Happy Birthday Toronto!
The country’s largest city and capital of Ontario turns 180 years old today.
Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly and a few councillors, including mayoral candidate Karen Stintz gathered in the rotunda at city hall to sing happy birthday and celebrate with cake.
The chocolate cake with vanilla icing was cut and given out to the 50 or so city staff, and members of the public and media gathered for the event.
“We’ve come a long way,” Kelly told the crowd before cutting the cake. “The early settlers of our city would be proud."
“I keep telling people the older the city gets, the younger we look,” Kelly said before Coun. Janet Davis shouted out “just like you!”
“We live in one of the best cities in the world,” Kelly told CP24. “This city is an exciting growing city. It gives people opportunities to succeed, that’s why they come here from all over the world.
Today also marks the inaugural “City of Toronto Day.” Councillors Paul Ainslie and Mike Layton moved a motion in February to officially recognize March 6 as Toronto’s own day.
The celebration will continue Thursday night with a semi-formal cocktail affair at the John Street Roundhouse. The night will feature live music, photography displays and a variety of dramatic performances.
The City of Toronto was formed in 1834, evolving from Town of York to meet the needs of the growing community for public services.
