anti mask toronto

Toronto has had enough with anti-mask protesters as COVID numbers rise

With COVID-19 cases on the rise, Toronto is getting fed up with anti-maskers following a protest on Saturday.

About a hundred demonstrators gathered at Yonge and Dundas Square before walking toward Bay and Bloor Streets and then back to the square.

Mayor John Tory tweeted that people are always free to protest in a democracy “but the people organizing these protests are trying to spread ridiculous and inaccurate information” which could put people’s lives at risk.

“I trust our public health officials, and I trust the people of Toronto will make the right choice between advice offered by our best medical experts as opposed to baseless propaganda put forward by an eccentric collection of protesters,” he said in a tweet.

Videos posted online showed people walking north on Yonge St. and in the downtown core holding posters against lockdown enforcements and wearing masks.

People took to Twitter to criticize the lack of decorum and the risk the protests pose to others.

Police said everyone has the lawful right to peacefully protest and officers were on scene for the safety of everyone.

Wearing masks was made mandatory inside all indoor public places on July 7. People refusing to wear them have since protested in stores, transit stations, on buses and other public spaces.

On Sept. 28, Ontario reported 700 cases of COVID-19, the highest record of cases since the previously recorded 640. The number of cases in Ontario currently exceeds 50,000.

Lead photo by

Toronto Police Service


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

An airport near Toronto is closing down for good to make way for something else

Toronto just broke an 85-year weather record and it's not hard to guess which one

Police hunting for armed man who threatened to shoot Toronto politicians

The risk of forest fires in Toronto is currently considered extreme amid Ontario blazes

CN Tower lit up in Pride colours the moment Anthony Bass took the mound in Toronto

2 TTC stations will be shutting down for this entire weekend

Toronto placed under air quality statement warning of high risk to health

An Ontario university was just ranked one of the best in the world and it isn't U of T