News Release
June 17, 2019

Mayor Tory awards the Key to the City to the 2019 NBA Championship Toronto Raptors and unveils Raptors Way
 
Mayor John Tory presented the Key to the City today to the Toronto Raptors to honour the entire team for their 2019 season that culminated with winning the 2019 NBA Championship.
 
The Mayor presented the team with the Key to the City in Nathan Phillips Square as part of the Raptors Championship rally. Kawhi Leonard – the NBA Finals MVP – accepted the key on behalf of the entire Raptors organization.
 
To further recognize the Raptors’ first championship win, the Mayor also announced that Bremner Boulevard outside the Scotiabank Arena – from York St. to Lake Shore Blvd. W. – will receive a ceremonial street dedication as Raptors Way. The Mayor will be bringing a motion to City Council this week to proceed with the street dedication.
 
During his first term in office, Mayor Tory presented Keys to the City to His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, Paul Beeston, Rush, Aubrey Graham (Drake), Zanana Akande, Susan Gapka, Wilmot and Judy Matthews, Pat Moore, Peter Oundjian, and Fran Sonshine.
 
The Mayor awards the Key to the City to inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds who embody the spirit and potential of Toronto and have contributed significantly to civic life. The Key to the City represents the highest honour that the City can confer on an individual or a group.
 
Additional information on the Key to the City of Toronto is available at https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/tributes/key-to-the-city/.

Quote
“We are so proud of our Toronto Raptors and their championship win. Presenting the entire organization with the City’s highest honour is our way of saying thank you on behalf of all Toronto residents. This historic playoff run galvanized and united not only Toronto, but all of Canada, bringing together fans from coast to coast to coast. The victory itself and the events surrounding it will inspire Torontonians, especially young people, for years to come.”
– Mayor John Tory

Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of more than 2.9 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.
 
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Brad Ross
Strategic Communications
416-919-6500
Don Peat
Office of the Mayor
647-459-2387