Toronto city council voted unanimously on Wednesday to keep yellow ribbon decals placed last year on the sides of Toronto fire trucks and ambulances in support of Canadian troops.

The decals were only intended to be displayed for one year, and were due to be removed from the vehicles starting in September.

But the decision to remove the decals sparked outrage from some members of the public and led to debate among the city councillors.

"We're the leading city in this country and we should be behind our troops," Coun. Mark Grimes said.

In defending the decision to discontinue the campaign, officials said they had fielded numerous calls from the public expressing concern the decals suggested that the city supported the military's presence in Afghanistan, and not just the soldiers.

"It's being used in a political way to say that you're either with us or against us," Coun. Adam Vaughan said. "You either support the troops or you don't support the troops and if you don't put a yellow ribbon on your car, what does that say about you?"

But Toronto Mayor David Miller, who initially opposed keeping the decals, said the death of three Canadian soldiers on Wednesday really brought the issue home. 

"I think it's important that Toronto demonstrate its support for the troops given the perception that some how the city wasn't supportive, which was never true."

Canadian Legion members and veterans who served in Afghanistan also showed up for Wednesday's vote.

"If that wasn't approved, I think it would have been a tremendous insult to everybody who's ever served in the military," Loren Hood said.

With files from the Canadian Press