City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following Media Release:
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April 25, 2013
Battle of York bicentennial day events on April 27 -
event details, road closures and TTC service changes
On Saturday, April 27, the City of Toronto and the
Canadian Armed Forces will present a number of free downtown events to
commemorate a defining day in the history of Canada and Toronto - the 200th
anniversary of the Battle of York. Event highlights/details below:
Starting at 9 a.m. at Queen's Park, the Canadian Armed
Forces' 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment will present a dynamic
capability demonstration. It will include, an urban patrol, a parachute
demonstration (weather dependent) and rappelling.
At 10 a.m. in front of the Ontario Legislative Building
at Queen's Park, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, will
present a new Regimental Colour to the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian
Regiment.
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. a parade of more than 1,500
sailors and soldiers from the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army will
march from Queen’s Park to Fort York National Historic Site. This parade of
marching bands, sailors and soldiers in ceremonial uniforms and Regimental Colours
will be one of the largest military parades ever organized in Toronto.
At 1:30 p.m., a commemorative ceremony will be held
inside the walls of Fort York National Historic Site. Among the participants
will be re-enactment units in War of 1812 uniforms, First Nations whose
ancestors fought in the battle and an honour guard of sailors and soldiers of
the Canadian Armed Forces who serve in Toronto today.
The War of 1812 was a defining chapter in the story of
Canada and Toronto. For more information about the City's bicentennial program
please visit:
http://www.toronto.ca/1812.
Media can access a detailed Battle of York bicentennial
backgrounder at:
Additional commemorative events will be held throughout
the day at multiple downtown Toronto locations. For more information please
visit:
http://www.toronto.ca/1812. The
public can also interact with the event via Twitter @FortYork and at
#BattleofYork.
Media access to the above events:
All events can be accessed by media with the exception of
the morning Queen's Park ceremonies, which will require prior accreditation
with the Canadian Armed Forces.
Media must register with Captain Jon O'Connor by email at
jon.oconnor@forces.gc.ca. Attending
Media must present proper photo ID and media affiliation at time of check in.
General questions about media access to all other Battle
of York day commemoration events can be directed to City of Toronto
Communications Coordinator Shane Gerard.
Road Closures - Saturday, April 27:
-Queen's Park Crescent (Bloor Street to College Street) -
Closed 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
-University Avenue (College Street to Richmond Street) -
Closed 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Note: East-West cross streets will continue to flow
through gaps in the parade.
-Richmond Street (University Avenue to Portland Street) -
Closed 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Note: North-South cross streets will continue to flow
through gaps in the parade.
-Portland Street (Richmond Street to Front Street) -
Closed 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Note: On-street parking is restricted from April 27 at 12
a.m. until the parade has passed.
-Front Street (Portland Street to Bathurst Street) -
Closed noon to 1 p.m.
Note: On-street parking is restricted from April 27 at 12
a.m. until the parade has passed.
-Bathurst Street (Front Street to Fort York Boulevard) -
Closed noon to 1 p.m.
-Fort York Boulevard (Bathurst Street to Fleet Street) -
Closed noon to 2 p.m.
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) service changes:
Between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on April 27, the 94
Wellesley bus, and the 501 Queen, 504 King, 505 Dundas, 506 Carlton, 510
Spadina, and 511 Bathurst streetcars will experience minor delays due to the
parade.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest
government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people.
Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence,
creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost
of government and building a transportation city. For information on
non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and
visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Media contacts:
Shane Gerard, Communications Coordinator, 647-881-9854,
sgerard@toronto.ca Captain Indira
Thackorie, Public Affairs Officer, Land Force Centre Area Headquarters,
416-633-6200 (ext 5509) and 647-920-9231,
indira.thackorie@forces.gc.ca
