Toronto was totally confused about the 96-gun salute for Queen Elizabeth today
Did you hear a bunch of really loud, extremely scary blasts in Toronto this afternoon? Or maybe saw plumes of smoke that looked like they were from a California wildfire?
If so, you had 100 per cent witnessed the ceremonial gun salute for Queen Elizabeth II at Queen's Park — an event which many were unaware would take place on Tuesday, as opposed to Monday, when Toronto staged a whole host of 96-themed displays to honour Her Majesty.
Mayor John Tory & The City of Toronto stood for a moment of silence at the Peace Garden in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.
— blogTO (@blogTO) September 19, 2022
The Old City Hall Clocktower will ring once every minute, 96 times for each year of the Queen’s life.
🎥: @KrisReports #QueenElizabethII #LongLiveTheQueen pic.twitter.com/9XYGutamj4
The salute was one of many practices the city participated in to honour the passing of the monarch, who was officially buried at King George VI Memorial Chapel in England on Tuesday.
But many people in Toronto were particularly confused about Tuesday's smoky event, especially since Monday was Canada's official Day of Mourning and almost all of the planned activities took place then.
There will be a 96-gun salute for the Queen at Queen’s Park Tuesday afternoon at 2:44 pm by 7 Toronto Regiment of the Royal Cdn Artillery. One round for every year of her life. ##onpoli
— Rob Ferguson (@robferguson1) September 19, 2022
The first wave of confusion came in around 2 p.m., when the first of 96 cannon shots were fired into the air over Canada's largest city.
These were led by the 7th Toronto Regiment.
A 96-gun salute for Queen Elizabeth II is taking place at Queen's Park in downtown Toronto. pic.twitter.com/K2fgT1HJ9Z
— Isaac Callan (@isaaccallan) September 20, 2022
Obviously, the shots spooked many city dwellers, who reported instances of shaking scenes and clouds of smoke.
Anyone hearing what sounds like explosions downtown? I am at Queen’s Park #toronto @CP24 @blogTO
— Adam Tarzwell (@ATarzwell01) September 20, 2022
The 96 shots were to mark each year Her Majesty lived. Premier Doug Ford and Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswel were in attendance.
A 96-gun salute was performed by the 7th Toronto Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery this afternoon in Queen’s Park to mark each year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s life. @7thTorRegtRCA pic.twitter.com/vLNci92k5N
— Elizabeth Dowdeswell (@LGLizDowdeswell) September 20, 2022
Some were quick to express annoyance with the firing, as it occurred mid-day in the downtown core, where thousands of people were trying to get some work done.
#gunsalute #Ford #Canada #QueenElizabethII So Ford the only premier who said NO to having yesterday off to mourn decides to do a Gun salute the next day while everyone is working, in heavily populated downtown Toronto,shaking buildings and scaring animals. #seriously #Toronto
— mamaluce (@mamaluce44) September 20, 2022
Thankfully, Wednesday has no scheduled Queen-mourning activities, meaning the city will hopeful stop with affairs like the 96 bell tolls at City Hall.
All TTC vehicles paused for 96 seconds. pic.twitter.com/PBiZM9k0Rm
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) September 19, 2022
Or the stopping of all TTC vehicles for 96 seconds.
