Toronto cops increase presence for Victoria Day weekend at Ashbridges Bay

Back in May 2022, Toronto Police had to deal with people shooting fireworks at each other and at officers

Published May 15, 2026  •  Last updated 30 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Toronto Police say the public will notice an increased police presence on Sunday and Monday of the Victoria Day long weekend. Photo by TPS

Anyone headed down to Toronto’s waterfront over the Victoria Day long weekend — including Monday night’s fireworks display — can expect an increased police presence.

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Toronto Police are making sure there won’t be a repeat of the 2022 May 2-4 weekend, when 19 people including ten minors were arrested after stabbings, a shooting, and robberies, and seven police officers were injured.

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Supt. Dave Correa said Friday that with a large crowd of 10,000 people anticipated, the pubic can expect to see the Mounted Unit, as well as officers patrolling on foot, ATVs, and bikes, in the Ashbridges Bay area on Sunday and Monday.

He said the main issues for police in the past have been crowd volume, alcohol-related incidents, and people bringing their own fireworks — which is not allowed.

“Fireworks does happen but in the last few years we haven’t seen the same issues that we had (with) a trend (four) years ago,” Correa said.

“So we’re hoping the trend stays the way it is. I was there in 2022, I was here on the ground. I will tell you we had a strong plan for that particular day but the volume was just so significant that it overtook even the existing plans we had in place.”

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However, he said, police learned from that and “did some enhancements and we redeployed our officers from non-critical areas so we could flood this area with police officers.”

Police more proactive about personal fireworks

Correa reminded people that bonfires and personal fireworks are prohibited in city parks and on beaches and could result in seizures and fines. Alcohol is also not permitted at Ashbridges Bay.

When it comes to the fireworks issue, he said police are much more proactive than previously.

“When individuals are showing up with the fireworks in their backpacks or sticking out of their pockets, we’re having immediate engagement with those individuals and dealing with it right at the source. Our officers, they’ve also got some heightened training in terms of the bylaws surrounding fireworks and alcohol enforcement,” he added, “so I feel like those areas, we’re going to be in a much stronger place.”

As for the chaos of 2022, he said, “I think in 2022, it was a trend where people were engaged in like fireworks wars or battles and I think that trend has somewhat dissipated.”

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What to know before you go

The Ashbridges Bay Victoria Day Fireworks are taking place on Monday at 10 p.m. and will last approximately 14 minutes and can be seen on the boardwalk from Emdaabiimok Ave. (formerly Lower Coxwell Ave.) to Victoria Park Ave.

On Monday, road closures begin at 9 p.m. and will include Emdaabiimok Ave. from Lake Shore Blvd. E. to Eastern Ave., and Lake Shore Blvd. E. from Leslie St. to Queen St. E.

Correa said parking enforcement will be increased over the long weekend and parking will also be restricted, so he advised people to take public transit, if possible. Additional TTC buses will be added to the 22A Coxwell, 64 Main, and 92A Woodbine routes. The TTC’s Line 6 will be out of service and running buses over the weekend.

He also noted Fire Services, EMS personnel, and city bylaw officers will be on scene as well with the Electric Island Festival taking place on Saturday and Sunday in Woodbine Beach Park.

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