News and Updates

Toronto City Council votes unanimously to strengthen bylaws to prevent continued COVID-19 resurgence

Toronto City Council today voted unanimously in favour of stronger measures to protect residents from COVID-19 and slow the ongoing resurgence of the virus in the community. The measures adopted were recommended by Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and are supported by data collected by Toronto Public Health.

There are 19,593 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 321 new cases today. There are 65 people hospitalized. In total, 16,329 people have recovered from COVID-19. To date, there have been 1,181 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform: http://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto/.

THE BENTWAY BRINGS WATERFRONT SITES TO LIFE WITH NEW ART PROJECT, THE ESSENTIALS

The Bentway commissions three Toronto-based artists for The Essentials, a public art project that asks us to examine what is essential for our urban future

September 28, 2020 – [Toronto, ON] - The Bentway travels beyond the Gardiner Expressway this fall with The Essentials, a series of art projects along the Waterfront that reflect on what we as a community collectively value as “essential” during this period of change, recovery and rebuilding.

City of Toronto announces ActiveTO major road closures will be extended into October

Today, Mayor John Tory announced that major weekend road closures, as part of the popular ActiveTO suite of programs, will be extended into October.

The popular weekend closures have provided space for thousands of people to be physically active, respect physical distancing and contributed to the overall wellbeing of residents. The routes run adjacent to some of Toronto’s busiest and most popular trails where people can walk, run and bike and have helped to reduce virus spread over the summer months.

City of Toronto issues Open Door program call for applications to support building new affordable rental housing

The City of Toronto has released the 2020 Call for Applications for the Open Door program. The program provides an opportunity for private, co-op and non-profit affordable housing organizations to apply for support from the City to create affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income households in Toronto.

The Open Door program encourages private, co-op and non-profit housing organizations to develop affordable housing by providing successful applicants with a range of financial contributions, which could include an exemption of fees, charges or property tax as well as capital funding. Successful Open Door applications also benefit from the Open Door Planning Service which fast-tracks approvals.

Updated data from City of Toronto ActiveTO major road closures shows successful summer

Today, Mayor John Tory reminded residents that this weekend will be the final weekend of ActiveTO Major Weekend Road Closures. Updated verified data from the summer months of ActiveTO usage has also been made available which demonstrates the success of the program.

This weekend, closures will be in place from Saturday, September 26 at 6 a.m. to Sunday, September 27 at 11 p.m.:

CreateTO, in partnership with the City of Toronto, launches market offering for the Basin Media Hub

TORONTO, ONTARIO – September 24, 2020 – CreateTO, on behalf of the City of Toronto, is seeking proposals globally from film and television production companies to develop and operate a purpose-built, state-of-the-art film, television, and digital media hub on Basin Street.

The Basin Media Hub, located on an 8.9-acre waterfront development parcel in Toronto’s Port Lands, is expected to provide up to 500,000 GFA of studio space and production offices, providing much needed capacity within the sector.

Toronto Public Health launches enhanced reporting dashboard in response to COVID-19 resurgence

A key role of public health in the battle against COVID-19 is to use current evidence and local data to inform decisions about public health actions to keep residents safer as we live with COVID-19. Today, Toronto Public Health is pleased to launch enhancements to the COVID-19 data dashboard. This updated dashboard will provide more detailed information to help residents better understand how this virus is affecting our community.

City of Toronto extends cancellation of outdoor major events and provides $565,000 to support cultural festivals impacted by COVID-19

To slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Toronto is extending the cancellation of City-led and City-permitted outdoor major events to December 31.

Today's announcement is based on public health advice and includes festivals and other large in-person gatherings held at outdoor sites managed by the City or other public locations, such as roads, parks and Civic Squares.

City of Toronto invites residents to become Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions

The City of Toronto invites residents and community leaders to help inspire climate action by becoming a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion.

BigArtTO turns local landmarks and buildings into art canvases to show love to Toronto

BigArtTO, a City-led ShowLoveTO initiative involving large-scale projections in each of the City of Toronto's 25 wards was launched tonight.

Mayor Tory was joined at tonight's event by local Councillor Shelley Carroll (Ward 17 Don Valley North).

A city-wide temporary public art initiative, BigArtTO will provide residents with opportunities to safely explore city neighbourhoods and support local businesses and artists. BigArtTO will also set the stage for ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021.