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CUPE Local 79 President Tim Maguire took the stage alongside Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, at the historic Winter Garden Theatre yesterday. Together they launched the local’s “Chill With Will” summer campaign, which celebrates Toronto’s history and includes a cast of characters from the city’s past and present.
“With Toronto turning 179 this summer, CUPE Local 79 decided to take a look back at our history,” said Maguire. “In looking into Mayor Mackenzie it was evident that he was a character and certainly controversial at times. However, the one thing that resonated most strongly regarding his history was a true commitment to public service, which is, of course, the foundation of what we do today.”
Yesterday saw classic, old-time newsboys coming to life in downtown Toronto, handing out copies of the Toronto Advocate and spreading news of Mayor Mackenzie’s return to modern-day Toronto. The Mayor and his wife, Isabel, were seen strolling Nathan Phillips Square and marvelling at the breadth of services this great city has to offer. Mayor Mackenzie rode in one of the sponsored Eco Cabs, which are available in downtown Toronto to take people to their next destination.
Mayor Mackenzie, CUPE Local 79 and friends will take their celebration to several city festivals this summer, including:
- Dragon Boat: June 22-23
- Pride Flag Raising: June 24
- Pride Parade: June 30
- Festival of South Asia: July 6-7
- Carnival Parade: August 3
- Taste of the Danforth: August 9-11
CUPE Local 79 represents about 20,000 City of Toronto employees working in divisions including public health, city inspectors, homeless hostels, transportation, child care centres, employment and social services, recreation programs, and long-term care homes.
