Torontonians are out and about this sunny but cool Canada Day, enjoying events around the city. But, officials are warning that some of those celebrations will involve road closures.
Streets surrounding Queen's Park will be closed until 7 p.m. Thursday, for various festivities to mark Canada's 143rd birthday.
Some streets in East York are also closed this morning for the East York Canada Day Parade, where NDP leader Jack Layton is in attendance.
Other events today include the Tall Ships Festival at Harbourfront, and the Jazz Festival at Nathan's Phillips Square. Celebrations will also be held at Black Creek Pioneer Village. The 44th annual CHIN International Picnic begins today at Exhibition Place, and will run through Sunday, July 4.
Later this evening, at Mel Lastman Square in North York, Canadian Olympic speed-skating gold medalists Charles and Francois Hamelin, team Canada women's hockey player and gold medalist Vicky Sunohara as well as speed skater and 2010 Olympic medalist Kristina Groves will be on hand around 5 p.m. to show off their medals.
When the skies finally begin to turn dark this evening, the night sky will be filled with fireworks displays -- a Canada Day staple denied from Torontonians last year because of the civic strike. Fireworks will be held at the following parks:
* Brampton's Chinguacousy Park
* Canada's Wonderland
* Centennial Park in Etobicoke
* Downsview Park
* Green Park in Richmond Hill
* Kinsmen Park in Pickering
* Milne Park in Markham
* • Mississauga Civic Centre
* • Waterfront Heritage Park, Bronte, Oakville
Many stores and government offices will be closed including:
* banks
* Canada Post
* most grocery stores
* LCBO and The Beer Store
* Libraries
The TTC will operate on a holiday schedule while GO Transit will run on a Saturday schedule.
The following Toronto-area malls and tourist attractions will remain open:
* Art Gallery of Ontario
* Distillery District
* Eaton Centre
* The Pacific Mall
* Vaughan Mills
* Royal Ontario Museum
* Ontario Science Centre
Garbage collection in the city continues as scheduled.
Out on the roads, OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino says police will be keeping a close eye on Canada Day revellers heading to the cottage or going camping. Fantino says police will focus on aggressive drivers, street racers, seatbelt violations, and impaired driving.
The marine unit will also be patrolling the waterways.
Last Canada Day Long Weekend, there were eight deaths in Ontario in areas policed by the OPP.
