Toronto councillors voted unanimously on Wednesday to extend the use of 'Support Our Troops' decals on fire and emergency medical service vehicles.
Facing a potential backlash, city council voted the ribbons will stay on all emergency vehicles indefinitely.
Before making the vote, council held a moment of silence for three more Canadian soldiers who died in Afghanistan.
Although he initially was opposed to the motion, Toronto Mayor David Miller said extending the decal's presence was the right thing to do. When asked why he changed his mind on the motion, Miller responded: "Today's deaths brought it home."
"I think it's important that Canadians understand Toronto's position and I think it's doubly important on a day when three soldiers give their lives in support of our country that we make that statement," Miller said during the council session.
The new motion means ribbons will be allowed on police vehicles as well.
Earlier this week, emergency services were told the magnetic ribbons must be removed from all city-owned vehicles by Sept. 4.
Coun. Frances Nunziata made a motion on Tuesday that council extend the use of the decals.
"Leave things the way they are. Leave the ribbons," Nunziata told reporters.
She said she brought the motion forward after receiving calls from concerned veterans.
Tourists from across the country threatened to boycott Toronto as a vacation destination if the decals were removed.
Councillors apologized on Wednesday to those offended by the original decision to have the decals removed.
"It's been an embarrassment and I personally apologize to all Canadians and of course the troops," Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti said.
Some speculate the decision to remove the ribbons came about because proper protocol to post the decals on city-owned vehicles was not followed.
Others say city council does not want the vehicles to appear supportive of the controversial war in Afghanistan.
However, city officials said Tuesday that the decal campaign was only ever intended to last for one year.
Public relations staff, Toronto EMS Chief Bruce Farr and Fire Chief Bill Stewart held an hour-long meeting on the issue.
After the meeting, Farr and Stewart said the campaign was following a pre-determined schedule.
"That is part of our maintenance rotation stating in September this year. It's our intention to peel the stickers off," Farr said.
Stewart said there was no city hall order to have the stickers removed.
Miller has said that while emergency crews should continue to support Canadian troops, one year was sufficient for the decal program.
"It's controversial on both sides. There are people who see it as support for the troops and there are people who see it as support for war," Miller said.
EMS paid about $3,000 from taxpayer funds for the decals, while the fire department used roughly the same amount from union funds.
The decals are currently on 170 fire trucks, 147 ambulances and 25 EMS cars and SUVs.
Coun. Janet Davis told the Toronto Star she supports Canada's troops, but opposed the use of the decals.
"I don't think we should be using city facilities or vehicles for promoting political messages about matters that fall outside the city's jurisdiction, particularly if they're contentious," she said.
