Heat and storms complicate holiday plans
Canada Day preparations are facing weather-related disruptions across the country, with extreme heat, wildfire risk, flooding and severe storms forcing several communities to adjust or cancel traditional events.
Fireworks, outdoor gatherings and parades have become harder to manage as municipalities respond to public safety risks created by high temperatures, dry conditions and heavy rainfall.
Heat warnings cover much of Ontario
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued heat warnings Monday for large parts of southwestern Ontario and eastern Ontario, with alerts stretching north to Hearst and Cochrane.
Temperatures in parts of southwestern Ontario could reach 37 C on Tuesday, while humidex values are expected to sit in the low to mid 40s.
The extreme heat is forecast to continue through the week, with temperatures expected to fall below 30 C over the weekend or next Monday.
Toronto keeps events but adds cooling support
The City of Toronto said its Canada Day celebrations will continue as planned, but it has activated its heat relief strategy.
Officials are urging people attending events to take precautions, stay hydrated and use cooling spaces when needed.
Four additional mobile water trailers will be placed at Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square, East York Civic Centre and Barbara Hall Park. The city also has more than 500 cooling spaces available.
Fireworks cancelled in some communities
North of Toronto, some fireworks displays have been cancelled because of the increased risk of wildfires.
“Fireworks may seem harmless, but they can cause serious injuries, fires, and significant property damage when used improperly,” Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, said in a media release.
The association said more than 700 fire departments across Canada respond each year to at least one incident involving fireworks misuse. It warned that extreme heat and dry conditions increase the fire risk.
Greater Madawaska moves events indoors
The Township of Greater Madawaska, located south of Algonquin Provincial Park, has a Level 2 fire ban in effect. The measure suspends burn permits and has also forced the cancellation of municipal fireworks.
“The health and safety of our residents, visitors, volunteers, and staff is always our highest priority,” the township wrote on social media. “With the current weather conditions creating an increased risk of heat-related illness and wildfire, we feel this is the most responsible decision.”
All other Canada Day activities in the township will be moved indoors.
Sudbury watches for severe weather
The City of Sudbury said it will monitor conditions and may delay or stop activities if weather becomes unsafe.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Sudbury on Tuesday, with possible wind gusts of up to 110 km/h, golf ball-sized hail, more than 50 mm of rain and a risk of tornadoes.
Unsettled weather is expected to continue into Wednesday.
Flooding cancels Montreal-area parade
In Montreal, the Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough cancelled its Canada Day Parade after severe flooding affected the area.
The borough received an estimated 150 to 170 mm of rain in about two hours on June 20. More than 300 homes were affected, and officials said cleanup could take at least another two weeks.
Evening festivities, including fireworks, are still expected to proceed.
Prairie storms force postponements
Storms have also disrupted celebrations in the Prairie provinces.
The Town of Neepawa in Manitoba, about two hours west of Winnipeg, postponed its Canada Day events after a storm moved through southern and western Manitoba on Monday night.
The storm left more than 14,000 customers without power. Parts of Manitoba recorded more than 100 mm of rain, with wind gusts between 80 km/h and 100 km/h.
Saskatchewan and Alberta face flood risks
In Saskatchewan, excess flooding led to the cancellation of fireworks at several provincial parks.
Flood watches and warnings remain in place across many parts of Alberta after a storm system crossed the province Sunday and Monday.
Parts of Calgary recorded accumulations of up to 150 mm, putting pressure on local waterways. Edmonton has also experienced repeated heavy rainfall throughout June.
Some Alberta towns rethink celebrations
The Town of Tofield, located less than an hour from Edmonton, announced last week that it would cancel Canada Day celebrations while dealing with cleanup and preparing for the possibility of more rain.
At least two other towns between Edmonton and Calgary said they were considering moving celebrations indoors.
Edmonton officials said a special weather statement is in effect for heavy rainfall in the coming days, but the forecast is not expected to affect Canada Day programming.
Edmonton limits river access for fireworks
Edmonton said fireworks could be affected only by strong winds above 40 km/h, lightning, extreme heat or a fire ban.
Boat launches along the North Saskatchewan River are closed, and the city said viewing fireworks from the river or near riverbanks is not permitted.