We are ready to create more safe space for cyclists and pedestrians. Well-planned cycling routes, including along subway lines, will provide a much-needed relief valve for our transit system, support our #VisionZero road safety plan, and allow for space to physically distance.
Most of the proposed initiatives in this report are quick-start installations that safely and temporarily re-purpose curb lanes, using paint, signage, and temporary barricades – similar to initiatives we have seen in cities around the world as they reopen their economies.
As part of the City’s focus on Main Street revitalization in the wake of #COVID19, staff are proposing to create more public space and patios in addition to this new active transportation infrastructure.
I want to reassure businesses that City staff will be reaching out to work with the local BIA offices to finalize all designs well before they are installed. This feedback will be critical before any changes are made.
Bikes do bring business and in an era where people, more than ever, want to support local businesses, our push for more space for pedestrians, cyclists and patios will, I believe, make a positive difference.
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Just met with Chief @jamesramertps for another update on the work @TorontoPolice are doing to prepare for any possible 'convoy' protests.
Police took action today to close some roads around Queen's Park out of an abundance of caution.
I let Chief Ramer know that I support him 100 per cent in doing everything police can to keep our city safe and to avoid the situations we have seen in other cities.
As I said this morning, peaceful, respectful protests are an important part of the Canadian way of life.
But they must also be viewed alongside the rights of other residents and businesses to go about their lives peacefully and safely. We cannot accept a state of affairs which sees one group's rights exercised in a way that rolls over the rights of others.
We all have a right to protest but abusing that right in order to harass people outside a hospital and spread misinformation about vaccines in the middle of the pandemic is unacceptable and beyond the pale.
It’s unfair to our healthcare heroes and everyone trying to attend hospitals for treatment.
As Mayor of Toronto, I absolutely condemn anyone taking part in this so-called protest - you are doing nothing to help people, to protect the progress we have made reopening our city, or make sure we bring this pandemic to an end.
Today, as we mark 20 years since the devastating September 11 attacks in the United States we remember the lives tragically lost and honour the brave first responders who heroically rushed towards danger on that fateful day.
My thoughts today are with the thousands of innocent people who went to work that day and never returned home, and of course they all had families and friends and loves ones who were left behind.
This was the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil with nearly 3,000 victims including 24 Canadians – many who were connected to Toronto.
It's totally unacceptable for people under the guise of protest to disrupt Toronto restaurants and other businesses and mistreat and harass their customers.
This is bad behaviour and I cannot say enough how unacceptable it is in our city.
Elected officials don't direct police enforcement but I do believe there does come a time when protest crosses the line into mischief and harassment. That is one of the challenges of policing but I did bring it to the attention of @TorontoPolice Chief @jamesramertps today.
I continue to be disappointed and dismayed by the rhetoric and the outrageous antics of those with extreme anti-mask, anti-lockdown, and anti-vaccine views.
Masks save lives and help protect people, including young children who can't get vaccinated.
I want to thank the local community, City staff and the Province for working together to come to a much better outcome for the future of the Dominion Foundry Complex.
The Province has committed to conserving the cultural heritage value of the property and has taken into account feedback from the community and the City of Toronto.
This path forward has ensured the outcome that I always had hoped could be achieved here - we ensure more affordable housing is built and at the same time address community concerns around heritage and public consultation.
For restaurants who are seeing this I know it will be tough. This advice will unfortunately cause hardship for restaurants who are already struggling to survive.
Restaurants will still be able to serve people on patios and offer takeout and delivery – and I encourage all Toronto residents to support their local restaurants as much as they possibly can during this terrible time.
I talked to @CAFreeland this morning and she confirmed they are working to launch a program to help hospitality businesses among others through these tough times as soon as possible.