The City of Toronto is developing an inclusionary zoning policy that would require new residential developments to include affordable housing units, creating mixed-income housing. Our city is growing and we want to make sure new housing is affordable for those who call Toronto home. Inclusionary zoning is one solution among a range of City initiatives to help address Toronto’s housing needs.
Today, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is launching the annual online flu vaccine booking system to help residents schedule their appointments for TPH's annual flu vaccine clinics. This year, in response to local COVID-19 circumstances, TPH flu vaccine clinics will only be available through online appointments to ensure that appropriate physical distancing and infection prevention and control measures can be followed to reduce the potential risk of virus spread and keep residents safer.
Today, Mayor John Tory announced that approximately $1.9 million in additional funding will be distributed from the TO Supports Investment Fund to 33 community-based agencies supporting vulnerable populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the second installment of the City's commitment of 20 per cent towards the provincial Social Services Relief Fund to support non-profit social service agencies during this pandemic.
Today, Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto is extending its partnership with Ritual to launch Open For Business – a collaboration with Ritual and DoorDash to help local businesses across Toronto increase their commission-free online sales.
Ritual ONE is typically accessed by restaurants, bars and food services, such as cafes, bakeries, butchers and grocers. However, this program is available to any Toronto business that wants to access commission-free pickup and delivery.
Today, the City of Toronto launched a social media campaign to bring attention to the need to combat racism in our city, including anti-East Asian racism. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in incidents of racism against all East Asian communities in Toronto. Racial harassment/discrimination against East Asians can occur through stereotyping and overt prejudice, or in more subconscious, subtle and subversive ways.
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 expressed support for new Province of Ontario restrictions.
In response to recommendations from Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, the City of Toronto is adjusting recreation programs in its recreation facilities to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Dr. de Villa recommended to the Government of Ontario last week that all indoor group classes in gyms and indoor sports team activities in Toronto be discontinued in response to rising COVID-19 infections. This is one of several recommendations made to protect the health of Toronto residents, keep schools open and quickly confront the current resurgence of the virus.
October 7, 2020
Geoff Smith, CEO EllisDon Sarah Downey, CEO Michael Garron Hospital
Dear Mr. Smith and Ms. Downey:
The discovery of hate graffiti last Friday, October 2nd at the Michael Garron Hospital construction site has once again sent our East End community reeling.
It is upsetting for the entire community that our new hospital extension, which is being built as a place of healing, has been repeatedly tarnished by hate.
Today, Mayor John Tory and the Canadian Live Music Association, in partnership with Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area and Ontario Creates, released the results of a long-awaited Toronto venues study, Re:Venues: A Case and Path Forward for Toronto’s Live Music Industry. Among other findings, the study confirms that the total economic impact of Toronto live music venues is $850 million annually, providing the equivalent of 10,500 full-time jobs.
Homelessness is an extremely complex issue and the City of Toronto continues to experience significant demand for emergency shelter. To ensure safe and welcoming places for people who need them during the coming winter weather, the City is providing details about the 2020-21 winter services plan.
The winter plan is part of the City’s Interim Shelter Recovery and Infrastructure Implementation Plan released today, which specifies measures needed over the next 12 months to protect homeless clients and to continue to provide shelter services safely while COVID-19 is a concern.
