The City of Toronto decided not to proceed with Canada Day programming at Nathan Phillips Square (NPS) this year.

“It was not an easy decision,” said the City of Toronto in a Tuesday email to volunteers.

“The funds secured for Canada Day at NPS were not adequate to the standard of program the event and the participants deserve.”

While federal funding for previous years was sufficient to support program activities, the email said location changes, communications priorities, escalating costs, and constraints in the City of Toronto’s budget required a conservative approach to planning. It said the Cultural Events team intends to use time and resources this year to support consultation and engagement activities for a long-term Canada Day plan.