August 8, 2021
By ALEXANDROS VAROUTAS
Have you ever walked through your neighbourhood and wondered what the story behind that old factory was before it became lofts and office spaces?
· CBC News · Posted: Aug 06, 2021 4:00 AM ET |
During the daytime, the skies over Tommy Thompson Park on the Leslie Street Spit are filled with birds, and minks scurry across a rocky beach on Lake Ontario.
This month, the City of Toronto will be engaging with the small business sector on the potential creation of a separate property tax class for small businesses in Toronto, which if implemented, could provide a measure of property tax relief for small and Main Street businesses in the city.
Today, Mayor John Tory announced a City of Toronto pilot program to allow amplified live music on patios to support Toronto's economic and cultural recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, City Council approved the pilot for three City wards: Beaches-East York, Toronto-Danforth and Davenport.
Today, Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto will begin the safe and gradual re-opening of City buildings to visitors with the phased reopening of select in-person counter services at City Hall and civic centres on Monday, August 9 in alignment with the provincial reopening plan and in accordance with public health guidelines.
City Hall and civic centres, along with most counter services, were closed to the public on March 14, 2020, and City staff who were able to work remotely (approximately 20 to 25 per cent of workforce) quickly transitioned to a work-from-home model, while approximately 75 to 80 per cent of staff continued to deliver essential and critical services on location.
Throughout the pandemic, the City has modernized and improved customer experience, making many of its counter services available online. The City will continue to deliver its digital services which have proven convenient to many Torontonians but will also re-open its doors to residents and visitors for in-person services, ensuring choice, accessibility and equity for residents.
On August 9, City Hall, North York Civic Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre, York Civic Centre and East York Civic Centre will be open for a limited number of in-person counter services only. The Metro Hall Early Learning & Child Care Centre and Employment and Social Services offices will continue operation at Metro Hall.
Some counter services returning include payments for tax and utilities, construction permits and tree permit applications. In-person services, such as marriage licences, and zoning inquiries for the Toronto and East York district, will require booking an appointment while others will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Details about counter services can be found here https://contrib.wp.intra.prod-toronto.ca/news/city-of-toronto-counter-service-reopening-plan/.
The health and safety of residents, businesses and City staff remain key priorities in all re-opening plans. Restrictions and capacity limits, in accordance with Provincial and public health guidelines will be in place including mandatory masks, physical distancing, protective barriers and increased sanitization and cleaning protocols.
The latest information about City services is available on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services webpage: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/affected-city-services/.
Quotes:
"This is a great step in the right direction and shows that our efforts, and the efforts of all Torontonians, have helped us get to the point where we are able to re-open the doors of our City buildings to the public. It is also a great step forward for the downtown core and many areas across our city, the local economy, and local businesses and I encourage other businesses to work towards doing the same, in a safe and responsible way."
- Mayor John Tory
"Our staff have worked diligently to ensure the safe, coordinated and gradual re-opening of City buildings, ensuring public health guidelines and all protocols are followed. The safety of our visitors and staff remain our top priority in all our re-opening plans. We are excited to welcome back visitors and provide in-person services to our residents. The Toronto Public Service have been leaders throughout this pandemic and we will once again lead efforts in getting our city moving again, re-igniting our economy and supporting local businesses."
- City Manager Chris Murray
The City of Toronto is entering the next phase of its COVID-19 vaccination program. As Toronto's vaccine coverage surpasses 80% first-dose in residents 12 years and older, and approaches 75% for second doses, the City of Toronto will be expanding its mobile vaccination team operations to increase access to vaccines for those yet to receive their shot.
Starting tomorrow [July 22, 2021], all nine City of Toronto vaccination clinics will be offering walk-in vaccinations for anyone age 12 and older needing a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. By lowering the barrier to vaccination across Toronto, the City is working to reach the approximately 20 per cent of Toronto adults who have not initiated vaccination and the 125,000 people who can accelerate a second dose scheduled for later in the year.
City Council voted to rename Dundas Street and other civic assets with the Dundas name in an effort to promote inclusion and reconciliation with marginalized communities
Today, City Council approved multiple strategies and plans that will be critical to achieving the City of Toronto’s TransformTO goal to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to net zero by 2050 or sooner. This includes a Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy to decarbonize all existing residential, commercial and institutional buildings within the next 30 years; a Net Zero Carbon Plan to reduce emissions in City-owned buildings; and an update to the Toronto Green Standard to achieve net zero emissions in new development by 2030.
City Council has approved SafeTO: Toronto’s 10-Year Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. SafeTO represents a fundamental shift in the way that the City of Toronto thinks about community safety and well-being, refocusing efforts on prevention and addressing the root causes of issues that negatively impact community safety.
