Last updated: November 24, 2020 at 3:42 p.m.
A number of initiatives are underway to help support Toronto’s recovery and rebuild.
Partnering to Support Recovery & Rebuild
Enabling Safe Recreation & Child Care
- Developed plans for the safe return to school for children
- SwimTO, a quick-start program that expedited the opening of the City’s beaches, outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads
- CampTO, an initiative designed to provide a creative and safe camp experience for campers 6-12 years of age
- Worked to safely reopen licensed child care centres
- ActiveTO, an initiative to ensure people have space to get around while respecting physical distancing
- DriveInTO allows for temporary drive-in entertainment experiences across Toronto this summer and will include films, concerts and sports broadcasts
- ParksPlayTO and Summer in the 6IX are two new, free drop-in, outdoor recreation programs for children and youth
Supporting Businesses & Community Organizations
- Provided two rounds of funding ($4.97 million and $1.9 million) from the TO Supports Investment Fund to community-based agencies supporting vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19.
- Extended its partnership with Ritual to launch Open For Business – a collaboration with Ritual and DoorDash to help local businesses across Toronto increase their commission-free online sales.
- Launched ShowLoveTO to help Toronto businesses, neighbourhoods and residents safely recover and rebuild
- Provided $1.7 million in property tax relief for 45 live music venues impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Expanded Digital Main Streets to help local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic
- RapidTO priority bus lanes on Morningside Avenue to improve transit reliability and capacity
- Guidelines and resources for the reopening of businesses, workplaces and community settings
- Launching of online business licensing and permit application to reduce the need for face-to-face interaction and allow business owners or operators requiring new licences or permits to fill out an application, submit documentation, and complete payment in one convenient online space
- Economic & Culture Recovery Advisory Group, to provide objective advice to help establish how the City can best support businesses and culture organizations to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and the resulting recession
- Planning for the restart of City services and the reopening of the economy
- New funding opportunities for individuals and not-for-profit organizations to develop projects as part of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art in 2021
- Reopened farmers’ markets across the city
- CurbTO initiative to help businesses, services, and community agencies that are open support physical distancing outside and inside their buildings
- CaféTO program, which aims to provide more outdoor dining areas to help restaurants and bars create physical distancing for patrons on patios during the summer months
- Supporting local businesses and accelerating small business recovery in communities across the country through the RBC-led Canada United campaign
- Working with large downtown employers to extend working from home: Check out the current list of employers who are continuing to support employees, where possible, to work from home until September at the earliest
List of Employers Supporting Extended Work From Home
- Bank of Montreal
- Canada Life
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
- Centennial College
- City of Toronto
- Deloitte Canada
- EY Canada
- Fidelity Canada
- George Brown College
- Humber College
- Intact Financial Corporation
- KPMG Canada
- Manulife
- National Bank
- OCAD University
- PwC Canada
- Raymond James Ltd.
- Rogers Communications
- Royal Bank of Canada
- Ryerson University
- Scotiabank
- Seneca College
- Sun Life Financial
- TD Bank
- University of Toronto
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
- Yamana Gold Inc.
- York University
