giant rubber duck toronto

Toronto's giant rubber duck was a great investment after all

There was plenty of mocking and cries of government misspending when it was announced that a giant rubber duck would float into Toronto for Canada 150 celebrations to the tune of $200K (roughly $120K of which came from an Ontario grant).

It would seem, however, that the rubber monstrosity — or at least the people behind its arrival in Toronto — will have the last laugh. We already knew that tons of people went to see the duck, but now, according to the Globe & Mail, more telling financial info has been released.

Based on a study by Enigma Research, the Redpath Waterfront Festival claims that its economic impact was a whopping $7.6 million. That's one powerful bath toy.

With attendance numbers that hovered around 750,000 people over Canada Weekend, the festival claims it was a major boost for water taxis and other businesses hurt by spring flooding in Toronto.

You can now cue up the petitions calling for the return of the giant rubber duck next year.

Lead photo by

Matt Forsythe


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Huge TTC parking lot in Toronto about to close forever ahead of redevelopment

Justin Trudeau pledges to save Toronto's Santa Claus Parade

Closure-plagued Toronto streetcar line is finally back in full force

Olivia Chow is going to war with Doug Ford over controversial new bill

Over 55,000 Canada Post workers now on strike and here's how it'll affect you

Here are some Canadian government jobs based in Ontario that pay very well

University of Toronto named among world's best in another category

Toronto plans to install signs blaming Doug Ford for traffic