May 13 - Update

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

The new ActiveTO program is about making sure people have space to get around on sidewalks while respecting physical distancing. Locations are being prioritized by several factors including, but not limited to, population density, equity, access to greenspace, car ownership rates, and traffic volumes. The initial roll-out of ActiveTO's Quiet Street installations will include 50 kilometres of neighbourhood streets across the city. Additional locations will be considered thereafter. The following routes in York South—Weston will be adjusted:

Please be advised that Toronto Hydro is planning to rebuild and relocate the overhead and underground electrical system in the area of Weston Rd and Lawrence Ave W in preparation for the GO Expansion Electrification program. The expected project timeline in June 2020-July 2020. For the construction notice and contact info for the project representative, please click here.

Sincerely,

Frances Nunziata

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City-wide updates:

COVID-19 Emergency Benefit for People Receiving Social Assistance

The COVID-19 Emergency Benefit which was introduced as a one-time benefit in April 2020, has been extended and is now available in each month up to and including July 2020. This benefit is available for people receiving assistance from Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) who may have had additional costs related to COVID-19. This benefit will help cover the additional costs of emergency needs such as hygiene and personal protective supplies, cleaning supplies, non-medical transportation, or additional costs for staple foods. The amount is $100 for a single person and $200 for a family. For more information, please see this fact sheet on my website. Updated information on this benefit and TESS services is also available at toronto.ca/covid19

City partners with Ritual to support Toronto restaurants and food services

Ritual ONE provides restaurants and food services, such as grocers, butchers and bakeries with an easy way to accept digital orders from their own website and social media accounts. Onsite contactless digital ordering is also available. Customers will be able to choose between pickup and delivery. Businesses that sign up for Ritual ONE by June 1 will receive the service free for life and will not pay any commission or monthly subscription fees on Ritual ONE orders. Businesses enrolled in the City's ShopHERE program – which was launched Monday – will also be eligible for Ritual ONE and a lifetime exemption from commission and subscription fees. Toronto independent businesses and artists can sign up for their free online ShopHERE store at digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere. For more information on Ritual ONE please read the news release.

City of Toronto provides update on key construction projects

Over the next couple weeks, the City of Toronto will begin construction on a number of key projects to renew and improve aging infrastructure. With traffic volumes on Toronto’s roads down between 45 and 65 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City recently announced that construction is moving forward this year and work will be accelerated on as many important projects as possible, including:

• Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation – Jarvis Street to Cherry Street, eastbound on-ramp at Jarvis Street replacement

• Bathurst Street from Front Street West to Fort York Boulevard, bridge and TTC track rehabilitation

• Church Street at Richmond Street East, watermain and TTC track replacement

 More information can be found in this news release.

City Hall Live performances move online to support artists

City Hall Live Online, in partnership with Unison Benevolent Fund, is working to support Toronto artists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the music series, which features two performances a day, Monday to Friday from noon to 1 p.m., until June on Facebook Live. More than 100 local artists will be compensated for their 30-minute virtual performances.

City of Toronto update on COVID-19

Toronto Public Health continues to see new infections in the city. There are 7,944 people infected with COVID-19 in Toronto, an increase of 169 since yesterday. There are also 5,655 people who have recovered from the virus, an increase of 206 since yesterday. Additional case status information can be found on the City’s reporting platform. Get the latest health advice on the City’s website.

COVID-19 Enforcement

The COVID-19 Enforcement Team is continuing their important work across the city, educating residents on the City's physical distancing bylaw and provincial Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act orders. The City received 34 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open. Since March 24, 132 tickets and 275 notices have been issued to non-essential businesses. There have been no complaints related to new retail business curbside pickup.

Yesterday, the City received 65 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks or squares. Bylaw officers issued four tickets – bringing the total number of tickets issued since May 1 to 59 tickets. This month, bylaw and police officers have spoken to nearly 2,300 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.

Residents are reminded that parks amenities, including parking lots, remain closed at this time. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times in City parks.

City of Toronto statement on collision involving a City vehicle

A pedestrian has died following a collision that involved a City vehicle. I am heartbroken by this news today and extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victim that has passed away. A City employee was injured in the incident and has been taken to hospital.

The City is fully cooperating with the Toronto Police and Ministry of Labour investigations. It will also conduct its own internal investigation to better understand what took place. The City remains committed to ensuring the safety of the public and its employees.

For the latest updates from the City of Toronto, please click here.

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

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