Further to your inquiries regarding the homeless shelter at the Delta, I am asking for your understanding and patience as we go through this difficult time. Vulgar language in communication with my staff will not be tolerated. As many of you are aware, I have family members who reside in your community. I am aware of the difficulties and I have frequently visited the area.
The City set up the temporary program at the Delta Hotel as part of the requirement to meet the Ontario Ministry of Health and Toronto Public Health guidelines for physical distancing as part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The temporary shelter program at Delta Hotel is currently operated by our partners – Homes First Society, Kennedy House and Eva’s Initiatives.
The City is working hard to ensure the residents of the shelter are good neighbours. There are patrols 24 hours a day by what’s known as the Community Safety Team, dressed in yellow vests, who will engage with clients off property and address safety concerns, such as discarded needles. The Community Safety team can be reached through One Community Solutions by telephone (24/7) at 647-688-8475 and/or 647-688-8927 and by email at securedbyus@gmail.com. Please feel free to reach out to them if there is a safety issue in your community you feel needs to be addressed.
Members of the Community can also reach out via telephone directly to Homes First at 647-455-0334. This line is answered directly by shelter staff, who can assist with dispatching the Community Safety Team. If they are unable to provide immediate assistance or information, they may request your contact information to provide further, timely follow-up. For less-urgent community concerns or to engage in problem solving, please contact Ryan Evershed, Community Engagement Supervisor at (647) 455-1552 or Ryan.Evershed@homesfirst.on.ca.
During a conference call this morning, my staff, the partner stakeholders and City staff discussed various ways to provide a safe environment for the community. Updated information will be provided in the near future with respect to further initiatives.
Registration for City of Toronto CampTO programs begins tomorrow for Etobicoke/York and Scarborough districts and on Thursday for remaining districts. The City is offering summer camps across Toronto beginning July 13 as part of its CampTO initiative, following the Province of Ontario announcement that summer day camps can operate during the Province’s Stage 2 reopening.
Funded by PetSmart Charities® of Canada and donations from Toronto residents, the City of Toronto is providing assistance to pet owners in under-resourced communities and those facing homelessness, who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A $30,040 grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada has provided 240 pet owners with gift cards to purchase pet food and supplies, such as cat litter and pee pads for dogs.
As of 11:30 a.m. today, lifeguards are on duty at six of Toronto’s swimming beaches. Lifeguards will supervise swim areas from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. With the hot summer weather and extended closure of indoor public spaces, it’s important for Torontonians to have opportunities to cool down outdoors.
Toronto’s beaches have remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Beaches were not closed under Province of Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The City’s beach water quality testing program, which includes water sample analysis by Toronto Public Health, and lifeguard supervision will ensure people can swim safely at Toronto beaches. More information on beach water quality testing is available at http://app.toronto.ca/tpha/beaches.html.
The six swimming beaches opening today are:
Bluffer’s Park Beach (Blue Flag)
Cherry/Clarke Beach (Blue Flag)
Kew-Balmy Beach (Blue Flag)
Marie Curtis Park East Beach
Sunnyside Beach
Woodbine Beach (Blue Flag)
The four Toronto Island Park beaches will open for swimming on July 1. Rouge Valley Beach is inaccessible, and a supervised swim program will not operate there this summer.
While visiting a beach or park, residents must practise physical distancing and avoid crowding.
Toronto beaches and parks provide many opportunities for recreation, for escaping the summer heat and for enjoying the calming effect of nature. Toronto boasts some of the best swimming beaches around. Eight of Toronto’s 11 beaches have been awarded Blue Flag certification, meeting high standards for water quality, environmental management and education, safety and services. These beaches are perfect for taking a swim during the hot summer months. Each day, park staff groom beaches, empty waste bins and use a tractor-mounted magnet as required to pick up metal items, in addition to the manual collection of larger items. People can keep beaches clean by properly disposing of waste and ‘packing out’ if bins are full. More information about the City’s swimming beaches is available at www.toronto.ca/beaches.
Parents and caregivers are reminded to supervise children at all times and stay within an arm’s reach of children who are in or near the water. Swimming without the supervision of a lifeguard or outside designated swim areas is not recommended. More information on Toronto beaches is available at www.toronto.ca/beaches or by calling 311. More information about swimming in the city is available at www.toronto.ca/swim.
The City of Toronto today announced the 1,000th death due to COVID-19 and sends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends for their loss. This tragic milestone is a reminder that we must all continue our efforts to fight COVID-19 and protect people in our community.
Today, Mayor John Tory announced that data shows ActiveTO major road closures are making room for people to be physically active along Toronto’s busiest and most popular trails. Each weekend, these closures make space for residents to be outside, physically active and practise physical distancing while enhancing their overall wellbeing.
Toronto Public Health has expanded the number of guidance documents available to help local businesses and community organizations to prepare for safe reopening when the city receives provincial approval for Stage 2 reopening. These documents will provide guidance on adjusting operations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The City of Toronto today issued an inaugural social bond offering of $100 million. Toronto is the first government in Canada to establish a Social Debenture Program, furthering its leadership in sustainable finance, and promoting positive and equitable socioeconomic outcomes.
The City of Toronto is opening online registration for CaféTO. A City staff report on CaféTO, scheduled for consideration at Executive Committee on June 22, proposes the City take quick action to make way for additional safe outdoor dining spaces for local restaurants and bars.
Toronto Water’s comprehensive basement flooding prevention public education campaign launches today. The campaign strategy is to create both awareness and action – awareness of the possibility of basement flooding, followed by practical tips on what homeowners can do to help prevent basement flooding. The campaign will run for seven weeks. Please see the attached WaterSource for more information.
