this neighbourhood is part of a larger heritage initiative for ‘Old Town’ Toronto.
As a valuable tool for heritage interpretation, night light has the additional benefit
of animating the public realm, improving the appearance of the streetscape, and
creating a sense of public safety. The lighting supports tourism by showcasing some
of Toronto’s most important heritage buildings all year round.
toronto.ca/heritage-preservation
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St. Lawrence Market launches new cooking school and event venue
St. Lawrence Market recently launched The Market Kitchen in the historic City Market,
which serves two purposes – a cooking school to promote food education and an
event venue with a unique atmosphere. The Kitchen is the perfect pairing with the
market. The open concept space overlooks the marketplace below, which strengthens
the connection with the market’s activities and provides visitors with greater access
to the market. Food consumed in the kitchen is purchased from the merchants, which
supports small businesses and encourages people to eat locally. The calendar of
events at the cooking school is available online.
www.stlawrencemarket.com
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City launches Design Competition to replace St. Lawrence Market’s North Building
The search is on to find the best design for a new, vibrant North Building in the iconic
St. Lawrence Market Complex with the launch of an international design competition.
As part of this redevelopment, the current North Building will be demolished and the
site transformed into a new four-storey, multi-purpose facility that will be a model for
sustainable design, energy efficiency and design excellence, and continue to host
the successful Saturday Farmers’ Market and Sunday Antique Market. Space for
court rooms and administrative offices for Toronto Court Services and a 250-space
underground parking garage will also be part of the new building. Short-listed teams
will be announced in February 2010 with the winning design unveiled in June 2010.
toronto.ca/stlawrence_market/design
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Toronto Drop-ins: Creating Health+
For thousands of homeless residents who rely on drop-in centres for what could be
their only meal of the day, every nutrient counts. Toronto Drop-ins: Creating Health+,
a City-led collaboration with community agencies and George Brown College, gets
healthier food to drop-ins and teaches volunteer chefs how to prepare healthy meals.
The ‘plate guide’ tool for chefs, and easy-to-use recipes simplify planning. After just
four months, more than 160,000 pounds of food went to 17 drop-in centres. The
results were: servings of milk tripled, vegetables and fruit doubled, and Vitamin
D content increased by 150 per cent. In addition, drop-in clients reported feeling
healthier and stronger.
toronto.ca/housing/news-itshowcase.htm
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After-School Recreation Program expanded, fees reduced for eligible families
The After-School Recreation Care (ARC) programs offered by Parks, Forestry and
Recreation provides quality care for up to 860 children 6 to 12 years of age in
27 priority neighbourhoods in Toronto. As the recent recipient of funding from Ontario’s
After-School initiative, program fees have been reduced from $6 per day to $2 per
day to increase accessibility. Programs are free for eligible families under the City’s
Welcome Policy. Programming is enhanced through new partnerships with Resiliency
Canada and CAMH/Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Two new programs are
opening in the Malvern Community as part of the expansion.
toronto.ca/parks/after-school-recreation.htm
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Pedestrians cross the street in any direction at Yonge
and Bloor
One of Canada’s most famous intersections now has a new look. The City of Toronto
added a pedestrian priority phase to the intersection of Yonge and Bloor Streets in
October, providing pedestrians with the opportunity to cross in any direction including
diagonally. The first pedestrian priority intersection (or ‘Barnes Dance’) in Toronto was
installed at Yonge and Dundas Streets in 2008.
The pedestrian priority phase has been implemented in a number of other cities and
has reduced conflict between pedestrians and vehicles by separating the flow of
traffic and the movement of pedestrians. The installation of a pedestrian priority phase
at Yonge and Bloor Streets is part of the City’s Sustainable Transportation initiative
that supports improvements and enhancements for pedestrians on city streets.
toronto.ca/transportation/walking/
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New online search tool for waste materials
Toronto’s Solid Waste Management Services has a new online search tool to help you
learn what to do with your waste materials. Which bin does it go in? Is it household
hazardous waste? Should I take it to a Drop-off Depot?
Despite the increased number of recyclable items, there are still some plastics and
metal items that cannot currently be recycled in Toronto. Clear plastic food containers
or plastic blister packs and propane cylinders are a definite “no” when it comes to
recycling. The City is pleased with the many enthusiastic recyclers but if you don’t
recycle properly, it contaminates the recycling stream, damages equipment and can
cause workplace injuries.
Top 10 Bin Sins: NO propane cylinders, clear plastic food containers, medical waste, tools & scrap metal, toys, clothes, plastic blister packs, small appliances, cassettes, CDs & DVDs, plastic pails with metal handles
toronto.ca/recycling
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Toronto 175 Anniversary Picture Postage Stamp
The City has unveiled its very own Canada Post Picture Postage Stamp to commemorate
the City’s 175th anniversary. Special thanks to Tourism Toronto for their financial
support in producing this stamp. Four thousand limited edition 175th Picture Postage
Stamps were available as a free keepsake for members of the public and avid stamp
collectors at the Canadian National Stamp Show at Cavalcade of Lights during
the opening festivities and at Toronto’s Historic Museums for their free Toronto 175
weekend on December 5 and 6. This stamp can be used in the same way as a regular
stamp and is valued at the current domestic rate, and can be used on any standard size
envelope (up to 30 grams) delivered anywhere in Canada.
The 175th anniversary Picture Postage Stamp can also be purchased online in full
keepsake sheets by simply downloading the 175th anniversary image from the City of
Toronto’s website and then visiting the Picture Postage website to create the stamp.
These stamps are printed to order only and are not available for purchase from
Canada Post retail counters or outlets.
toronto.ca/175/index.htm
www.picturepostage.ca
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Toronto Public Service making a difference for
United Way Toronto
The City of Toronto’s 2009 annual employee fundraising campaign ended on a high
note with a cheque for $1,265,000 being presented to United Way Toronto. This
donation will go towards United Way’s Community Fund to support a network of 200
social service agencies. During the current economic environment, core funding
is even more essential so that vulnerable people can benefit from the creation
of opportunities for youth, the building of strong neighbourhoods and help for
newcomers to get settled in Toronto.
The Toronto Public Service has raised over $1 million for eight years in a row – a true
testament that they do care about helping those who are less fortunate. The City is
one of the top 25 corporate donors supporting United Way Toronto’s charity drive.
www.uwgt.org/agency |
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Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery
Two Toronto firefighters have received the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery from
the Province in recognition of their heroic efforts following a powerful explosion during
the Secord Avenue apartment fire in July 2008. When their Captain went missing,
firefighters Jim Gale and Mike Maier continued searching for him despite nearby
flames, heat and black smoke. Finally, they located him on the ground and brought
him to safety. All three were transported by ambulance to hospital. Firefighters Gale
and Maier were undeterred by the extremely difficult conditions and are true public
heroes. We celebrate their outstanding commitment to their fellow firefighters and their
great courage and bravery.
toronto.ca/fire
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Toronto Fire Chief recognized by peer award
Toronto Fire Chief William Stewart has been named Full Time Fire Chief of the Year by
the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC). The award recognizes outstanding
contributions made to the betterment of the individual’s community and of the fire
services industry. Chief Stewart began his 37-year career with the fire service as an
operations firefighter, progressing through the ranks to assume the role of Fire Chief
in May 2003. He leads the largest fire service in Canada and the fifth largest in North
America, with 83 fire stations and over 3,100 personnel.
toronto.ca/fire
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Toronto’s new Poet Laureate
The City of Toronto’s third Poet Laureate Dionne Brands was appointed by City
Council in the fall to serve as the City’s literary ambassador and create a literary
legacy project. The three-year position of the Poet Laureate honours a Toronto poet
whose work displays excellence and has written on themes that are relevant to
Torontonians.
Dionne Brand is an internationally-acclaimed poet and novelist, has published
nine volumes of poetry, and is a winner and finalist of several awards including the
Governor General’s Award, Trillium Book Award, Griffin Poetry Prize, Pat Lowther
Award, the City’s own Toronto Book Award among others. Her poetry has been
translated into Italian and French and is published in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Italy
and Germany.
toronto.ca/culture/poet_laureate.htm
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Government Finance Officers Association’s newest President-Elect
In October 2009, Len Brittain, the City’s director of Corporate Finance, was elected
as president-elect of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the
United States and Canada. Brittain will serve on the GFOA’s Executive Board for one
year as president-elect. In June 2010, he will become the association’s president at
its annual conference. Brittain’s leadership will help the GFOA continuously raise the
bar for the government finance profession. Brittain has served on the GFOA Executive
Board since 2006. He is the former co-chair of the GFOA’s Committee on Canadian
Issues and the former co-chair of the committee’s Professional Development Task
Force. Under his leadership, the City of Toronto won the prestigious GFOA Award for
Excellence in Government Finance in 2006 for its Long-Term Fiscal Plan.
toronto.ca/release-gfoc-president
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City Council recognizes employee who received national economic development award
Mayor David Miller, on behalf of City Council, recognized City employee Carl Knipfel
at an awards presentation on October 27. In 2009, Knipfel received a President’s
Award from the Economic Developers Association of Canada and also received a
President’s Award from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario. The City Council
awards presentation acknowledged his exceptional contributions in supporting and
building the economic development profession in Canada. Carl is the Manager of
Marketing in the City’s Economic Development, Culture and Tourism division.
toronto.ca/business_resources
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Toronto Emergency Medical Services celebrates
program’s silver anniversary
It has been 25 years since the City launched the Toronto Emergency Medical
Services’ (EMS) Advanced Life Support program. Program pioneers celebrated this
silver anniversary at a gala dinner in October. Chief Bruce Farr addressed guests
and noted that 25 years ago he witnessed the dawn of a new era in the ambulance
industry. EMS is treating patients at the scene faster to save lives and then
transporting them directly to hospitals and specialized medical centres.
Toronto EMS is one of the most highly trained, best supplied and technologically supported
EMS systems in Canada. The Emergency Medical Dispatch and Paramedic
teams respond to more than 235,000 calls per year, employ more than 1,200 staff and
have a fleet of more than 85 vehicles serving over 2.6 million people in the City
of Toronto.
www.torontoems.ca
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Fort York National Historic Site Visitor Centre
Design Competition
Four Canadian-led architectural teams have submitted conceptual designs for a
new Visitor Centre at Fort York National Historic Site. The Visitor Centre is key to the
revitalization of the entire 43 acre (17 hectares) site, and is scheduled for completion
for the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812. The building of the Visitor
Centre will facilitate a much needed change in how Fort York is perceived as a public
resource. It will connect visitors to the content of the entire site as well as to the
surrounding neighbourhoods. The public were invited to attend and comment on these
designs in December at Toronto City Hall. A jury will select the winning design.
toronto.ca/fortyork
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Toronto wins worldwide breastfeeding challenge
Toronto placed first in the world for the most children breastfeeding at one time in the
2009 Breastfeeding Challenge. On October 3, mothers and babies at 298 sites across
Canada and throughout the world competed to set the record for the most babies
breastfeeding at one time. In Toronto, a total of 372 moms and 373 babies participated
to win the challenge. The event was part of World Breastfeeding Week in Canada
with this year’s theme: Breastfeeding saves lives. For breastfeeding information and
support, call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 or visit
toronto.ca/health
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Toronto Book Awards – celebrating 35 years
There was much to celebrate with 2009 marking the 35th anniversary of the Toronto
Book Awards and Toronto’s 175th anniversary. Hundreds of authors have told their
stories, thousands of books have been submitted, hundreds of authors recognized,
and 58 winners have received the prestigious award.
The awards program was established in 1974 by Toronto City Council to honour
authors of books of literary or artistic merit. The Toronto Book Awards program is
unique as the books have to be evocative of Toronto. The program continues to attract
emerging and established writers and engage readers to learn more about this city
through the eyes of these authors. The City of Toronto works in partnership with the
Toronto Public Library to present the Toronto Book Awards. Past winners include
Margaret Atwood, Timothy Findley, Joe Fiorito, Camilla Gibb, Katherine Govier,
Michael Ondaatje, Michael Redhill, the City’s new Poet Laureate Dionne Brand and
the 2009 winner Austin Clarke.
toronto.ca/book_awards
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WinterCity warming up the city
Toronto’s seventh annual WinterCity Festival presented by RBC celebrates culture,
creativity and cuisine from January 29 to February 11, 2010. A series of free stunning
spectacles will take place at Nathan Phillips Square, specially-created indoor
entertainment at Toronto’s cultural venues, and one-of-a-kind culinary events with
some of the city’s most revered chefs at restaurants. WinterCity is three festivals in
one: the WOW! Series at Nathan Phillips Square, the Warm Up! Series at Toronto’s
cultural venues, and the ever-popular restaurant promotion and culinary event –
Winterlicious. Enjoy spectacular open-air theatre, fire installations and themed skating
parties, experience unique offerings by some of Toronto’s most talented performers,
and savour the many mouth-watering culinary events. There’s truly something for
everyone!
toronto.ca/special_events
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Nuit Blanche
The 2009 edition of Toronto’s Scotiabank Nuit Blanche attracted nearly one million
people to the city’s streets in October. Survey results indicate that over 100,000
tourists visited Toronto to attend the event, helping to generate $18 million in local
economic impact – an increase of 24 per cent over 2008. Survey results also
indicated that audience members spent more time at the event and saw more
projects than in previous years. This positive trend can be attributed to the condensing
of projects and road closures which helped manage pedestrian flow and allowed
audiences to see more projects within a smaller area.
A community-driven and collaborative undertaking, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2009
brought together the exceptional talents of more than 500 artists and curators, 84
galleries, museums, cultural and educational institutions and neighbourhoods. The
success of the event also resulted from the efforts of 450 volunteers, 24 corporate
sponsors and media partners, and the nearly one million people who ventured out
for an all-night participatory celebration of contemporary art. The fourth edition of
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche returns to Toronto on Saturday, October 2, 2010.
www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca
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 Cavalcade of Lights spectacular
The 43rd annual Cavalcade of Lights presented by Scotiabank kicked
off in December with the lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree,
spectacular fireworks and live musical performances by Steven Page,
Matt Dusk, Keshia Chante, and Fritz Helder & the Phantoms, under the
music direction of Adrian Eccleston. The huge crowd filled Nathan Phillips
Square, marvelling at the 300,000 LED lighting display designed by Brian
Gluckstein, and the massive Christmas tree adorned with ornaments
donated by The Bay. The fun included concerts by Jully Black, State of
Shock and Faber Drive, and of course, more incredible fireworks and the
Pyro Guy scaling City Hall towers and ziplining from one to the other with
fireworks strapped to his back!
www.toronto.ca/cavalcadeoflights
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