News and Updates

City of Toronto and partners completing resident vaccinations at all 87 long-term care homes in Toronto

Today, the City of Toronto confirmed that COVID-19 immunization clinics have been held at all 87 long-term care homes in Toronto. The vaccination milestone comes well in advance of the Province of Ontario’s January 21, 2021 deadline to complete the first round of vaccinations in long-term care homes.

More than 10,322 residents and 2,893 staff and essential caregivers have now been vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine on-site in Toronto long-term care homes. In addition, staff and essential caregivers have attended hospital clinics to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Toronto Public Health expands case and contact management work

Toronto Public Health (TPH), in partnership with the Province of Ontario, is today announcing the expansion of the case and contact management component of the City's COVID-19 response. As our local response to the spread of the virus continues, TPH’s case and contact management program is an important tool to help curb this virus spread.

To expand TPH’s case and contact management work, the following enhancements are currently underway:

Automated Speed Enforcement devices issue more than 53,000 tickets at first round of locations with steady reduction in speeding incidents and repeat offenders

The City of Toronto’s 50 Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) devices issued a total of 53,090 tickets at the first round of locations, from July 6, 2020 through the final day of enforcement on November 30, 2020, before the devices started enforcement at the second round of locations on December 1, 2020.

Data from the first set of locations shows the City's Automated Speed Enforcement program had a positive impact on driver behaviour where the speed cameras were placed, with a demonstrated reduction in speeding incidents and a reduction in repeat offenders.

City of Toronto modifies services to adhere to and support new provincial regulations and stay-at-home order

The City of Toronto continues to strongly recommend all residents stay home as much as possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

On January 12, 2021, the Province of Ontario declared its second state of emergency.  At 12:01 a.m. this morning, the Province’s new stay-at-home order came into effect in Toronto and across the province. The City is supportive of strengthened measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, protect our healthcare system and save lives, and has adjusted City services and operations to comply with the new provincial regulations.

City of Toronto launches 2021 tax-supported budgets

Today, the City of Toronto's Budget Committee began the process of reviewing the staff-recommended tax-supported operating and capital budgets for 2021. The budgets will be reviewed and debated by Budget and Executive Committees before being finalized and approved by City Council at its meeting on February 18.

The City has experienced significant financial impacts in the form of both added costs and revenue losses as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These impacts are expected to continue into 2021, with anticipated financial pressures of approximately $1.6 billion.

Toronto Public Health launches new case-control study focused on residents who recently tested negative for COVID-19

Today, Toronto Public Health (TPH) will launch a retrospective case-control study to identify exposure settings and activities that are associated with significantly increased risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 in Toronto. This study will include a focus on residents who recently tested negative for COVID-19 – a new approach for public health units in Canada – and will focus on issues like work environments, living arrangements and other activities including social gatherings or visits to public spaces.

City of Toronto supporting new provincial regulations and stay-at-home order

The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. Today, Mayor John Tory, 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 local impacts of the Province of Ontario’s declaration of a second state of emergency and stay-at-home order.

Toronto neighbourhood has had enough of all the new cannabis stores

January 12, 2021 Tanya Mok, BlogTO

Complaints have arisen once again about the large influx of weed stores trying to open up in Toronto's Riverside neighbourhood.

For the past several months, the stretch of Queen East around Broadview Avenue has become the site of some serious cannabis clustering: when a number dispensaries open (or apply for authorization) in close proximity to one another.

Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency to Address COVID-19 Crisis and Save Lives

January 12, 2021 - The Province has issued a Stay-at-Home Order and has introduced enhanced enforcement measures. The Province has also declared a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA).

Effective Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the government is issuing a stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work. This order and other new and existing public health restrictions are aimed at limiting people's mobility and reducing the number of daily contacts with those outside an immediate household. In addition to limiting outings to essential trips, all businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.

City of Toronto launching initial COVID-19 immunization clinic to prepare for City’s role in vaccine distribution

The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. Today, Mayor John Tory, 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, the rollout of vaccines to priority groups and wider immunization planning.