The City of Toronto thanks the Toronto Police Service for their swift action in an arrest early this morning relating to weapons charges of a resident at 55/65 Broadway Ave. site – a City of Toronto housing program. The City also thanks its staff at this site for alerting police to the alleged presence of a gun on the property.
Weapons of any kind are not permitted in City shelters. The safety of all Toronto residents, including those residing in the shelter system, City staff and the community is the City’s first and foremost priority. The fact that staff and police responded swiftly is a testament to the priority safety takes at the City of Toronto. It also speaks to the system working as designed: when public safety is at risk, swift action is taken.
Since mid-March, when COVID-19 began to circulate in Toronto, the City has moved more than 3,500 people throughout its emergency shelter system, including more than 1,500 individuals who have been transitioned to permanent housing, to achieve physical distancing of two metres between shelter beds, in accordance with Ministry of Health guidance for congregate living settings. The City took these urgent actions in order to save lives and protect vulnerable people, who are at greater risk of COVID-19 related harms.
The site at 55/65 Broadway Ave. was set up as an interim housing program. Since April 29, clients have been moved from encampments to this site. Case management and housing search supports have been provided, resulting in permanent housing for 14 clients.
The City will vacate this site at the end of August and is working with all current residents on permanent housing plans. Clients will be assisted to move to an alternate temporary location in another neighbourhood if permanent housing cannot be secured before the shelter closes.
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.