News and Updates

City of Toronto to conduct additional education and enforcement of the mask bylaw in residential buildings

The City of Toronto is conducting additional education and enforcement in residential apartment buildings and condominiums where multiple complaints have been received about mask usage in enclosed common spaces.

An analysis of 311 data revealed that from August 5, 2020, when the mask bylaw came into effect, to January 18, 2021, the City had received 1,950 complaints about improper mask usage in shared residential spaces. Of these complaints, 263 locations have received three or more complaints and 12 locations have received more than 10 complaints related to mask wearing. Seventy-five per cent of the complaints are related to residential apartment buildings and twenty-five per cent are related to condominiums.

CreateTO and the City of Toronto announce Claude Cormier + Associés to design and construct Leslie Slip Lookout Park

TORONTO, ONTARIO – January 27, 2021 – CreateTO and the City of Toronto are pleased to announce that Claude Cormier + Associés (CC+A) has been awarded the contract to design and construct Leslie Slip Lookout Park, an exciting City-building initiative located in Toronto’s Port Lands.

Selected through a design competition, CC+A has designed some of Toronto’s most

Local groups object to number of cannabis store applications on Queen Street East

Friday, January 22, 2021 By Ali Raza, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Beach Metro News

Residents and local organizations are joining Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher in objection to a cluster of seven cannabis shops around Queen

Toronto Public Health working with partners to keep people safe from new COVID-19 variants

Cases of the U.K. B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 that originated in the United Kingdom have been confirmed in Toronto and other parts of the province. In light of this, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is reinforcing the importance of infection prevention and control measures (IPAC) in long-term care homes, retirement homes, correction facilities, shelters, group homes and other congregate living settings, child care centres, and schools that remain open for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning.

City of Toronto to open Warming Centres tonight to help those experiencing homelessness

Tonight at 7 p.m., the City of Toronto will open its four Warming Centres to give those who are vulnerable and may be experiencing homelessness a safe indoor and warm place to rest and access snacks, washroom facilities and referrals to emergency shelter.

Space will be offered at the following locations:

• 129 Peter Street
• 5800 Yonge Street
• Exhibition Place, Better Living Centre, 195 Princes’ Boulevard

The City of Toronto continues to provide support and services to targeted neighbourhoods with high COVID-19 cases

Today, Mayor John Tory, Chair of the Toronto Board of Health Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg provided an update on the City’s measures to combat the resurgence of the virus in Toronto and supports for neighbourhoods experiencing higher COVID-19 case rates.

ConnectTO program aims to increase digital equity and access to affordable high-speed internet in Toronto

The City of Toronto is introducing ConnectTO – a City-driven collaborative program that aims to leverage the use of municipal resources and assets to help bridge the increasing digital divide by expanding access to affordable, high-speed internet to underserved Toronto residents.

Geographically, almost all of Toronto has the infrastructure to connect to the internet, yet some Torontonians are being left behind because of the high price of reliable internet service and gaps in the availability of high-speed internet in some areas. This digital divide creates significant barriers for Toronto's most vulnerable and marginalized residents in accessing vital services and supports. Residents without consistent internet access cannot access information, resources, supports, educational tools and social platforms to stay connected. Businesses trying to compete in a digital-first world are set back by insufficient internet access and are unable to have staff effectively work from home.

City of Toronto report on policing recommends pilots for community safety and crisis response program

A City of Toronto report to be considered by Executive Committee at its meeting of Wednesday, January 27 recommends the approval of four community safety and crisis support service pilots. These pilot programs would allow for non-police led response for non-emergency, non-violent calls including those involving persons in crisis and for wellness checks.

City of Toronto report outlines plan for bigger and better CaféTO program in 2021 to help local restaurants

Today, Mayor John Tory endorsed a new City of Toronto report that recommends an expanded CaféTO program starting this spring to help Toronto’s main street restaurants and bars during the ongoing pandemic.

The report, which will be considered at the meeting of Executive Committee on Wednesday, January 27, includes details about the CaféTO – a quick-start pandemic response program launched last summer – and outlines key findings and outcomes along with recommendations on how to ensure the program is bigger and better this year.

City of Toronto and partners start COVID-19 vaccination pilots for people experiencing homelessness and frontline workers in select shelters

The City of Toronto is pleased to partner with Unity Health Toronto, University Health Network and Inner City Health Associates on COVID-19 vaccination pilot clinics for people experiencing homelessness and frontline shelter workers in select shelters.

Unity Health Toronto ran a clinic January 15 to offer the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine to more than 50 senior residents and more than 20 staff of the City-operated Scarborough Village Residence shelter site. This clinic is part of a pilot to vaccinate people experiencing homelessness and staff at up to four shelter sites, with support from the City’s Shelter Support and Housing Administration, Toronto Public Health and the Inner City Health Associates (ICHA). This pilot is prioritizing shelter sites with the highest population of seniors and people with a significant risk of severe outcome as a result of COVID-19. The purpose of the pilot is to test the clinic model and develop a "playbook" for broader future roll-out of the vaccine in the City’s shelter system.