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

Here are all the 2025 statutory holidays in Canada

Huge stretch of TTC subway spanning 11 stations closed for the next 2 weekends

Most people in Toronto now think that the city is moving in the wrong direction

11 million Canada Post parcels now undelivered ahead of Black Friday

Busy Toronto street kicks off major makeover set to wrap in 2025

Here's how much money you could save during Canada's GST holiday

Huge changes planned to 'transform' a major Toronto street

Canadians working in certain fields can expect a big pay bump in 2025