The Canadian Government has chosen Toronto as the location of the G20 Summit on Saturday, June 26th and Sunday, June 27th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Never before have two summits been held on the same weekend and that said, this will present unique challenges to those planning an event for that weekend.
Making preparations to ensure that your wedding or event will not be affected is a must-do. This is especially true for those weddings and events happening in the downtown core of Toronto. Below is some updated information on the summit and the areas affected so that you can make arrangements long before your event date.
WALK THIS WAY...OR MAYBE NOT
The vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will be controlled as it’s considered a Security Zone. Fencing will be erected around the area and the public should be able to move freely in that area until the evening of Friday, June 25 after which anyone who lives and works in this area will have a Registration Card for quick and easy access through security checkpoints. Those who do not have a Registration Card/live/work in that area but require access to this area will have to present a piece of photo ID that clearly shows the specific purpose as to why they need access and their exact destination.
WHEN THE STREETS WILL SEEM LIKE PARKING LOTS
Roadways within the area – bordered by King Street, Yonge Street, Queens Quay and Spadina Avenue – will have closures or restrictions. Anyone living, working or having a specific reason for being in this area won’t be denied access but it will take some time to get through…in other words, be sure to pack a lot of patience!
During the weekend of the Summit, the police obviously anticipate major traffic disruption in all areas especially the 400-series highways, the Gardiner Expressway, the QEW and Lakeshore Boulevard and there may be some restrictions placed on Highway 427 and the Gardiner Expressway to accommodate motorcades and the York, Bay and Yonge Street exits on the eastbound Gardiner Expressway will be closed on Sunday June 27th.
G20-TIP: Allot for extra time for travel to and from your event (if in the downtown core allot for an extra hour of travel time at minimum and for those outside the downtown core allot for an extra 40 minutes of travel time). Also, map out alternative routes to all your destinations as a back-up plan! This includes allotting extra time for vendor deliveries and services.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
Thinking of taking public transit instead? Or having guests arriving by Via Rail?
The TTC will operate regular service during the G20 Summit. There are no planned restrictions to the subway and only a few surface routes will be affected that weekend. The 6 Bay ,72A Pape will be on diversion and the 97B Yonge and 503 streetcar routes will be on diversion as well. The 509 and 510 streetcars will not be stopping at Queens Quay station.
Union Station will be open but from the evening of Friday, June 25 to Sunday, June 27th exits to Front Street will not be available. Travelers will have to use the east or west side exits at Union Station and the Blue Route between Union Station and the Air Canada Centre will be open as well. During this weekend, since no vehicle traffic will be permitted on Front Street, west of Bay Street , a temporary “Kiss and Ride” and “Taxi Stand” will be located on Front Street EAST of Bay Street.
Via Rail will operate its regular train schedule for the period of Saturday, June 2t to Sunday, June 27 however they advise that those planning to travel to or from Toronto during this period should expect delays.
G20 -TIP: Register for TTC E-Alerts on www.ttc.ca to be kept in the loop of any further changes. Keep an eye on www.viarail.ca and www.gotransit.com for updates as well. If it is possible for guests to reach your event by TTC, send a note to them explaining the transportation challenges and encourage this means of travel with specific subway directions coming from the East, West and North.
PARKING
From Friday, June 25 to Sunday, June 27, parking in the downtown area – especially the area surrounded by Queen Street, Yonge Street, Lakeshore Boulevard and Spadina Avenue – will be a massive pain in the neck. There will be extremely limited to no parking available on the majority of the streets in the area. Also, there will be no parking on streets that have been closed to accommodate parades or protests.
Those already inconvenient No Parking, No Standing and No Stopping signs on the streets of Toronto will be strictly enforced as well, resulting in vehicles being tagged and/or towed.
G20-TIP: inform those vendors making deliveries for your event of the parking restrictions in your area! Have a discussion with your venue as to alternative means of parking/unloading. Perhaps they can arrange for a staff member to act as a valet or stand by each vendor's vehicle while they unload in the event that parking enforcement arrives and the vehicle must be moved). Be sure to inform guests of the inaccessibility to parking and encourage them to take public transit!
PROTESTS
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of thought, belief, opinion, expression and peaceful assembly.
In other words, expect protests during the weekend of the Summit.
Be aware that North Queen’s Park has been assigned as the Designated “Speech Area” which will be equipped with audio-visual equipment which will televise any activity at the Park to the delegates at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Hopefully people will take advantage of this area and express themselves in a peaceful way rather than popping up in the most inconvenient of locations. What does that mean for you? Expect traffic delays or interference in and around Queen’s Park.
FERRY
The Integrated Security Unit for the G20 Summit will attempt to avoid impact on the day-to-day operations of the ferry and those living or working on the Toronto Islands. But be aware that from the morning of Friday, June 25th until Monday, June 28th, the Onigara Ferry (the ferry that runs specifically to Ward Island) will not be in operation and so anyone travelling on this Ferry will be joining the public on the passenger ferries.
G20-TIP: To get more information about how the G20 will affect your big day including proposed security, safety plans, road restrictions and more, visit these nifty little sites:
AND BEST OF LUCK!!!
