April 14 - Update

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

I have received several reports of illegal dumping throughout York South—Weston. It appears that with reduced numbers of people using roads, parks and trails, some individuals are taking the opportunity to try and quietly dispose of waste in open spaces. This behaviour is very disappointing. 

I have reported the locations that have been brought to my attention for cleanup. Unfortunately, due to reduced levels of City Staff working throughout this pandemic, I have been informed that some of the dumping sites may take additional time to address. My office will be following up to ensure that this is taken care of. 

Additionally, I kindly ask everyone to do their part to keep our streets clean and safe and to please avoid littering. City garbage and recycling bins are still being emptied and if you are out for a walk or grabbing essentials, please dispose of any garbage and recycling in an appropriate bin. Please properly dispose of masks, gloves, and tissues in garbage bins and do not discard items on the ground. 

I have also received some reports of residents having backyard fires over the past few days. I would like to remind everyone that open air burning, including backyard bonfires and fire pits, is not permitted within the City of Toronto. These fires can become dangerous very quickly, particularly in windy weather, and they create a nuisance and health hazard to neighbours. Please refrain from lighting any fires outdoors. 

Toronto Fire is seeing a 17% increase in fires across Torontoand unattended cooking and careless smoking are the leading causes. With Torontonians spending so much more time at home, I’d like to remind everyone to never leave cooking unattended and be very careful if you smoke in your home. 

Today the Province of Ontario extended the Declaration of Emergency for another 28 days, lasting until May 12. Premier Doug Ford also mentioned that schools will not reopen on May 4. He stressed that the school year isn’t cancelled entirely, but no date has been provided yet on when students could potentially expect to return to the classroom.

The Green P parking lot on the southwest corner at Keelesdale Station(Keele St & Eglinton Ave W)will be closed tomorrow at 5 PM until Thursday, April 16 at 5 PM. Metrolinx will be placing a crane in the parking lot to facilitate the removal of decking at the station. The construction notice is available here.  

Stay safe and stay home!

Sincerely,

Frances Nunziata

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Here's the key information you need to know today:

Watermain Rehabilitation Construction to Continue

I have been receiving a lot of questions regarding Toronto Water’s Watermain Rehabilitation Program in Weston and whether the COVID-19 pandemic will impact this work. As indicated on the list of essential workplaces issued by the Province of Ontario, City-led infrastructure construction has been deemed essential and will proceed. This includes Watermain cleaning and structural relining work on Rectory Road from Holley Avenue to Weston Road.

City of Toronto contractors must adhere to guidelines issued by public health authorities and the Province of Ontario to help stop the spread of COVID-19. For a special notice on this work, as well as Q&As regarding the scope of work and info on COVID-19 construction guidelines, please click here.

Supports for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Today, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, General Manager of the City’s Shelter, Support & Housing Administration (SSHA), Mary-Anne Bédard, University Health Network Executive Director of Health and Social Policy, Dr. Andrew Boozary, and Inner City Health Associates (ICHA) Medical Director, Dr. Andrew J. Bond, provided an update on existing and forthcoming actions taken to protect individuals experiencing homelessness from COVID-19.  Read the full news release.

City of Toronto Supports Launch of Distantly.ca to Help Main Street Businesses

Today, Mayor John Tory highlighted the launch of an online donation platform that allows community members to make direct donations to small businesses to help lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This platform allows customers to continue to support local main street businesses impacted by non-essential closures, such as coffee shops, restaurants and hair salons. Read the full news release.

If you are a business that would like to register or a neighbour who would like to lend their support, check outwww.distantly.cahere. 

Update on Personal Protective Equipment Supply

The City of Toronto is committed to ensuring our frontline staff, including emergency responders, those working with individuals experiencing homelessness, and staff in long-term care homes, have the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to stay safe and protect their health and the health of the community. Chief Pegg provided a detailed updated on the City’s PPE supply and projections for City PPE use. The City’s Emergency Operations Centre includes a PPE Task Force responsible for monitoring and allocating the City’s PPE, projecting PPE needs, implementing PPE conservation strategies, and investigating alternative PPE options and procurement strategies. Read the full news release.

Grass Cutting and Landscaping 

As a reminder, grass cutting and landscaping businesses are not listed as essential under the Provincial order. The long grass and weeds bylaw continues to apply during the COVID-19 emergency, so members of the public are asked to do their best to maintain their property. Where residents are unable to cut their own grass due to age or health concerns, bylaw officers will use discretion and not enforce the bylaw unreasonably. Neighbours are also encouraged to lend a helping hand if possible.

For the latest updates from the City of Toronto, please clickhere.

For the latest updates from the Federal Government, please click here. 

For the latest updates from the Province of Ontario, please click here.