The City of Toronto has cancelled its viewing parties for Thursday's World Cup games due to an "extreme heat forecast and the demand on resources to ensure the safety of all." The decision was announced on social media late Wednesday night, citing concerns about the health and well-being of attendees.
Environment Canada has forecast a high of 35C in Toronto for Thursday, but temperatures are expected to cool down by evening, reaching around 31C when the Portugal-Croatia match kicks off at 7 p.m. at Toronto Stadium. Despite the cancellation of viewing parties at Nathan Phillips Square, fans can still expect to watch the games at Fan Fest and other locations throughout the city.
FIFA, the tournament organizer, has stated that it "continues to monitor conditions in real time" and is prepared to implement established contingency protocols in case of extreme weather events. The organization has also highlighted its heat management protocols, which include hydration breaks and work-rest cycles for staff and volunteers, as well as collaboration with expert doctors, meteorologists, and emergency management authorities.
Attendees at Thursday's game at Toronto Stadium are allowed to bring a water bottle no larger than 590 mL, provided it is a soft plastic "factory sealed disposable" container. The venue will also provide cooling areas with shade and misting systems, and will deploy cooling buses and distribute water if necessary, according to FIFA's statement.
The Toronto Police Service has stated that it is "well positioned to support FIFA-related events" and is able to maintain policing operations across the city while supporting the World Cup. However, the city's concern about safety "resources" comes at a time when security costs are under scrutiny, particularly following a staffing crunch at a private security contractor hired to handle the World Cup.
The shortage of security guards during the first weekend of the soccer tournament led to Toronto Police racking up overtime, with one source stating that the city had to scramble to hire extra security contractors to make up for the shortfall. The city's concern about safety resources also raises questions about the strain on security resources, particularly given the costs associated with policing the pedestrianization of Church St. around Wellesley St.
The estimated cost of policing the area is close to $50,000 for paid-duty cops at peak periods, with on-duty officers doing most of the work. The full cost of the project, including private security patrols, is expected to be around $300,000, with the city facing a deficit of $500,000.
