News and Updates

City of Toronto extends outdoor sport field season due to COVID-19

Today, the City of Toronto announced the extension of the outdoor sport field season. The City’s outdoor sport and multi-use fields will remain open until Sunday, October 25 and permits will be issued for the remainder of the 2020 season.

The City offers almost 700 sport fields at more than 170 locations across Toronto. As a result of pandemic-related restrictions, many of the City’s outdoor sport and multi-use fields opened on July 6 for team training, and permits were issued for the summer season. The outdoor sport field season usually concludes in September. Despite City staff’s quick work to open these outdoor recreation amenities as part of Toronto’s Stage 2 reopening, the season was significantly shortened. While the season will be extended as part of Toronto’s Stage 3 reopening, both the types of activities and the number of people allowed on the field will continue to be restricted to slow the spread of COVID-19.

City of Toronto registration of short-term rentals to launch September 10

This September, the City of Toronto will launch a new online registration system for short-term rental operators who are renting their homes on a short-term basis for a period of less than 28 consecutive days.

Beginning September 10, 2020, short-term rental operators will need to start registering with the City in order to operate in Toronto. Registration is a necessary first step to allow the City to effectively administer the new rules applicable to short-term rentals. People who are currently renting their home on a short-term basis, or planning to do so, must be registered by December 31, 2020. After this date, all new operators will be able to register on an ongoing basis and must register prior to short-term renting their homes.

Mayor John Tory announces $1.7 million in property tax relief for 45 live music venues impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

Today, City of Toronto Mayor John Tory announced that 45 live music venues will receive a combined $1.7 million in property tax relief to support Toronto's live music industry and address the unprecedented challenges that are threatening live music venues across the city.

Mayor Tory made the announcement at The Cameron House, one of the 45 live music venues that will receive this urgently needed target relief program. The Mayor was joined by Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Ward 21 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic Development and Culture committee, Night Economy Ambassador and member of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee as well as Councillor Joe Cressy (Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York) and Chair of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee.

City of Toronto further expands Digital Main Street program to help local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Today, Mayor John Tory announced another expansion of the Digital Main Street program, as two new funding partners have joined the program and additional initiatives have been launched that will focus on helping businesses in Toronto and across Ontario embrace technology in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today both Intuit Quickbooks and Facebook Canada are also joining Digital Main Street as funding partners. Their support will help Digital Main Street expand their small business support programs that are dedicated to providing one-on-one support to main street businesses looking to digitally transform their operations.

Bike Share Toronto and CAA South Central Ontario bring back Free Ride Wednesdays in September

Today, Mayor John Tory was joined by Councillor James Pasternak, Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, Robin Oliphant, Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) Acting President and Rhonda English, Chief Marketing Officer, CAA South Central Ontario to announce the return of Free Ride Wednesdays in September.

Thanks to the new Bike Share Toronto - CAA South Central Ontario partnership, Bike Share Toronto riders will ride for free every Wednesday in the month of September. Riders can take out a bike for up to 30 minutes, return the bike to any station, and take out another bike for an additional free 30-minute ride.

Enforcement of City of Toronto Residential On-Street Permit Parking program to resume August 14 at midnight

Starting Friday, August 14 at midnight, permit parking enforcement on residential streets in Toronto will resume. Enforcement, as well as the renewal and issuance of residential street parking permits, had been paused due to COVID-19.

The period to renew existing, or purchase new, six and twelve-month on-street parking permits began on July 2 when the parking permit office resumed operation. It was extended to Friday, August 7 to maximize the window for residents. All requests for six and twelve-month residential parking permits should be submitted as soon as possible to ensure permits arrive before August 14.

New measures come into effect today for apartments and condominiums and food and drink establishments to help stop the spread of COVID-19

Beginning today, new measures come into effect that require masks or face coverings to be worn in common areas in apartments and condominiums and additional requirements for food and drink establishments to protect the health and safety of our communities by helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Last week, Toronto City Council voted in favour of a new temporary bylaw that requires masks or face coverings to be worn in common areas in apartments and condominiums and new requirements to be implemented for bars and restaurants through temporary provisions under Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 545, Licensing.

City of Toronto announces Family Well-Being Plan

Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto’s Family Well-Being Plan developed in partnership with community agencies and social service providers, to highlight the supports available to those who may be experiencing family violence during the pandemic.

Inspired by the provincial #HereToHelpON social media campaign, the City has partnered with the following agencies to develop and implement #HereToHelpTO to connect residents to the various social service agencies, programs and supports that are still available to children, youth and families experiencing violence, abuse or neglect during this time.

City of Toronto weekend update on services, amenities and ActiveTO

As the City of Toronto moves to Stage 3 tomorrow, July 31, additional amenities will safely and gradually reopen for everyone to enjoy.

COVID-19 continues to circulate in Toronto and it remains critical that residents continue to follow Toronto Public Health’s advice to stay home when ill, wash hands often, practise physical distancing and wear a face covering or mask in all indoor public spaces.

Toronto Public Health releases new socio-demographic COVID-19 data

Given Toronto's racial diversity, large number of newcomers, and high proportion of people living with lower-income, Toronto Public Health (TPH) launched important work to understand if Toronto residents were also inequitably affected by COVID-19. Today, TPH has released the findings and trends from recently collected individual-level COVID-19 case data on reported ethno-racial identity, household income, and household size. This information is key to understanding who is being impacted by the outbreak, and to inform public health actions.