Item - 2020.CC20.2

That:

1. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission to maintain service capacity to meet demand, adjusting specific routes to address congestion, social equity and support social distancing.

2.  City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission to work with the Amalgamated Transit Union to develop a possible redeployment plan and any necessary emergency leave provisions, and City Council request that, prior to any decision on temporary involuntary layoffs or changes to compensation, the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission report to the Toronto Transit Commission Board on a plan to re-establish service to pre-COVID-19 levels including benchmarks and phases for re-entry.

3. City Council request the Federal and Provincial governments to immediately provide operational support to the Toronto Transit Commission to maintain service levels during the COVID-19 pandemic and as ridership is restored so that service and staffing can continue to meet demand and comply with any Public Health guidelines for transit systems that may be recommended.

4.  City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, to assess and evaluate all preventative public health regulations necessary to be implemented in City facilities as part of the recovery and restart plan; such plans should survey global best practices where public health recovery measures have been implemented and could include working with the Province to facilitate strategic screening processes and testing in City facilities and comprehensive modifications to public places to ensure physical distancing.

5. City Council request the Province of Ontario and the Federal Government to amend the newly announced Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program to help Toronto's small business and not-for-profit communities remain viable in the wake of the COVID-19; specific amendments to the program should include:

a.  broadening eligibility criteria to include tenant businesses and not-for-profits that have experienced significant revenue losses that are greater than 50 percent (instead of the announced 70 percent) and who still who meet the criteria of less than $50,000 per month in rent;

b.  broadening eligibility criteria to include landlord structures common to the not-for-profit sector, such as head leasees operating community hubs in public sector properties, to ensure that not-for-profit organizations and tiered landlord structures are eligible for the program;

c.  encouraging landlords and tenants to work co-operatively with regard to May rent until the program is operational in mid-May; and

d. ensuring the stackability of programs targeted at small business and not-for-profits.
 

6.  City Council request the Province of Ontario to immediately institute a temporary moratorium on any commercial rent default evictions as a moratorium is only currently contemplated for participants in the Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program, which may leave many tenants unable to access relief as landlords can choose to not participate in the program.

7.  City Council direct the City Manager to include the following principles in negotiations with the Provincial and Federal governments:

a. a legal and financial relationship that acknowledges the City's increased role and responsibilities, and ensures ongoing annual revenue for meeting these responsibilities;

b. recognition of shared responsibility for meeting the service and support needs of vulnerable and socially marginalized residents;

c. laying the foundation for climate change mitigation and resilience;

d. a permanent robust public health system; and

e. recognizing the key role local governments play in economic stimulus.

8.  City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Medical Officer of Health to pursue opportunities to provide, where possible and under the advice of public health and through the City-wide recovery planning process, more space for pedestrians, cyclists and public transit riders to allow for better physical distancing.

9.  City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to City Council on the possibility of fast-tracking projects within the 10 Year Capital Plan for Vision Zero and cycling infrastructure.

10. City Council request the Province of Ontario to continue to support Toronto’s COVID-19 homelessness and supportive housing response by providing proactive testing in all shelters and respites, additional Personal Protection Equipment for frontline shelter staff, the establishment of a regional Greater Toronto Area plan for isolation and recovery spaces for those in the shelter and supportive housing system, and to provide additional funding for the provision of permanent supportive and affordable housing opportunities. 

11.  City Council request the Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health to provide the guidelines required by Parks, Forestry and Recreation in order to permit the allotment gardens to re-open in a timely manner to allow for spring planting.

12. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, upon receipt of these guidelines, to ensure the required stakeholder communication on the guidelines takes place and then immediately issue permits for the allotment gardens.

13. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management to consult with the Medical Officer of Health, the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and local Councillors regarding the expanded deployment of temporary sanitation and washing stations in priority areas.

14. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health,  to provide, similar to the Daily Shelter and Overnight Service Usage, regular updates on progress made on the action plan to rapidly house and place in hotel accommodations many in the shelter system including: 

a.  updated on the deployment of temporary sanitation and washing stations in priority areas;

b.  updates on the number of those living in shelters and encampments who have been rehoused in housing or hotel accommodations;

c.  any efforts to acquire additional hotels or housing units; and

d. updates on the number of wellness checks being completed by staff in encampments to ensure people are able to access testing.

15. City Council request the City Manager to report to the next meeting of City Council on draft recovery strategies.

That City Council request the City Manager to report to City Council six months after the COVID-19 pandemic with lessons learned and what the City can do to get ready for a future pandemic.

Councillor Cressy, rising on a Point of Order, stated that the Speaker should inform Members of Council who is next to speak.

Councillor Fletcher, rising on a Point of Order, stated that the Speaker should inform Members of Council how many Members are on the list to speak.