News and Updates

City of Toronto launches SwimTO plan to help Torontonians cool down this summer

Today, Mayor John Tory announced SwimTO – a quick-start program that will expedite the opening of the City’s beaches, outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads. City staff are preparing now so that outdoor aquatic amenities can be opened when Toronto enters Stage 2, to help people cool down during hot summer temperatures.

The plan will help ensure that all Torontonians can safely access outdoor aquatic recreation and cool down during hot summer temperatures as Toronto begins to reopen. With the approach of hot summer weather and the extended closure of many indoor public spaces, it’s vital that Torontonians to have opportunities to cool down outdoors. When permitted, the City plans to open its outdoor aquatic amenities to prevent heat related-illnesses while continuing to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Statement on Province's Commercial Eviction Ban

Since April 1^st, Main Street businesses in Toronto have been strongly urging the provincial and federal governments for commercial rent relief and a ban on commercial evictions. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, small businesses in Toronto-Danforth, across Toronto and across Ontario have been asking for help.

Six weeks ago on April 24^th the federal government announced the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small business, however the portal to apply did not open until May 25^th. Small businesses were left on their own to pay rent for May and June with no relief or protection.

City to open 14 Emergency Cooling Centres during Heat Warnings

With the arrival of warmer temperatures, the City of Toronto is sharing an update on its Heat Relief Strategy for the 2020 hot weather season, in response to COVID-19, to ensure that emergency heat relief opportunities are available and accessible to those who may need them.

Many facilities that were part of the City’s 2019 Heat Relief Network of cool spaces across Toronto are closed due to COVID-19. For this reason, the City’s plan for heat relief this year has been modified and includes 14 Emergency Cooling Centres that will open across Toronto during Heat Warnings.

City of Toronto weekend update on services, amenities and ActiveTO

The City of Toronto continues to safely and gradually open services and amenities for residents to enjoy this weekend, following guidance from Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health.

With nice weather approaching, residents are encouraged to head outside in their local neighbourhood for fresh air and exercise, but are reminded to follow public health advice to practise physical distancing or wear a face covering or non-medical mask to protect others when in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

City of Toronto launches CaféTO plan to help create more outdoor space for local restaurants and bars

Today, Mayor John Tory launched CaféTO a quick-start program that will make it easier for restaurant and bar owners to open patios, to expand them, and to access additional space for physical distancing and for that matter revenue generation during the summer months ahead.

The program will provide more outdoor dining areas by identifying space in the public right-of-way and expediting the current application and permitting process for sidewalk cafés and parklets.

Small businesses won't survive without immediate action as many landlords not applying for CECRA

For immediate release June 4, 2020

Toronto, ON – A new survey of small business tenants and landlords across Toronto, Ottawa and Guelph shows that many landlords are not applying for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program, leaving many small business owners without support.

Small businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, forced to either close or offer curbside pick-up or delivery only. Their revenue has decreased drastically, but they still have to pay rent. On April 24^th the federal government announced CECRA for small business. A month later, on May 25^th, the portal to apply finally opened, much too late for many.

Toronto Public Health COVID-19 case and contact management work critical for re-opening Toronto

Since January, the City of Toronto has faced the most significant and complex infectious outbreak our city has ever experienced. As our local response to the spread of the virus continues, Toronto Public Health's case and contact management program remains one our most critical tools to curb this virus spread.

There are 11,652 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 139 cases since yesterday. There are 378 people hospitalized, with 83 in ICU. In total, 8,948 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 165 cases since yesterday. To date, there have been 845 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/.

City of Toronto Modular Housing Initiative progressing quickly; initial site locations identified

Within a month of receiving Council approval, the plan to expedite delivery of Phase 1 of the City of Toronto’s Modular Housing Initiative is well underway and the program is on track to provide stable, affordable, high quality housing and support services to 100 individuals experiencing homelessness by the fall of 2020.

A key component of the expedited delivery is site identification. City and CreateTO staff have been evaluating City-owned land across Toronto using criteria that included local demand for affordable housing, development potential of the site, local infrastructure, access to public transit, access to health and other community services, as well as zoning and other bylaw considerations. Following the rigorous evaluation process, the following two sites are being recommended for Phase 1 of the Modular Housing Initiative:

Construction Notice #16: Port Lands Flood Protection

Click here to read the full notice.

Traffic Notice

Partial Lane Closure on Lake Shore Boulevard May 28-June 3 From Wednesday, May 28 to Wednesday, June 3, there will be partial lane closures on Lake Shore Boulevard between Don Roadway and Carlaw Avenue. Closures will take place between the hours of 10pm-5am. This is to allow crews to take water samples to support ongoing design work.

City of Toronto to reopen parks washrooms

The City of Toronto will begin to open some of its approximately 200 parks washrooms this week across the city following the Province of Ontario’s amendments to an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

The reopening will occur in two phases. The first phase will have roughly 50 washroom sites opening by June 6, followed by the remaining locations by mid-June. A list of locations and health guidelines for washrooms are available on the City Services webpage.