News and Updates

East Toronto businesses welcome rent relief, ban on commercial evictions but more support still needed

June 22, 2020 By Ali Raza, Beach Metro News

Local small business owners have some rent relief following weeks of uncertainty as Toronto councillors pushed the provincial and federal governments to act.

Commercial tenants facing difficulties with rent have some breathing room now after the province announced a moratorium on commercial evictions on June 8 – but only until Aug. 31. Meanwhile, the federal government’s Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) has its own issues, councillors said.

City of Toronto preparing residents and businesses for Stage 2 reopening on Wednesday

The City of Toronto is preparing to oversee the safe restart of some services and partial reopening of many businesses following today’s Province of Ontario announcement that Toronto can join the rest of the province in Stage 2 of the provincial reopening on June 24.

On June 8, the Province announced the implementation of Stage 2 of their “Reopening Ontario” framework, lessening some restrictions under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders. While Toronto residents and businesses were permitted on June 12 to increase social gatherings to 10 people, open places of worship at 30 per cent capacity, and begin planning for July and August summer camps, the city has not been able to join much of the province in a wider reopening under Stage 2. With today’s announcement, Toronto will now move to this next stage.

My Statement on Policing in Toronto

As a long-time advocate for reducing and reallocating the police budget towards social and community programs and mental health, of course I am planning to support the proposed Matlow/Wong-Tam motion that has been circulating online. I want to make this very clear as I have been hearing from a number of people who are uncertain about my position. I have always voted and worked to address the longstanding issues with police accountability and spending in our city.

Toronto Public Health provides expanded guidance to help prepare more businesses and locations for a safe reopening

Toronto Public Health has expanded the number of guidance documents available to help local businesses and community organizations to prepare for safe reopening when the city receives provincial approval for Stage 2 reopening. These documents will provide guidance on adjusting operations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

There are 13,588 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 86 cases since yesterday. There are 284 people hospitalized, with 75 in ICU. In total 11,397 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 202 cases since yesterday. To date, there have been 998 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform at https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto/.

Data shows ActiveTO weekend road closures make room for thousands of people to enjoy physical activity along Toronto’s most popular trails

Today, Mayor John Tory announced that data shows ActiveTO major road closures are making room for people to be physically active along Toronto’s busiest and most popular trails. Each weekend, these closures make space for residents to be outside, physically active and practise physical distancing while enhancing their overall wellbeing.

City staff collected and verified data from Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, the first weekend that all of the closures (Lake Shore Boulevard West and East, as well as Bayview Avenue) were put in place. The data confirmed that the routes are a very popular option for people walking, running and on bikes who need space along Toronto’s busiest trails.

City of Toronto opens registration for CaféTO plan to safely increase outdoor dining space for local restaurants and bars

Today, Mayor John Tory announced that the City of Toronto is opening online registration for CaféTO.

A City staff report on CaféTO, scheduled for consideration at Executive Committee on June 22, proposes the City take quick action to make way for additional safe outdoor dining spaces for local restaurants and bars. A simple online registration form and guidebook for the proposed program is now available at http://www.toronto.ca/cafeTO.

New Sound Stages Under Construction in Toronto

Expansion to Studio City site to include new Jumbo Stage

June 15, 2020 – Toronto, ON – Today, Studio City Toronto – the company that operates the former Showline Studios complex in Toronto’s Port Lands – began construction on three new sound stages at 915 Lake Shore Blvd. East. The expansion project will double the size of the facility, which currently includes 32,000 square feet of studio space, increasing the City’s capacity to produce feature films, television series and commercials.

Statement on Anti-Black Racism

Like many of you, I am deeply disturbed and I mourn with you the murder of George Floyd, the tragic death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, the shooting of Chantel Moore in New Brunswick and the continuing pattern of police violence against Black, racialized and Indigenous people.

At the same time, I am inspired by the spontaneous and ongoing peaceful uprising of thousands and thousands of so many young and determined Torontonians who are standing up for our highest values and saying: This Must Stop.

City of Toronto working to reopen farmers' markets across the city, St. Lawrence Market outdoor market opens Saturday

Today, Mayor John Tory announced that the City of Toronto is working with market organizers to safely reopen farmers' markets usually located on 22 City sites.

Farmers’ markets are valued members of the food supply chain and provide Torontonians with access to fresh fruits and vegetables, encourage residents to get outside and be physically active, and support the local agriculture sector.

City of Toronto to offer CampTO programs starting July 13

The City of Toronto will begin to offer summer camps across the city starting on July 13 as part of its CampTO initiative, following the Province of Ontario announcement that summer day camps can operate during the Province’s Stage 2 reopening.

CampTO will offer more than 32,000 registered camp spaces for children between the ages of 6 and 12, over eight weeks of camps at approximately 150 locations across the city.