May 8 - Update

Dear Friends and Neighbours, 

I am alarmed by the number of complaints I am receiving from residents about neighbours setting fires in backyards. Please note that setting any kind of fire in your yard (open air burning) is illegal in Toronto. This is incredibly dangerous, and you are putting yourself and your property, as well as your neighbours at risk. Open air burning includes bonfires, fire pits, sky lanterns and the use of various types of outdoor fireplaces (also known as a “Chiminea”). Although outdoor fireplaces can be purchased at retail outlets throughout the city, it does not mean open air burning is permitted for their use.

I have been receiving a lot of questions regarding property tax payments. I’d like to remind everyone that the 60-day grace period for property tax, utility bill payments and late penalties ends on May 15. There are important changes to instalment amounts and due dates for customers on all payment schedules. All customers will receive a mailed notification of their revised interim bill due dates. Final tax bills will be mailed in mid-May as usual.

Property taxes for the remainder of 2020 will be due on the following dates:

• Two-instalment plan: August 4

• Six-instalment plan: June 1, July 2, August 4, September 1 and October 1

• Eleven-instalment plan: June 15, July 15, August 17, September 15, October 15, November 16 and December 15.

More information is available here.  

Construction of upgrades to Keele-Mulock Parkette are proceeding as planned. The Contractor has mobilized on site and work is anticipated to begin imminently. The entire project is anticipated to be completed in approximately eight weeks. In order to ensure that residents are updated on the project, notice signs have been installed at the park on the site fencing. 

The contract for play structure improvements at Haverson Park has been awarded and the contractor is anticipating a start date in late summer (July/August). The City has been advised that the manufacturing, fabrication and installation of components required for the project have been impacted and delayed by COVID-19, which may impact the project timeline. I will provide an update on this as more information becomes available. 

Please be advised that contrators will be doing work on Joseph St. saw cutting for concrete work again tomorrow. They will be working in the morning only again, from 9 AM to noon.

I would like to once again remind residents to be weary of scams related to COVID-19. Please do not give out any personal information, especially banking info, over the phone. Please also be careful with emails containing suspicious links (my update emails don’t count!) and do not provide any of your information. If you receive calls or emails that purport to be from any level of government, please check the government’s website or phone a representative to verify authenticity. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Frances Nunziata 

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City announces plan to support retail stores re-opening for pickup and delivery service

As the Province of Ontario moves towards re-opening businesses, services and public spaces in stages, the City of Toronto today announced its plan to support retail stores as they re-open for curbside pickup and delivery on Monday. 

Starting tomorrow, Saturday, May 9, hardware stores and safety supply stores will be permitted to open for in-store payment and purchases. On Monday, May 11, all retail stores with a street entrance can also begin to offer curbside pickup and delivery. Garden centres and nurseries are already permitted to be open for in-store payment and purchases and are operating under the same guidelines that grocery stores and pharmacies have been following. For more information including examples of how business owners can help keep employees and customers safe, please read this news release.

In April, the City of Toronto launched CurbTO to identify sidewalk hot spots and pinch points to help reduce sidewalk crowding in front of essential businesses and support increased demand for pickup and delivery services. This program will be expanded to support additional retail locations throughout Toronto. Learn more about CurbTO at toronto.ca/covid19BusinessTO.

Update on City's Development Review, Permit and Inspection Services

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic the City of Toronto has worked hard to support development in Toronto, while protecting the health and safety of residents and employees. The City has rapidly implemented a broad range of business process changes including technology deployment, staffing placement and work flow measures as well as actively monitoring application backlog and intake, to be able to safely deliver the services that the development industry counts on now and in the future. Please click here for the most recent update provided to the development industry.

City of Toronto commemorates the 75th anniversary of V-E Day

Today, the City of Toronto commemorates the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day), which officially marked the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8, 1945. It was a day celebrated by many in Canada, Europe and other Allied Nations around the world. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consideration for public health and safety, the City is recognizing this significant milestone through online tools and symbolic gestures. 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.

City of Toronto update on COVID-19

As of yesterday afternoon, there are 7,114 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto, including 4,717 recovered cases and180 new COVID-19 cases. We continue to see COVID-19 deaths; as of yesterday, 532 people in Toronto have died from COVID-19. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform. Residents are reminded that the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face as much as possible, and maintaining a physical distance of two metres from others. In a retail environment where physical distancing cannot be maintained and individuals are in close contact, a cloth mask or face covering is strongly recommended to keep germs from spreading to others.

Update on enforcement activity

Enforcement of the City's physical distancing bylaw and the Province’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders is ongoing. Yesterday, the City received 103 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks or squares. Bylaw and police officers issued four tickets – bringing the total number of tickets issued since May 1 to 36 tickets. This month, bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 1,800 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.

Enforcement officers continue to encounter individuals with off-leash dogs in parks. Off-leash dog parks are a park amenity that are closed by provincial order. Dog owners are reminded that dogs should be kept on-leash at all times until off-leash areas reopen. The City also received 15 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open. No tickets were issued to non-essential businesses yesterday. Since March 24, 127 tickets and 247 notices have been issued to non-essential businesses. 

Access to washroom and sanitation services at City facilities

The City opened a number of facilities with showers, washrooms, and drinking water for all individuals in need of these services. Details on these services, including locations, hours of operation and corresponding amenities, are available on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services web page.

Second COVID-19 recovery site to open for homeless

A second COVID-19 recovery site is opening today for individuals experiencing homelessness who are COVID-19 positive through a unique partnership between the City of Toronto, University Health Network (UHN), Inner City Health Associates (ICHA) and community health partners. The new downtown site has a capacity for up to 250 individuals who test positive for COVID-19. More information is available is the City’s news release as well as in the attached Councillor Update on the second recovery site for homeless individuals.

Wildlife in Toronto

With reduced activity and traffic volumes in Toronto, there have been increased sightings of wildlife in the city. 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.

Arts@Home brings Toronto’s arts sector to your home

The City is a proud partner of Arts@Home, a vibrant new hub connecting Torontonians to arts and culture. Arts@Home brings Toronto’s arts sector together for you, delivered straight to your home. Whether your goal is creation, recreation, learning or appreciation, visit artsathome.ca to explore and engage with meaningful artistic experiences across many forms of expression.

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.