Small crowd braves cool weather to mark traditional start of summer

Santa Claus would have fit right in if he had made an appearance at yesterday's annual Victoria Day parade.

In a November-like chill, a bundled-up crowd of a few hundred looked like they were patiently waiting for Ol' St. Nick's float rather than celebrating a historical holiday that launches the summer season.

The turnout was low for an event that has previously drawn more than 1,500, but organizers said that was expected with the current run of "hockey weather."

Ontario Lt.-Gov. James Bartleman said it was "marvellous" so many people still came out to Queen's Park as loyal Canadian monarchists ignored the biting cold to regale one another with tales about Queen Victoria -- dubbed the Mother of Canadian Confederation by historians -- and send birthday wishes to Queen Elizabeth.

"You can never predict the weather for this parade," said Garry Toffoli, who has organized the event since 1986.

Others, however, are using the event and this year's golden jubilee celebrations to push the idea that a constitutional monarchy is both outdated and politically incorrect.

The group, Citizens for a Canadian Republic, has launched a national campaign to remove the British monarch as Canada's head of state.

"We have to stop hiding from this issue, which is what Canadians have been doing," said Tom Freda, a founding executive member of CCR. "Nearly half of all Canadians are in favour of replacing the monarchy."

For monarchists, the parade is the beginning of a series of festivities to mark the golden jubilee of the Queen, leading up to her Canadian visit in October.

"There is a sense of history here and that is something that is far too fleeting in this country," said transplanted Brit John Harry Bellingham, 63, who huddled under a blanket with his wife.

"This is a totally Canadian holiday and it's important that people realize the historical significance."