April 23 - Update

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

Tell me something good! Do you have a story to share about yourself, a friend, a local business, or a neighbour in York South—Weston who has gone out of their way to support the community during this challenging time? I encourage everyone to email my office at councillor_nunziata@toronto.ca with their inspiring stories or to share them on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #yswcares.

The City has made available printable information cards and posters to help the public amplify messages about how to stay safe during COVID-19. Spread the Word! Print and post these freely!

An application has been submitted to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to authorize a cannabis retail store at 1542 Jane St, Unit 4. The application is open to public comment and any objections can be submitted to the AGCO by clicking here. The File Number to reference is 925442. The deadline to submit comments is May 7th, 2020.

Shakespeare in Action is running an online story-telling workshop for residents aged 55 and over in collaboration with the York West Active Living Centre. Using Shakespeare’s King Lear as a springboard, participants will receive guidance and tools to write compelling personal and fictional tales. The idea is to collect the stories and turn them into a community-based theatre production when social distancing is over. There are four sessions and they take place on Mondays at 10-11AM, beginning on May 4th. If you’re over 55, email Danna at York West Active Living Centre at danna@ywalc.ca to register. If you’re under 55 or want more information, email David at david@shakespeareinaction.org. More details are available on their website.

Some restaurants have started doing their own deliveries to avoid being charged fees by large delivery services. A new website has been created where those restaurants can list themselves so that residents can easily support local businesses who do their own deliveries. To post your business and to see the entire list, go to https://diydeliveries.ca/.

I’d like to include a reminder to please be a respectful neighbour when taking dogs out for a walk. This includes following the old poop n’ scoop method, disposing of waste in appropriate bins, not leaving any surprises on someone else’s lawn, and also keeping your pet on a leash.

Tonight marks the beginning of Ramadan and I'd like to wish everyone celebrating Ramadan Mubarak! Please find creative ways to stay connected with family and friends without visiting in person to celebrate.

Sincerely,

Frances Nunziata

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Here’s what you need to know today:

#YSWCARES

I mentioned it at the start, and I’ll mention it again… tell me something good! I want to hear stories about community care in York South—Weston. Share your stories about local residents or businesses that have gone out of their way to help our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Email me at councillor_nunziata@toronto.ca or post your stories on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #yswcares.

One month since State of Emergency declaration

Today marks one month since Mayor John Tory declared a State of Emergency in the City of Toronto following advice from Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health and the Office of Emergency Management. Over the past month, the City has acted and responded quickly to the pandemic, working together with other levels of government, agencies, corporations, businesses, and community organizations to ensure that the City is best positioned to stop the spread of COVID-19, while providing support to those who need it most. The Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health and the City have taken a number of critical actions during this time. For more information, please read the news release.

Update on enforcement activity

Enforcement of the City's physical distancing bylaw and the Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act orders is ongoing. Yesterday, the City received 459 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. Bylaw and police officers issued five tickets – bringing the total number of tickets issued since April 3 to 477. Bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 10,650 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures. The City also received 44 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open in contravention of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Since March 24, Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health have issued 64 tickets and 133 notices to non-essential businesses. As the weather warms, we're urging residents to remain at home, leaving only for essential reasons. To continue stopping the community spread of this deadly virus, we must reduce all contact with others as much as possible.

City of Toronto media briefings

The City’s media briefings are available on the City’s YouTube channel.

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.