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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Following an extensive series of meetings we've held this week to review what can only be described as alarming results and trends in our city, @epdevilla today urged the Government of Ontario to take further action to stop the spread of #COVID19. The following public health recommendations were made to the Province today:

1. Prohibit indoor dining at restaurants and bars. The reality is socializing in bars and restaurants is contributing to significant exposures and outbreaks and we need to do something to stop it.

This morning I announced that I will be leading City Council in advocating for more support for Toronto's restaurant industry. As I said before, we are doing everything possible to ensure the industry is supported. /1 The city's restaurants and bars are vital businesses in our neighbourhoods and have been hit hard by the ongoing pandemic. /2

I am proud to proclaim “Orange Shirt Day” in Toronto. Today is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the survivors of residential schools and remember those who died in the school system. #OrangeShirtDay #OrangeShirtDay is an opportunity for local governments, schools and communities to come together and declare “every child matters" and to take action to ensure that is a reality.

I also want to reassure the restaurant and hospitality industry that we are doing everything possible to support the industry. I spoke to @cafreeland this afternoon on the matter of support for the restaurant and hospitality industry. /1 It was an extremely positive conversation during which she encouraged me to remind people, including those in the restaurant and hospitality industry of the following words contained in the recent speech from the throne: /2

Today, we saw an alarming number of new cases of #COVID19 in the city. I know people are scared and I share their concern about this resurgence. /1 We are asking Toronto residents to recognize the alarm bell is ringing and to take action now in their own lives that will help stop the spread and flatten the curve again. /2

Today, as part of the City of Toronto’s ongoing response to COVID-19, Medical Officer of Health, @epdevilla is issuing four Sec. 22 orders under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to close establishments to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in our city. /1 These orders will be effective once they are served, and Toronto Public Health will work with these operators to ensure that when they reopen, they do so safely. /2

I am deeply concerned that two more nooses were found on a construction site at Michael Garron Hospital. This anti-Black racism, this blatant hatred and threat of violence, has no place in our city. Over the past few weeks, I have been working alongside the construction companies and the construction unions not only to address the ongoing issues of anti-Black racism found within the industry but to demonstrate our willingness to work together.

Today, I joined @PaulaFletcherTO at the new Studio City expansion site. This project will add 70,000 square feet to the existing site, which will result in a total of 150,000 square feet of sound stages, production offices, wardrobe suites, and stage support areas. As Toronto becomes a top destination for film and television, our focus is on ensuring there is adequate space for productions to come here and create.

Based on public health advice the city announced a number of city permitted events won't be going forward up to and including New Year's Eve in Nathan Phillips Square. /1 I want to applaud organizations like the @TOSantaParade who are working on a way to offer up the annual event differently this year rather than cancel it altogether. /2

As we face this resurgence of #COVID19 in our city and across Canada, I want to be clear with Toronto residents that we are doing everything we can as a city government to save lives, protect public health and keep our economy open. /1 That is why we are working with @epdevilla and @TOPublicHealth along with the provincial and federal governments to address this resurgence tactically including in four key areas. /2

Today, the province announced it will lower the limits on public gatherings to 25 people outside and 10 people inside in Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa. /1 I want to thank the provincial government for responding directly to our request for stricter restrictions on social gatherings. /2

A thread on my comments at today’s COVID-19 update. We have all seen the numbers of new cases of #COVID19 increasing in our community, particularly among younger people. /1 While analysis is still being carried out the evidence points to social gatherings – people getting together with friends and extended family, particularly indoors. People are breaking their social circle of ten people and they're becoming infected with #COVID19. /2

Today, I joined Minister @cathmckenna to announce the launch of the TTC’s latest electric bus model. The addition of this third model to the TTC’s fleet will make the TTC home to the largest fleet of electric buses in North America. The fleet of 60 all-electric buses that was announced today was made possible thanks to a $140 million joint investment by the @cityoftoronto and the Government of Canada.

Our Automated Speed Enforcement cameras issued more than 22,000 tickets during the first month of operation. This data tells a frustrating story but I’m confident it will ultimately show over time a change in behaviour. These cameras are up and running for #BackToSchool. Right now, it does show the need for automated speed enforcement across our city, and particularly near our school communities. For those who hate getting a ticket or dislike these cameras, I have some simple advice to avoid getting a ticket, simply follow the posted speed limit.

This morning I convened a meeting with senior executives from the building and construction industry to discuss ways to tackle anti-Black racism. In recent months, Toronto has witnessed a number of disturbing incidents of anti-Black racism on construction sites. We discussed this morning the searing hatred and the very real threat symbolized by a noose, and this underlined the horrific, unsettling and unacceptable nature of these events.