Power outage in Toronto affects 5,000 customers, cancels event, and causes downtown disruptions

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A power outage affecting part of downtown Toronto on the afternoon of February 5, 2025, caused significant disruptions for residents, businesses, and commercial establishments. The blackout began around 1:30 p.m. and impacted approximately 5,000 customers in the area spanning Queen Street West, Spadina Avenue, Yonge Street, and the Gardiner Expressway. Toronto Hydro confirmed that the issue originated in the transmission system managed by Hydro One, the company responsible for supplying electricity in the city. The outage affected major commercial buildings and forced the cancellation of scheduled events, including a performance of The Lion King at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Crews were deployed to restore power, with an initial estimated return time of 5:30 p.m. However, the incident raised concerns about the reliability of the city’s power grid and highlighted the challenges of maintaining electrical infrastructure in large urban centers.

Fewer than ten major office buildings were directly affected by the outage, according to Hydro One. Despite the blackout, Toronto’s public transit system, including the TTC and Union Station, continued operating without service interruptions. OCAD University announced the closure of its campus at 230 Richmond St. W. due to the power failure, while CBC Toronto reported a temporary loss of electricity at its Front Street headquarters, which was resolved around 3:50 p.m.

The blackout also disrupted the Lion King matinee show at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The performance was canceled at 1:30 p.m., about 20 minutes after it started, as the regular power supply was not restored in time. Although the theater has a backup generator, it was insufficient to continue the show. Affected audience members are being contacted to reschedule their tickets. The 7:00 p.m. performance was expected to proceed as scheduled.

History of Power Outages in Toronto

Toronto has experienced multiple significant power outages in recent years, caused by technical failures, weather conditions, and external factors. On February 1, 2024, a raccoon came into contact with electrical equipment at a downtown substation, causing a failure that left about 7,000 customers without electricity for over two hours. In addition to residential disruptions, the incident led to malfunctioning traffic lights and stranded passengers in elevators. Another major blackout occurred in April 2023, when a transmission failure at Hydro One left approximately 8,400 customers without power for nearly five hours.

One of the most severe blackouts in Toronto’s history occurred in 2003 when a massive power failure affected the entire U.S. East Coast and parts of Canada. The outage, triggered by a transmission line failure in Ohio, impacted nearly 50 million people. Toronto was left without electricity for over 24 hours, causing widespread disruptions to businesses, hospitals, and residents. The event exposed vulnerabilities in the power grid and led to increased investment in infrastructure improvements.

Impact and Risks of Power Outages in Urban Areas

Power outages in metropolitan areas can lead to numerous complications, especially when they occur during business hours or critical periods. Key risks include:

  • Disruptions to essential services: Hospitals, police stations, and emergency response centers may face operational challenges if they lack adequate backup power sources.
  • Traffic congestion and accidents: Traffic signals can become inoperative, increasing the risk of road accidents and requiring police intervention.
  • Financial losses for businesses: Retail stores, restaurants, and offices rely on electricity to operate, and prolonged outages can lead to significant revenue losses.
  • Public safety concerns: A lack of street lighting and security system failures can contribute to increased crime and accidents.
queda de energia
queda de energia – Foto: Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com

How Toronto’s Electrical Infrastructure Works

Toronto’s power system is managed by two main companies: Hydro One, responsible for electricity transmission, and Toronto Hydro, which oversees distribution. The city’s electrical grid comprises a complex network of high-voltage transmission lines and substations designed to ensure a stable electricity supply. However, aging infrastructure, rapid population growth, and climate change pose ongoing challenges to grid reliability.

In recent years, Toronto has invested in grid modernization, including upgrading transmission lines, improving equipment resilience, and implementing smart-grid technologies to detect and resolve power failures more efficiently. However, the February 5 outage demonstrates that vulnerabilities still exist, particularly during peak demand periods.

What to Do During a Power Outage

During a power outage, it is essential to follow safety precautions to minimize risks and ensure personal security. Recommended actions include:

  • Unplugging electrical appliances: This prevents potential damage caused by power surges when electricity is restored.
  • Avoiding frequent refrigerator and freezer openings: Keeping doors closed helps maintain food at safe temperatures for longer.
  • Using flashlights instead of candles: Open flames can pose a fire hazard if left unattended.
  • Staying informed through official updates: Monitoring updates from utility companies helps residents stay aware of power restoration timelines.

Interesting Facts About Power Outages

  • The largest blackout in history: In July 2012, India experienced a massive power failure that affected over 620 million people, nearly 9% of the world’s population at the time.
  • Animals frequently cause power failures: Raccoons, squirrels, and even birds can come into contact with electrical equipment, leading to unexpected blackouts.
  • Smart cities rely on stable power grids: Modern urban areas depend on uninterrupted electricity for public surveillance systems, traffic control, and public transportation operations.

Summary of the Toronto Power Outage

  • Date: February 5, 2025
  • Location: Downtown Toronto, between Queen Street West and Gardiner Expressway
  • Outage start time: 1:30 p.m.
  • Customers affected: Approximately 5,000
  • Likely cause: Transmission failure at Hydro One
  • Major impacts:
    • The Lion King show at the Princess of Wales Theatre was canceled
    • OCAD University closed its campus at 230 Richmond St. W.
    • Temporary power outages at major commercial and residential buildings
  • Estimated power restoration time: 5:30 p.m.

Timeline of Major Power Outages in Toronto

  • 1965: A massive blackout affected the northeastern U.S. and parts of Canada due to a failure in a power station.
  • 2003: A transmission grid failure in the U.S. caused a blackout that left Toronto without power for over 24 hours.
  • 2023: A Hydro One system failure led to an outage affecting 8,400 customers in downtown Toronto.
  • 2024: A raccoon-triggered power failure left thousands without electricity in downtown Toronto.

Statistics on Power Outages in Canada

  • Frequency: Canada experiences an average of 3 to 5 major power outages annually across different regions.
  • Main causes: Severe weather, technical failures, and animal interference account for 80% of blackouts nationwide.
  • Investment in grid improvements: Over the past five years, Hydro One and Toronto Hydro have invested over $1 billion in upgrading electrical infrastructure.



A power outage affecting part of downtown Toronto on the afternoon of February 5, 2025, caused significant disruptions for residents, businesses, and commercial establishments. The blackout began around 1:30 p.m. and impacted approximately 5,000 customers in the area spanning Queen Street West, Spadina Avenue, Yonge Street, and the Gardiner Expressway. Toronto Hydro confirmed that the issue originated in the transmission system managed by Hydro One, the company responsible for supplying electricity in the city. The outage affected major commercial buildings and forced the cancellation of scheduled events, including a performance of The Lion King at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Crews were deployed to restore power, with an initial estimated return time of 5:30 p.m. However, the incident raised concerns about the reliability of the city’s power grid and highlighted the challenges of maintaining electrical infrastructure in large urban centers.

Fewer than ten major office buildings were directly affected by the outage, according to Hydro One. Despite the blackout, Toronto’s public transit system, including the TTC and Union Station, continued operating without service interruptions. OCAD University announced the closure of its campus at 230 Richmond St. W. due to the power failure, while CBC Toronto reported a temporary loss of electricity at its Front Street headquarters, which was resolved around 3:50 p.m.

The blackout also disrupted the Lion King matinee show at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The performance was canceled at 1:30 p.m., about 20 minutes after it started, as the regular power supply was not restored in time. Although the theater has a backup generator, it was insufficient to continue the show. Affected audience members are being contacted to reschedule their tickets. The 7:00 p.m. performance was expected to proceed as scheduled.

History of Power Outages in Toronto

Toronto has experienced multiple significant power outages in recent years, caused by technical failures, weather conditions, and external factors. On February 1, 2024, a raccoon came into contact with electrical equipment at a downtown substation, causing a failure that left about 7,000 customers without electricity for over two hours. In addition to residential disruptions, the incident led to malfunctioning traffic lights and stranded passengers in elevators. Another major blackout occurred in April 2023, when a transmission failure at Hydro One left approximately 8,400 customers without power for nearly five hours.

One of the most severe blackouts in Toronto’s history occurred in 2003 when a massive power failure affected the entire U.S. East Coast and parts of Canada. The outage, triggered by a transmission line failure in Ohio, impacted nearly 50 million people. Toronto was left without electricity for over 24 hours, causing widespread disruptions to businesses, hospitals, and residents. The event exposed vulnerabilities in the power grid and led to increased investment in infrastructure improvements.

Impact and Risks of Power Outages in Urban Areas

Power outages in metropolitan areas can lead to numerous complications, especially when they occur during business hours or critical periods. Key risks include:

  • Disruptions to essential services: Hospitals, police stations, and emergency response centers may face operational challenges if they lack adequate backup power sources.
  • Traffic congestion and accidents: Traffic signals can become inoperative, increasing the risk of road accidents and requiring police intervention.
  • Financial losses for businesses: Retail stores, restaurants, and offices rely on electricity to operate, and prolonged outages can lead to significant revenue losses.
  • Public safety concerns: A lack of street lighting and security system failures can contribute to increased crime and accidents.
queda de energia
queda de energia – Foto: Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com

How Toronto’s Electrical Infrastructure Works

Toronto’s power system is managed by two main companies: Hydro One, responsible for electricity transmission, and Toronto Hydro, which oversees distribution. The city’s electrical grid comprises a complex network of high-voltage transmission lines and substations designed to ensure a stable electricity supply. However, aging infrastructure, rapid population growth, and climate change pose ongoing challenges to grid reliability.

In recent years, Toronto has invested in grid modernization, including upgrading transmission lines, improving equipment resilience, and implementing smart-grid technologies to detect and resolve power failures more efficiently. However, the February 5 outage demonstrates that vulnerabilities still exist, particularly during peak demand periods.

What to Do During a Power Outage

During a power outage, it is essential to follow safety precautions to minimize risks and ensure personal security. Recommended actions include:

  • Unplugging electrical appliances: This prevents potential damage caused by power surges when electricity is restored.
  • Avoiding frequent refrigerator and freezer openings: Keeping doors closed helps maintain food at safe temperatures for longer.
  • Using flashlights instead of candles: Open flames can pose a fire hazard if left unattended.
  • Staying informed through official updates: Monitoring updates from utility companies helps residents stay aware of power restoration timelines.

Interesting Facts About Power Outages

  • The largest blackout in history: In July 2012, India experienced a massive power failure that affected over 620 million people, nearly 9% of the world’s population at the time.
  • Animals frequently cause power failures: Raccoons, squirrels, and even birds can come into contact with electrical equipment, leading to unexpected blackouts.
  • Smart cities rely on stable power grids: Modern urban areas depend on uninterrupted electricity for public surveillance systems, traffic control, and public transportation operations.

Summary of the Toronto Power Outage

  • Date: February 5, 2025
  • Location: Downtown Toronto, between Queen Street West and Gardiner Expressway
  • Outage start time: 1:30 p.m.
  • Customers affected: Approximately 5,000
  • Likely cause: Transmission failure at Hydro One
  • Major impacts:
    • The Lion King show at the Princess of Wales Theatre was canceled
    • OCAD University closed its campus at 230 Richmond St. W.
    • Temporary power outages at major commercial and residential buildings
  • Estimated power restoration time: 5:30 p.m.

Timeline of Major Power Outages in Toronto

  • 1965: A massive blackout affected the northeastern U.S. and parts of Canada due to a failure in a power station.
  • 2003: A transmission grid failure in the U.S. caused a blackout that left Toronto without power for over 24 hours.
  • 2023: A Hydro One system failure led to an outage affecting 8,400 customers in downtown Toronto.
  • 2024: A raccoon-triggered power failure left thousands without electricity in downtown Toronto.

Statistics on Power Outages in Canada

  • Frequency: Canada experiences an average of 3 to 5 major power outages annually across different regions.
  • Main causes: Severe weather, technical failures, and animal interference account for 80% of blackouts nationwide.
  • Investment in grid improvements: Over the past five years, Hydro One and Toronto Hydro have invested over $1 billion in upgrading electrical infrastructure.



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