News and Updates

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

Reduce, reuse and recycle right this holiday season

The City of Toronto is encouraging residents to be mindful of the amount of waste they generate over the holiday season and to look for opportunities to reduce and reuse.

This holiday season, the City is reminding everyone to protect themselves and loved ones from COVID-19. Toronto Public Health strongly recommends individuals avoid in-home gatherings and celebrate in-person only with the people that they live with and celebrate virtually with those outside the household.

Short-term rentals operators in Toronto must register by December 31 to continue hosting

Short-term rental operators renting homes or rooms for periods of less than 28 consecutive days must be registered with the City of Toronto by December 31, 2020, to continue short-term renting in Toronto.

Beginning January 1, 2021, registered operators must start collecting the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). After January 1, 2021, the City will take enforcement action against operators who are not registered or are not following the rules. Enforcement action will also be taken against short-term rental companies that allow unregistered operators to list on their platform or contravene the bylaw.

City of Toronto continues working with community-based agencies to provide mental health support to vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic

The City of Toronto wants all residents to know that it is OK to not be OK and ask for mental health support.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Toronto has partnered with community-based agencies that provide mental health and social services to support residents during this difficult time. The City has also remained committed to providing Torontonians with safe opportunities for recreation and prioritized access to the City’s parks and green spaces for fresh air and exercise.

Man, 34, arrested after nooses found at Michael Garron Hospital last summer

December 7, 2020 By Joanna Lavoie, Toronto.com A 34-year-old man is facing four charges in connection with the discovery of nooses found this summer at East York’s Michael Garron Hospital. On June 10, 2020, at about 12:30 p.m., Toronto police responded to a radio call near Coxwell and Sammon avenues.

Investigators allege workers assigned to a closed construction site, which

Toronto Public Health enhances school screening tool

Today, Toronto Public Health (TPH) updated their COVID-19 school screening tool to further prevent opportunities for virus spread. The updated screening tool includes a new requirement that if a student has even one COVID-19 symptom, they must stay home, self-isolate and get tested; and if they live with siblings in the same household, they must all self-isolate. The changes made to the tool were based on our findings from COVID-19 case and outbreak investigations in schools in Toronto.

Virtual Tree Lightings 2020

Dear Friends,

We weren't able to get together in person this year for the annual Tree Lightings, but I've made a special Virtual Tree Lighting video to share with you. We lit up the trees at the East York Civic Centre, Greenwood Park, Leslie Grove Park and Withrow Park (watch until the end for a fun blooper).

I hope this brings some cheer during this difficult period. I wish everyone a safe, warm and healthy holiday season. And big thanks to our amazing Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff for lighting up our trees! The little tree at Dieppe Park is lit too, we just weren't able to film it.

City of Toronto continues to take extraordinary steps to help and protect people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19

Since the start of the pandemic, the City of Toronto has moved at unprecedented speed to adjust its services for those experiencing homelessness by creating 2,300 spaces in new temporary shelter and hotel programs for physical distancing.

So far in 2020, the City has also referred more than 2,500 people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing through a combination of housing allowances and rent-geared-to-income units, representing a 50 per cent increase over the same period last year.