So as you may have heard by now, the ongoing City of Toronto workers strike has not only piled garbage on our streets and kept parents at home, but it's also caused the cancellation of a number of official Canada Day events, including some annual favourites like the celebrations at Mel Lastman Square, Ashbridges Bay, and Kew Gardens. But fireworks aren't fully sympathetic to the union; there are still a number of great Canada Day events throughout Toronto.

The Constantines and Chad VanGaalen @ Harbourfront Centre
The Harbourfront Centre continues its excellent summer program (seriously, well done guys) with a free Canada Day performance from two of our nation's finest indie heroes. Both The Constantines and Chad VanGaalen are huge draws, so make sure to get there early, control your Molson supply, and get ready to rock out, Canadian style.

Blue Jays vs. Rays @ Rogers Centre
Baseball is America's Pastime, but us Canadians enjoy it too. Case in point: the Blue Jays' 1:00 pm day game on Canada Day. Aaron Hill and the boys will suit up in special red Canada Day jerseys, put the beat down on the Tampa Bay Rays (hopefully), and then break out the fireworks after the game. With the city workers strike, we'll take whatever fireworks we can get.

Free Meals @ The Mandarin
Gorging on Chinese food seems like an odd way to celebrate Canada Day, but Canada is a multicultural nation and, as anyone who has ever eaten there can tell you, The Mandarin isn't exactly the most authentic Chinese restaurant in Toronto (pizza, sushi, and mashed potatoes – the proof is in the pudding, as they say). Still, the all-you-can-stand-to-eat Chinese buffet chain is offering free meals to anyone who can prove their Canadian citizenship. They may not be serving Peameal Bacon, but try to find anyone complaining.

Dave Brubeck Quartet @ Nathan Phillips Square
The TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival may be taking place at Nathan Phillips Square (the site of City Hall), but since it's a private event it can go on as planned despite the strike. Thanks corporate sponsorship! On this July 1 performance, legendary American (yeah, deal with it) jazz pianist Dave Brubeck leads his new quartet (mostly made up of his sons) in some seriously smooth music. Dig?

Canada Dry Festival of Fire @ Ontario Place
It's Ontario Place, not Toronto Place, so the Canada Day celebrations soldier on unimpeded. And you should be grateful, because Ontario Place puts on some of the best fireworks of the year at its Canada Dry Festival of Fire. Admission is over $20, but I'll let you in on a secret; if you get close enough, you can see it perfectly fine without paying. Don’t tell anyone.