News and Updates

Toronto Public Health releases new COVID-19 workplace outbreak data and announces new measures for COVID-19 related workplace safety

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has launched new content on its monitoring dashboard to illustrate how the pandemic is affecting workplace settings. Today, TPH released the findings and trends from recently collected COVID-19 case data on current and historical workplace outbreaks, organized by business sector.

As of Jan 7, 2021 all workplace outbreaks will be published weekly in the following categories determined by Public Health Ontario and based on the North American Industry Classification System:

Emergency child care available for school-aged children of designated essential service workers during remote learning week

As part of the current lockdown measures imposed by the Province of Ontario as of December 26, school-aged children in publicly-funded elementary schools will participate in remote learning from January 4 to 8, 2021. During this period, emergency child care services will be available for designated essential service providers who are not able to accommodate their school-aged child's learning or care at home.

City of Toronto partners with CN Tower and CHUM1045 for New Year’s Eve

The City of Toronto is proud to collaborate with the CN Tower and CHUM1045 to host New Year’s Eve online, in a delightful celebration of light and sound, providing Toronto residents with a safe and engaging New Year’s Eve event to enjoy with members of their household.

Based on the recommendations of Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, to help stop the spread of COVID-19, the City, like other municipalities across Canada, is celebrating New Year’s Eve virtually. All in-person New Year’s Eve events, including celebrations in Nathan Phillips Square, have been cancelled.

City of Toronto accepting new Fair Pass Discount Program applications

The City of Toronto will resume accepting new applications for the Fair Pass Discount Program beginning today, Monday, December 21. Residents can confirm their eligibility and apply for the Fair Pass Program online at www.toronto.ca/transitdiscount or over the phone by calling 416-338-8888.

In November 2020, City Council endorsed improvements to the Fair Pass application process to help meet public health recommendations. All eligible residents can now quickly and easily apply online and access support from a single point of contact.

Planned City of Toronto holiday camps and instructional programs cancelled due to COVID-19

The City of Toronto is cancelling all planned 2020 holiday CampTO camps and winter instructional programs, including Learn-to-Skate and Instructional Ski, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 as Toronto’s COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise. This decision follows recommendations from Toronto Public Health and the City’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa while Toronto remains in the Grey – Lockdown category of the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework.

City Council approves an implementation plan for a tax on vacant homes in Toronto

December 16, 2020

Today, Toronto City Council approved an implementation plan to introduce a new tax on vacant Toronto homes starting in 2022.

A vacant home tax aims to increase the housing supply by encouraging homeowners to sell or rent their unoccupied home – and, if they choose to continue to keep the home vacant, a tax is levied. This revenue can then be used to fund affordable housing projects.

City Council approves 2021 rate-supported budgets with the largest annual capital investment in Toronto Water’s history

Toronto City Council has approved the 2021 rate-supported operating and capital budgets for Toronto Water, Toronto Parking Authority and Solid Waste Management Services. The approved budgets maintain current service levels and make critical investments in infrastructure while reducing planned rate increases to just 1.5 per cent.

The 2021 operating and capital budgets have been developed with the guiding principles of addressing financial challenges that have been created by COVID-19, prioritizing initiatives that will support economic restart and recovery efforts, and embedding equity by finding opportunities to make the city more fair and livable for those who live and work here.

City of Toronto update on COVID-19- December 16, 2020

The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. Today, Mayor John Tory and Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, provided an update on the City’s measures to combat the resurgence of the virus in Toronto.

There are 50,745 cases of COVID-19 in the city. Today, Dr. de Villa reported a record increase of 850 new recorded cases. There are 281 people hospitalized. To date, there have been 1,741 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 19 deaths, including a person who was 47 years old. In total, 43,340 people have recovered from COVID-19. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto/.

Media Release - Keeping Santa on Track

For immediate release December 16, 2020

Toronto, ON – This Christmas will be different, but it doesn't mean that Santa can't visit to bring some magic and joy to children in Toronto.

City Councillor Paula Fletcher has put forward a motion, seconded by Mayor Tory, to ensure Santa is able to make his annual Christmas trip safely. The motion requests the Government of Ontario to deem Santa Claus an essential service and also requests the Government of Canada take the necessary actions required to exempt him and his reindeer from quarantine measures.

City 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 an additional place to rest and access snacks, washroom facilities and referrals to emergency shelter.

Space will be offered at the following:

• 129 Peter Street
• 5800 Yonge Street
• Exhibition Place, Better Living Centre