Today, Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto will help Torontonians mark Canada’s 153rd birthday virtually on Wednesday, July 1 through a livestream show, Canada Day 2020. The show will engage local residents, connect diverse communities and honour COVID-19 frontline workers.
Canada Day 2020 has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. Throughout the day, the show will offer a mixture of live and pre-recorded performances streamed on YouTube.
Performers will include Haviah Mighty, Gordon Lightfoot, Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall, Choir! Choir! Choir!, Ali Hassan, Cris Derksen, The Next Generation Leahy and more. Program details are available at http://www.toronto.ca/canadaday. Information on more than 50 participating artists will be available June 24.
Canada Day 2020 will feature three livestreamed segments:
RespectTO, created in partnership with MAKERS, will honour COVID-19 frontline workers. Residents are invited to nominate their everyday hero at RespectTO.ca. Nominated names will be broadcast throughout the show.
The City worked in partnership with many community and cultural organizations to create this year’s virtual show. Canada Day 2020 is co-produced by Harbourfront Centre, with additional support from programming partner TO Live.
The City of Toronto is committed to providing an accessible event. Closed captioning will be available on all Canada Day 2020 streaming and broadcast services.
The CN Tower is also planning a 15-minute light show that will be live-streamed at cntower.ca and set to the music of a diverse group of Canadian artists.
Based on the recommendations of the Medical Officer of Health, to stop the spread of COVID-19, the City is joining other municipalities across Canada in hosting a national virtual Canada Day. All in-person Canada Day events have been cancelled.
The Mayor encouraged Toronto residents to show their spirit and enthusiasm for the upcoming celebrations and for our great country by decorating their porches, front doors, balconies or windows.
Downloadable Celebration Kits offering interactive, creative and educational activities to enjoy at home are available at toronto.ca/canadaday.
Quotes:
“It is more important than ever to unify our community and I am pleased Canada 2020 will bring Torontonians together virtually to enjoy music, entertainment and honour our frontline workers. I encourage everyone to participate in our virtual Canada Day and connect as a city. Yes, this Canada Day is unlike any other but it is no reason not to celebrate and show our Canadian pride.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Canada Day is a time when communities across Canada come together to express our national pride. This Canada Day, we are celebrating differently. Although we cannot be together in person, we are still united virtually. I am delighted that our government is supporting the City of Toronto’s virtual Canada Day festivities. The planned activities will allow Canadians to commemorate our history and enjoy our many talented artists, while showcasing to the world what it means to be Canadian in this great free, democratic, bilingual and multicultural country.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at facebook.com/cityofto.