For 50 years the Toronto Flag has flown at Nathan Phillips Square in front of City Hall, and today Rene DeSantis is on hand with Mayor Chow, Deputy Mayor Mike Colle and others to celebrate this milestone anniversary.
Toronto’s official flag turned 50 this month, and designer Rene DeSantis says he feels both grateful and thankful to see the iconic symbol still flying high today.
Source: nowtoronto.com
The end of 2020 was certainly a time of turmoil and reflection worldwide and here at home in Toronto. The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that Torontonians thrive together and that they come together in support of each other and to celebrate their neighbourhoods. The sense of city pride and the need to feel connected was necessary, now more than ever. The Toronto Flag team offered an ad in the Toronto Life magazine, featuring a DIY flag that could be posted in windows, pasted on notebooks, or crafted into a flag to wave. This small gesture to share the pride, unite and encourage a city socially distanced.
On the morning of July 14, 2020, Rene DeSantis, Toronto Flag creator, spoke with George Lagogianes of CP24 Breakfast. Mr. DeSantis shared the new “Feel The Love” Toronto music video, explained the origins of the Toronto Flag, and he and Mr. Lagogianes discussed what the city of Toronto means to them. Haven’t seen the “Feel The Love” Toronto music video yet? Check it out below!
This past Saturday morning, on June 6th, Mayor John Tory, joined by a member of the Queen’s Own Rifles, raised the Toronto Flag that flew at Juno Beach to commemorate and proclaim D-Day in Toronto.
During Saturday’s early morning ceremony in front of Toronto’s City Hall, Mayor John Tory honoured the 14,000 Canadians who stormed Juno Beach in Normandy.
“Their courage and their determination led to some successes in those early morning hours but that success came at a huge price,” said Tory, noting that 359 Canadian soldiers lost their lives on D-Day, including 50 from Toronto.
Marking the 75th year since the Normandy invasions by allied forces, the City sent a Toronto Flag to the Juno Beach Centre in France, which flew on Juno Beach on April 9, 2019, Vimy Ridge Day, and was subsequently returned to City Hall.
The flag was then raised on the Podium Roof courtesy flagpole on Nathan Phillips Square on June 6, 2019 as the City of Toronto commemorated D-Day. The Toronto Flag will fly each year on June 6 at Toronto City Hall. It will also fly on Remembrance Day and on other occasions.
Learn more about how Canadians are urged to heed lessons of war in ceremonies marking D-Day anniversary at: https://www.cp24.com/news/canadians-urged-to-heed-lessons-of-war-in-ceremonies-marking-d-day-anniversary-1.4454492
Photos courtesy of Toronto.ca
On the eve of Toronto’s 186th anniversary, Councillor Mike Colle donned his limited-edition Toronto Flag Scarf.
Rene DeSantis was thrilled to meet with Toronto Ambassador, Supendra, to share their love of Toronto, as well as stories about how they are promoting the city and the Toronto Flag.
Toronto City Manager Chris Murray and Rene DeSantis discuss planned initiatives for the city at a Transit Alliance Event held at the National Club.
In January 2020, city council passed a motion to look at how to better incorporate the flag into city events and marketing. The CBC’s City Hall reporter Lauren Pelley sat down with the man who designed the Toronto flag, Rene DeSantis, to talk about the flag’s past – and exciting future. Read the full story here at cbc.ca.
Former Toronto Mayor Art Eggleton and Rene DeSantis discuss the Toronto Flag Initiative.