To slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Toronto is extending the cancellation of in-person City-led and City-permitted major outdoor events to July 1, including Canada Day parades, festivals and fireworks.
Today's announcement includes festivals and other large, in-person gatherings held at outdoor sites managed by the City or other public locations, such as roads, parks and civic squares.
The City of Toronto has released the results of its Open Door 2020 call for applications, which will create 971 new affordable homes.
A City report going to the Planning and Housing Committee next week outlines staff recommendations, which include 15 developments, representing a total of 971 new affordable homes, for approval by City Council. Eleven of the 15 affordable housing developments are proposed by non-profit housing providers, and of these, three are by Indigenous groups. Terms of the program require the homes to be affordable for a minimum period of 40 years, and in many cases the recommended applications will be affordable in perpetuity.
As Toronto Public Health (TPH) has reported, there have been an additional 13 COVID-19 cases that have screened positive for variants of concern (VOCs) affecting residents of the shelter sector and those who are staying in encampments.
The City of Toronto continues to take significant action to ensure the safety of those in the shelter system to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The following measures are being immediately implemented to enhance the protection of people experiencing homelessness as a result of these developments and in response to updated public health guidance:
Today, Mayor John Tory announced the details of the second phase of the City of Toronto's Modular Housing Initiative (MHI). The two sites announced today will create approximately 128 modular homes, 64 at each of the City-owned sites, which are located at 175 Cummer Ave., next to Willowdale Manor, and on the corner lot at Trenton Ave. and Cedarvale Ave. The new modular homes will provide stable, affordable housing and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Mayor John Tory announced today that the first registration window for the expanded CaféTO program will open this Friday, February 26 at 9 a.m. The first window will remain open for a full month, until Friday, March 26, and the second window will open immediately afterward.
Starting on Friday morning, local restaurant and bar operators interested in expanding their outdoor dining space into the curb lane and onto sidewalks can register online using a clear process. Pending public health orders, approved CaféTO curb lane locations from the first window would be installed as soon as mid-May – almost two months earlier than last year and in time for the May long weekend.
The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. Today, in response to evidence presented by Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, the Province of Ontario announced Toronto will remain in the Shutdown Zone under the provincial Lockdown Regulation and subject to the Stay-at-Home Order until at least March 9. The City supports the Province’s decision to extend the current orders to protect the healthcare system and save lives.
Toronto Public Health (TPH) has added new data to the COVID-19: Status of Cases in Toronto dashboard to illustrate how cases of variants of concern (VOC) are spreading in Toronto.
The data provides further insight into VOC in the city, including the total number of confirmed VOC cases that have screened positive for a mutation, number of cases broken down by the specific variant and source of infection as well as case counts by gender, severity and age.
The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. Today, Mayor John Tory, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg announced the City is requesting that Toronto remain in the Shutdown Zone under the provincial Lockdown Regulation and subject to the Stay-at-Home Order until March 9 at the earliest in order to protect the healthcare system and save lives.
Beginning Tuesday, February 16, 10 of the City’s recreation facilities will open to allow individuals with disabilities to access physical therapy while Toronto remains in lockdown. Under provincial regulations, participants will be required to provide a medical certificate issued by a regulated medical practitioner attesting to a disability as defined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
The City of Toronto is seeking members for two volunteer boards, the Toronto Public Art Commission and the Design Review Panel.
Toronto Public Art Commission (TPAC)
The TPAC is a City of Toronto arts advisory body and peer review group, made up of citizen volunteers with diverse backgrounds, that works collaboratively with the City’s Urban Design and Community Planning staff to provide recommendations and assist in the review of public art projects and policies. TPAC members provide feedback about public art plans from private developers as part of the Percent for Public Art Program. Projects include large-scale development, district public art plans, secondary plans, master plans, as well as contributions for private property and/or off-site locations. Members of the commission do not select the final artwork and are not members of any selection juries.
