Item - 2020.CC22.3

Tracking Status

City Council adopted this item on June 29, 2020 with amendments.
See also By-laws 541-2020, 368-2021

CC22.3 - Report to City Council on COVID-19 Actions and Council Directions

Decision Type:: ACTION

Status:: Amended

Wards:: All

City Council Decision

City Council on June 29 and 30, 2020 adopted the following:

1. City Council enact a temporary By-law requiring the person or organization who owns or is responsible for the operation of a facility or business to have a policy to ensure masks or face coverings be worn by the public in the enclosed public spaces under their control, subject to appropriate exemptions for individuals who are unable to wear a mask or face covering for medical reasons, children under two years old, and other reasonable accommodations; the policy shall include corresponding signage and training for staff on the requirements of this By-law.

2. City Council direct that the By-law come into force one week after being enacted, and expire at 12:01 a.m. on the first day after the completion of the first Council meeting after the summer recess (currently scheduled for September 30 and October 1, 2020), unless extended by Council.

3. City Council request the Medical Officer of Health to review the Medical Officer of Health's recommendations regarding masks and face coverings on a monthly basis, and to report if any changes are required before September 30, 2020.

4. City Council request the Province to enact a complementary mask regulation applicable within the City of Toronto, including on all public transit systems.

5. City Council recommend the Government of Canada enact a complementary mask regulation applicable to enclosed public spaces under federal jurisdiction within the City of Toronto.

6. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary Bill and apply for set fines to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, or technical amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, in order to give best effect to the Medical Officer of Health's recommendations for the protection of the public as described in the supplementary report (June 30, 2020) form the Medical Officer of Health.

7. City Council authorize the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 to the supplementary report (June 23, 2020) from the City Solicitor.

Confidential Attachment 1 to the supplementary report (June 23, 2020) from the City Solicitor is now public and can be accessed under Background Information (City Council).

City Council Decision Advice and Other Information

City Council considered Items HL17.1 and CC22.3 together.

Confidential Attachment - Advice or communications that are subject to solicitor-client privilege.

Background Information (City Council)

(June 23, 2020) Report from the City Manager on Report to City Council on COVID-19 Actions and Council Directions and Attachment 1 (CC22.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-148201.pdf
(June 23, 2020) Supplementary report from the City Solicitor on Non-Medical Mask Regulation and Guidelines (CC22.3a)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-148254.pdf
Confidential Attachment 1 - made public on July 7, 2020
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-148255.pdf
(June 30, 2020) Supplementary report from the Medical Officer of Health on the Use of Masks or Face Coverings in Enclosed Public Spaces (CC22.3b)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-148577.pdf

Communications (City Council)

(June 15, 2020) Letter from Henry Gerstel (CC.Main.CC22.3.1)
(June 26, 2020) Submission from Ansuya Pachai (CC.Supp.CC22.3.2)
(June 26, 2020) Letter from Hillary Marshall, Vice President Stakeholder Relations and Communications, Greater Toronto Airports Authority (CC.Supp.CC22.3.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-106612.pdf
(June 27, 2020) E-mail from June Rogers (CC.New.CC22.3.4)
(June 30, 2020) E-mail from Jane Wilson (CC.New.CC22.3.5)

Motions (City Council)

1 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Joe Cressy (Carried)

That:

1. City Council authorize the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 to the supplementary report (June 23, 2020) from the City Solicitor.

2. City Council adopt the following recommendations in the supplementary report (June 30, 2020) from the Medical Officer of Health [CC22.3b]:

1. City Council enact a temporary bylaw requiring the person or organization who owns or is responsible for the operation of a facility or business to have a policy to ensure masks or face coverings be worn by the public in the enclosed public spaces under their control, subject to appropriate exemptions for individuals who are unable to wear a mask or face covering for medical reasons, children under two years old, and other reasonable accommodations. The policy shall include corresponding signage and training for staff on the requirements of this bylaw.

2. City Council direct that the by-law provide that it shall come into force one week after being enacted, and expire at 12:01 a.m. on the first day after the completion of the first Council meeting after the summer recess (currently scheduled for September 30 and October 1, 2020), unless extended by Council.

3. City Council request that the Province enact a complementary mask regulation applicable within the City of Toronto, including on all public transit systems.

4. City Council recommend the Government of Canada enact a complementary mask regulation applicable to enclosed public spaces under federal jurisdiction within the City of Toronto.

5. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bill and apply for set fines to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, or technical amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, in order to give best effect to the Medical Officer of Health's recommendations for the protection of the public as described in this report.

2 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Mayor John Tory (Carried)

That City Council request the Medical Officer of Health to review the Medical Officer of Health's recommendations regarding masks and face coverings on a monthly basis, and report if any changes are required before September 30th, 2020.

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended (Carried)

Point of Order by Councillor Joe Cressy

Councillor Cressy, rising on a Point of Order, stated that the supplementary report from the Medical Officer of Health regarding masks had been posted on Item CC22.3.