Many South Etobicoke residents grew up a streetcar ride away from the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) which was always a highlight of our summer in Toronto.

Now after 142 years of memories, the CNE is at risk of closing its gates and food venues. The late August fair, along with other major city attractions, will be cancelled for a second year to curb the spread of COVID-19, according to city leaders.

More than 70,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the provincial and federal governments to contribute $5.5 million each to save the iconic fair.

Without financial support the CNE will not survive to 2022, according to the petition.

It is estimated that the CNE will lose up to $70 million in revenue due to the 2021 closure and will have to reassess the “financial viability” of surviving a second consecutive year of money lost.

According to the CNE Association, the not-for-profit agricultural organization which oversees the event, the CNE saw a $6 million loss in 2020 after an unprecedented decision to cancel its 18-day in-person event.

“Without government support, the 142-year-old fair could close its gates forever,” said Councillor Mike Layton in a Tweet. He is also the host of the petition.

The CNE is also an important employer, particularly of youth, keeping near 5,000 people per fair season in their employ and supporting 700 independent vendors, the petition state. As a regional cultural attraction, the CNE also supports more than 1,000 entertainers during the fair.

The CNE operates as a non-profit, paying rent to the City of Toronto to operate. The city provided financial support to the CNE in 2020 and will do so again in 2021, as well as committing to partner to support continued operations, but there is still a desperate need for financial support from other levels of government to secure the future of the CNE, and the economic activity it generates.

The pandemic has meant this one-of-a-kind family tradition has been cancelled for two years in a row and is facing huge financial pressure.

“Without action now from all levels of government the CNE is at risk of being unable to host another fair,” the petition stressed.

For well over a century the Canadian National Exhibition Association, and its signature event the CNE, has brought together Canadians and visitors from far and wide to mark the end of summer with countless attractions and experiences.

“Not only is the fair the signal of the end of summer, but it is a major attraction in Ontario with over 1.4 million visitors every year,” the organizers said.

The popularity of the 18 day fair makes a significant economic contribution to the economy of the GTA and province, generating $93.1M and $128.3M respectively.

The petition can be found at change.org