May 7 - Update

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

A survey has been developed for commercial tenants and landlords in partnership with the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) to obtain feedback on the Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program. There are two surveys – one for commercial tenants and one for commercial landlords. The feedback from these surveys is important in helping to gauge effectiveness of the program and what changes should be advocated for.

Click here to complete the tenant survey. Click here to complete the landlord survey. The surveys will close on Monday, May 11th at noon.  

The provincial government wants to hear from residents, businesses and organizations to help inform the reopening of our province once it’s safe to lift restrictions following COVID-19. An online survey has been launched as part of the consultation, which seeks feedback on the impacts of COVID-19 on personal finances, business supports, and government relief measures. The survey will be open until June 2020 and the insights will be used to help inform the province’s restart and recovery plan. Click here to access the survey. 

The Province has released a plan to resume scheduled surgeries and procedures. A comprehensive framework has been developed to help hospitals assess their readiness for the resumption of scheduled surgeries and procedures, while maintaining capacity to respond to COVID-19. Read the full news release as well as the framework here.

Toronto Hydro is planning to rebuild the aging underground electrical system on a section of Queens Dr. between Elm St. and Pine St. to help improve service reliability. The rebuild includes the replacement of existing electrical cables and ducts within the city-owned property. This notice will be delivered to residents in the impacted area. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Jackson at 416-542-3366. The timeline for this project has been revised with an expected completion date of September 2020. 

Sincerely,

Frances Nunziata 

VE Day 75 – May 8

Tomorrow marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day, which commemorates the official end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8, 1945. It was a joyful day celebrated by many in Canada, Europe and other Allied Nations around the world.

The City of Toronto will virtually recognize this significant milestone through online tools and symbolic gestures including:

• Placing a wreath at the Old City Hall Cenotaph

• Raising the Canadian flag and a special Toronto flag that flew at Juno Beach

• Lighting the Toronto Sign and City Hall tower lights in red, white and blue – representing three colours commonly represented in many Allied nations’ flags

• A virtual commemoration page on Toronto.ca with Mayor Tory’s video message to veterans, Proclamation, history of VE Day, Toronto Archives’ photo exhibits, a virtual Golden Book of Remembrance and additional resources

Toronto residents are encouraged to commemorate this day as a day of celebration and resilience by remembering the veterans and raising or displaying the Canadian flag at home. More information about the City’s virtual commemoration can be found at: https://www.toronto.ca/VEDay75.

Details on Public Washroom and Sanitation Services at City-Operated Facilities

The City opened several City-operated facilities with showers, washrooms, and drinking water for all individuals in need of these services. Detailed information on these services is now available on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services web page, under ‘Washroom and Sanitation Services’. 

City launches ActiveTO plan to provide more space for physical distancing as part of the city's restart and recovery

Yesterday, the City of Toronto announced high-level details of the ActiveTO plan that will provide more space for pedestrians, cyclists as well as transit riders to allow for better physical distancing as part of the city's restart and recovery from COVID-19.

ActiveTO is about making sure people have space to get outside, get around while respecting physical distancing, and - when it comes to the larger bike lane projects - that we have a safety valve when it comes to the TTC. Initiatives under the program include:

·         Creating quiet streets – identifying local routes with traffic calming measures that would enable local car traffic only and opening up space for pedestrians and cyclists,

·         Active transportation on major streets – closing some major roads adjacent to major trails or recreational attractions where crowding on weekends and holidays has been observed, and

·         Expanding cycling network – expanding the cycling network and installing temporary active transportation lanes, as well as expanding and accelerating key parts of the council-approved Cycling Network Plan, that connect the cycling network, as well as bikeways that mirror major TTC routes.

More information is available in the City’s news release, and further details about the ActiveTO plan will be announced next week.

Wildlife in Toronto

With reduced activity and traffic volumes in Toronto, there have been increased sightings of wildlife in the city (including wild turkeys in York South—Weston!). The public is reminded to never interfere with, handle or feed wildlife. Wildlife that lose their fear of humans can pose dangers to people, as well as themselves. Dog owners are also reminded to keep their dogs on a leash at all times. If you see injured, sick or very young wildlife, call 311. More information is available at toronto.ca.

City to distribute PPE to frontline shelter staff and second COVID-19 recovery site to open for homeless

Yesterday, the City announced that starting next week, we will distribute 35,000 masks weekly to City and sector partners for frontline shelter staff. This is on top of personal protective equipment (PPE) we’ve already distributed and $6.1 million for PPE, infection control & wages for partner agencies.

As well, the City of Toronto with University Health Network, Inner City Health Associates and other partners are opening a 2nd recovery site for homeless who are COVID-19 positive. This site opens Friday with up to 250 spaces along with current 200-bed recovery site. Wrap-around health, harm reduction and peer supports are provided. This program is unique integrated model of care for City’s most vulnerable to recover in dignified way. 

Bylaw enforcement updates

New changes have been made to the ‘Bylaw Enforcement’ section of the COVID-19: Changes to City Services web page.

City of Toronto update on COVID-19

As of this afternoon, there are 6,914 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto. There are 397 cases hospitalized, with 102 in intensive care units. A total of 4,364 people have recovered from this virus. We continue to see COVID-19 deaths; to date, 522 people in Toronto have died from COVID-19. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.

Toronto Public Health is actively exploring ways to understand if COVID-19 is affecting certain groups in the community more so than others. The preliminary findings of the socio-demographic and ethno-racial data suggest that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been more commonly reported in areas of the city which have a higher proportion of low-income earners and recent immigrants. More in this News Release.

Update on enforcement activity

The COVID-19 Enforcement Team is continuing their important work across the city educating residents on the City's physical distancing bylaw and the Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act orders. Enforcement is ongoing, where necessary. 

Yesterday, the City received 110 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. Bylaw and police officers issued one ticket – bringing the total number of tickets issued to 625 since April 3. Bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 14,300 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures. The City also received 40 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open. Since March 24, Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health have issued 127 tickets and 241 notices to non-essential businesses.

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.