211 is your community connection. It is the number to call for information about human services – health, social and community services. 211 connects you with an information specialist who can provide information and referrals 24 hours a day. For example, you can call 211 if you are a newcomer to Canada and are looking for employment training or you are concerned about a family member with an addiction and need information about available programs. You can call 211 if you’ve lost your wallet and don’t know where to replace your identification or you’re looking for marriage counselling or even need to know where the nearest after-hours medical clinic is located. You can also visit the 211 Toronto website.
311 is a simple, three-digit phone number that you can use to get information about City of Toronto services or programs, or to make a request for service. Residents, visitors and businesses no longer have to try to find the right division or individual at the City to get information or help. Callers can get information about everything from Toronto Public Library hours of operation, to reporting a missed garbage pick-up, to finding out where the closest flu clinic is located.
Customer service representatives are available to answer your questions or fill a service request 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you can also email 311@toronto.ca or visit toronto.ca/311 for assistance.
Accessibility barriers impact everyone from seniors and people with disabilities to families with young children using strollers. I am committed to working closely with residents to address accessibility issues within Ward 22 and the City of Toronto as a whole.
I believe that greater awareness of accessibility barriers is a great first step towards improving quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. It is important that landlords, tenants, and business owners are aware of the issues and legislation surrounding disability accommodation.
The following websites and contact information will be helpful to residents seeking more information about accessibility and the rights of people with disabilities. Most accessibility legislation is provincial, but the City of Toronto can assist residents with accessible transit and other services. Please feel free to contact my office for assistance with municipal accessibility issues.
To inquire about City of Toronto bylaws relating to accessibility, call 311 or email 311@toronto.ca.
City of Toronto – Office of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights:
http://www.toronto.ca/diversity/index.htm
416-392-8592
TTY: 416-338-0889
Multilingual Services, call: 311
Centre for Independent Living in Toronto:
Phone: (416) 599-2458
Direct Funding Hotline: 1-800-354-9950
Fax: (416) 599-3555
TTY: (416) 599-5077
Email: cilt@cilt.ca
Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations: (416) 921-9494
http://www.torontotenants.org/
Ministry of Community and Social Services – Accessibility Directorate of Ontario:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/index.aspx
General Inquiry: 416-326-0207
TTY: 416-326-0148
Toll Free: 888-520-5828
TTY Toll Free: 800-335-6611
Fax: 416-325-9620
Human Rights in Housing: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/human-rights-housing-overview-landlords
Toronto Transit Commission – Accessibility: http://ttc.ca/TTC_Accessibility/index.jsp
Toronto Star: Metrolinx hopes riders flock to half-off UPX
‘Bold change’ needed, agency boss concedes — but effect on bottom line is unknown.
February 23, 2016
Tess Kalinowski
Toronto Star
A passenger exits the UPX terminal towards Union Station. Photo: STEVE RUSSELL / TORONTO STAR
The province has slashed the fares on the struggling Union Pearson Express, conceding — nearly nine months after its launch — that there were too few riders to meet the train’s targets.
“We should have started with a lower price to introduce more people to (UPX). We had to build more awareness faster,” said Metrolinx chair Robert Prichard after a special Tuesday board meeting where the dramatic price reductions were unanimously approved.
It remains unclear, however, what the implications of lower prices will be on the UPX’s break-even prospects, the amount of provincial subsidy it will require, or even how the new fares — about half the original ticket costs — were arrived at.
South Bayview Bulldog: Meeting hears of a Midtown Hub at Davisville School
February 16, 2016
South Bayview Bulldog
A meeting was held at Greenwood College School at Davisville and Mt. Pleasant Tuesday night to discuss possible concepts and challenges related to a proposed construction of a Midtown Hub on the property of Davisville Public School. The meeting was organized by Josh Matlow (Ward 22) and members of the Midtown Hub Advocacy Group. There were about 50 members of the public present including South Eglinton Ratepayers and Residents Association (SERRA).
SCHOOL PROPERTY
The meeting heard that negotiations for the purchase of about three-quarters of a hectare (or nearly two acres) of the present school site are ongoing. Although snug, it a valuable piece of Midtown property which might fetch $7 to 8 million. It is money that must be found through the auspices of City Hall and public subscription. The land is now occupied by the sprawling footprint of the old Davisville School. The meeting heard that the Toronto and District School Board might break ground for the school in 2020. The intent of the City’s Forestry, Parks and Recreation Department is a Midtown Hub which complements the school and is used by students, but also provides recreational facilities for the public, both youthful and senior.
Metroland: Will Pearson-Union Express get derailed?
February 12, 2016
The Mississauga News, Metroland Media
On paper, the Union Pearson Express (UPX) linking downtown Toronto to Pearson Airport looked like a win-win for taxpayers.
All world-class cities have a direct link between their downtowns and major airports.
Besides, UPX would help alleviate some of the congestion that makes getting to and from Pearson such a huge hassle for everyone.
But six months after the launch of the $456 million project, it has been a bust.
Metro: Toronto needs to get its priorities straight on infrastructure: councillors
From potholes to different subway lines, city council can't agree what to spend federal infrastructure dollars on.
February 7, 2016
Jessica Smith Cross
Metro News Toronto
Toronto's over-burdened transit system could be a potential recipient of federal infrastructure funding.
If Toronto wants billions from the feds, it’s time to stop arguing, local politicians say.
The city is due a slice of $60 billion in federal infrastructure money, but the city’s oft-divided council will need to first decide what to spend it on.
“The clearer council is on Toronto’s priorities, the more likely we will be to receive funds for them,” said Coun. Josh Matlow. “For far too long there have been bickering and divisive debates on what priorities Toronto has.”
Toronto Star: Metrolinx reconsidering Union Pearson Express fares as ridership sinks
Ridership has dropped since the Union Pearson Express launched in June, the latest numbers show.
February 5, 2016
Tess Kalinowski
The Toronto Star
Union Pearson Express ridership levels were down significantly from the summer, hitting a low of 65,593 riders in November, 13,000 fewer passengers than the October high of 79,000. Photo: STEVE RUSSELL / TORONTO STAR
Toronto’s new airport train is struggling to attract riders amid continuing criticism that the $456 million Union Pearson Express is simply too expensive.
On Friday, Metrolinx, the provincial agency that runs the train, said it will consider price adjustments among other options for building ridership.
The standard one-way adult fare on UPX is $27.50 but riders paying with a Presto card can board for $19.
Globe and Mail: City proposes Queen Street route for Toronto’s downtown relief line
January 29, 2016
Oliver Moore
The Globe and Mail
Plans for downtown Toronto’s first subway in decades are taking shape, with the city’s planning department urging that it run below Queen Street.
Details of the long-awaited downtown relief line – a route that has been discussed in various permutations for a century – emerged on Friday. According to information obtained by The Globe and Mail, staff have concluded that the best approach involves a connection from Pape Station near Danforth Avenue to the area around City Hall.
Although the plan is primarily about diverting passengers from the overcrowded Yonge subway line, a briefing for councillors made clear the value of the new line to the city centre as well. According to a draft staff presentation, the subway plan would “fill [a] rapid transit void in the core” and “recognizes that downtown is 24/7.”
The City has introduced a new parking ticket dispute process for parking meter and/or pay-and-display machine offences. It’s now easier to dispute your parking ticket if you have a valid receipt. Click here for more information.
The Toronto Meeting Management Information System (TMMIS) is your online window into the activities of City Council and its committees. Here, you can get up-to-date information including meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, and reports.
You can watch each Council meeting live online with Rogers TV.
- If you are a homebound person receiving care through a Primary Care Provider, Family Health Team, Home or Community Care or Community Support Services or Agencies, please contact your provider to learn whether they are able to offer in-home vaccination. Many teams are beginning to organize or being supported to offer in-home vaccination and will begin to reach out to their patients and/or clients in the coming weeks. If your provider is not able to offer at-home vaccination, they will place your name onto a list for at-home vaccination.
- If you are a homebound person who does not have a Primary Care Provider, Family Health Team, Home or Community Care or Community Support Services, please contact the Toronto Seniors Helpline. The Toronto Seniors Helpline will be available to support homebound people who are 18-65 years old, as well as seniors. They can be contacted at 416-217-2077 or by web chat following instruction at https://torontoseniorshelpline.ca/web-chat/
Each member of Council is deemed to be a commissioner for taking affidavits. The associated duties and powers are set out in the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.17. Section 2(3) of the Act gives members of Council, by virtue of office, the authority to take affidavits on any matter within the geographic limits of the City of Toronto. A commissioner for taking affidavits is not a notary public or guarantor.
The following are examples of the types of requests that are typically presented to members of Council and which they may sign if they wish:
Adult or child change of name application (Change of Name Act) Insurance documents affidavits:
- Motor vehicle transfer
- Lost cheque or savings bond affidavits
- Affidavit of service
- Affidavit on land transfer tax form
- Affidavit of Responsibility (sponsoring family visiting Canada)
- Passport – Statutory Declaration in lieu of guarantor
- Permanent Residency Card
Please contact our office by phone at 416-392-7906 or email councillor_matlow@toronto.ca if you are is need of this service.
To rapidly expand screening and ease pressures on hospital emergency departments, a number of dedicated COVID-19 testing centres have been established across Toronto. Please click here to learn more about who should visit these centres and where they are located.
To review the daily status of cases in Toronto from Toronto Public Health, please click here. Kindly note that the data shown here may differ from other sources, as data are extracted at different times.
If you want to make your views known about a matter being considered by a committee of Council you can submit comments or request to speak. Your comments will become a part of the public record on that matter and will be made available for everyone to see.
Emergency Services
Call If You’re Having Difficulty Breathing or Experiencing Other Severe Symptoms
24-hours, 7 days a week
Telephone: 911
Telehealth Ontario
Call If You Develop Symptoms
24-hours, 7 days a week
Telephone: 1-866-797-0000
Toronto Public Health Hotline
8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Telephone: 416-338-7600
TTY: 416-392-0658
Email: PublicHealth@toronto.ca
311 Toronto
Outside City limits: 416-392-2489
Call if You Have Questions About City Services.
Telephone: 311
TTY: 416-338-0889
Email: 311@toronto.ca
211 Toronto
Helpline and Online Database of Ontario’s Community and Social Services
Telephone: 211
TTY:1-888-340-1001
Text: 21166
Email: 211@toronto.ca
Toronto Seniors Helpline
Interpretation Services Available
Mon-Fri: 9:00am-8:00pm
Sat-Sun-Statutory Holidays-9:00am-6:00pm
Telephone: 416-217-2077
Long Distance: 1-877-621-2077
Gerstein Crisis Centre
Adults 16+ Experiencing Mental Health & Substance Abuse
24-hours, 7 days a week
Telephone: 416-929-5200
Distress Centre of GTA
Anyone in Distress or Need of Emotional Support
24-hours, 7 days a week
Telephone: 416-408-4357
Text: 45645
Connex Ontario
Addiction, Mental Health & Problem Gambling
24-hours, 7 days a week
Telephone: 1-866-531-2600
https://www.connexontario.ca/
Kids Help Phone
Free & Confidential Counselling for Youth
24-hours, 7 days a week
Telephone:1-800-668-6868
Toronto Emergency Central Intake for Shelters
24-hours, 7 days a week
Telephone: 416-338-4766
Email: cfi@toronto.ca
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/
Grocery Gateway
Order Groceries Online from Longos
24-hours, 7 days a week
Telephone: 1-877-447-8778
https://www.grocerygateway.com/store/groceryGateway/en/
Instacart
Order Groceries Online
24 hours, 7 days a week
Telephone: 1-888-246-7822
https://www.instacart.com/
Inabuggy
Order Groceries Online
24-hours, 7 days a week
Telephone: 1-844-41-BUGGY (28449)
Email: support@inabuggy.com
https://www.inabuggy.com/
COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub
Before the pandemic, we were advocating together for programs to help our youth. Now, during the COVID-19 crisis, we want our community’s youth to get through this physically, and mentally, well. Here’s a helpful COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub that youth can access virtually.
Unison Health Telephone Counselling and Support
For the safety of community members and our clients and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Unison Health is now offering the following services over the phone:
mental health counselling: Call Amanda Costa, Mental Health OutreachWorker at 416-645-7575 ext. 2050 or send an email to amanda.costa@unisonhcs.org
help to apply for income benefits, such as CERB: Call 416-787-1661 ext. 3240, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm Leave a voice mail message with your name and phone number.
help to get food: Call 416-787-1661 ext. 3341, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm Leave a voice mail message with your name and phone number.
If you are worried, sad, or scared, you are not alone. Unison’s counsellors are here to help you. Connect with Unison by using one of the phone numbers listed above. Someone will return your call as soon as possible. Note: staff are working from home and your call may be returned from a blocked number.
The City of Toronto has created a Family Wellbeing Plan which helps to support those that may be experiencing domestic violence and/or child abuse during this time. The best resource for services and supports is the City of Toronto Webpage, which can be found here: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/violence-at-home/.
On this page you will be able to find a few things:
- Agencies that are available 24/7 (and virtually) that can support those experiencing intimate partner violence or child abuse. It lists all of their contact information as well as links to their respective organization’s website
- Links to resources around legal support, housing, shelter, mental health, and financial support for those that are leaving their abusive situation
- Information and strategies for how to identify if intimate partner violence is taking place, safety tips, and ways you can support if you know someone that is experiencing abuse.
Please note that options in other languages are available by clicking the “Translate” button at the bottom of the page.
