Item - 2020.EX16.27

The Executive Committee:

1.  Requested the City Manager to report to City Council through the Executive Committee by January 2021 on lessons learned from this year’s CafeTO, CurbTO and ActiveTO programs, and, in consultation with residents and businesses, to include recommendations for modifications to these programs for 2021.

I wanted to extend my sincere thank you to all the staff who were involved in the creation and successful implementation of various programs - including ActiveTO, CurbTO, and CaféTO - that made maximum use of our roadway this summer as we moved into the restart and recovery stages of our ongoing response from COVID-19.

These programs have taken an incredibly difficult situation and created ways to help residents and businesses cope with this unprecedented pandemic. I am proud and thoroughly impressed with the amazing speed that these complex programs were implemented by our City staff.

Together and with staff across multiple divisions, we have created more than 9,000 metres of new patio space through CaféTO across the city, helping 760 restaurants across the city, creating 44 public parklets, and helping 58 business improvement areas.

The approved plan for cycling lanes has implemented the largest one-year expansion of on-street cycling lanes ever in Toronto for a total of approximately 40 km of on-street cycling lanes for accelerated installation this summer, including approximately 25 km of new temporary ActiveTO bikeways.

We have used our major streets like Lake Shore Boulevard and the reduced car traffic patterns to open the streets to people and activities, drawing residents to enjoy the best of Toronto at a safe distance. We have implemented more than 60 km of Quiet Streets across Toronto, encouraging a friendlier environment for shared space amongst modes of travel.

And finally, we installed CurbTO to better maximize walking space along sidewalks, resulting in over 200 curb lane pedestrian and temporary parking pick up zones.

It is increasingly clear that our fight against COVID-19 will continue into 2021 and the need to continue to encourage physical distancing and accessible outdoor activity as well as and increased space for outdoor dining will likely continue into next spring and summer.

Given the success of these programs and undeniable benefit they had in many Toronto neighbourhoods, I wanted to ensure we move quickly to take the lessons learned from our experience this summer and establish best practices and program guidelines for 2021.

I believe this will help residents, businesses, and organizations as they plan their 2021 activities.

With this in mind, at the upcoming Executive Committee, I will be moving a motion asking City staff to report back by January, 2021 with lessons learned from this year’s programs, and, in consultation with residents and businesses, recommendations for modifications to these programs for 2021.

Thank you for your attention to this matter so that we can continue to ensure that Toronto is doing everything possible as a municipal government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and all of its devastating effects.