After the recent weather events that wreaked havoc on the city’s public and private spaces, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford said it is even more important that people pitch in for this year’s annual spring cleanup event.

During the launch of the Clean Toronto Together campaign at city hall on Friday, Ford urged community members to participate in the corporate, school and community clean-up events later this month.

“We actively encourage participants to help with any ice storm debris cleanup and learn more about caring for our damaged trees,” Ford said.

“We will also continue to focus on greater recycling, reporting and removal of unwanted graffiti and putting a stop to cigarette butt litter.”

Ford said during last year’s cleanup, participants collected 6,000 tonnes of litter and removed over 6,500 sq. metres of graffiti. He said the cleanup also resulted in the removal of 7,000 illegal posters.

The corporate and school cleanup will take place on April 25 and the community cleanup is scheduled for April 26 and April 27.

“Working together will keep Toronto the cleanest city in the world,” Ford said.

CP24 is the Clean Toronto Together campaign’s exclusive broadcast sponsor.