The 2023 budget tabled by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Tuesday promised billions in dental care, GST rebates for low-income Canadians, and significant investments to build Canada’s clean economy—but no money to help cover Toronto’s $933 million shortfall from its 2023 budget (a deficit largely blamed on decreased TTC ridership and increased homelessness costs from
Toronto continues to be a city of neighbourhoods, and one of the places that this expression is best illustrated in the main street shopping strips that run through so many of these areas, from Leaside’s south Bayview strip to Little Jamaica on Eglinton and Thornhill village. These areas not only characterize and give life to
The Ontario government is offering the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose, which targets the Omicron variant, to all Ontarians aged 18 and over. As of today, the booster appointments are available for the most vulnerable populations, including: Ontarians aged 70 and over; residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and individuals living in
When Aaron started looking for a place to move into with his partner after moving back to Toronto from student housing in Kingston, he had no idea he would be fielding questions about the longevity of his relationship with his partner from landlords. Aaron, who requested his name be changed, spotted a unit he and
Wait times and flight cancellations persist at Toronto Pearson International due to COVID-19 restrictions and labour shortages, and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is asking that the government take further steps to reduce airport delays. In a media release, the GTAA warned that, in a few days, international passenger numbers are set to increase
On Monday morning, Toronto Mayor John Tory officially ended Toronto’s COVID-19 emergency declaration, first declared on March 23, 2020, in response to the pandemic. It was the first official emergency declaration in the history of the modern Toronto, according to a city press release. “While the City of Toronto is no longer operating under an
In a statement released this morning, the city of Toronto is reporting that Mayor John Tory tested positive for COVID-19. “I am thankful that I have been fully vaccinated and have the best protection possible against COVID-19. I know this also gives me the best chance at a quick recovery so I can be back
Ontario will expand eligibility for COVID-19 antiviral treatments and PCR testing to more high-risk individuals, in an attempt to increase the protection of the most vulnerable individuals and ensure hospital capacity remains stable. Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, made the announcement today at Queens Park (his first public briefing since early
As of Tuesday, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be required at most restaurants, gyms, and movie theatres in Ontario, although businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination. For now, vaccine requirements remain in place at long-term care homes and in health care settings. Capacity limits in all
Effective Jan. 31, at 12:01 a.m., Ontario will begin the process of easing COVID-19 restrictions, while maintaining protective measures (i.e., (enhanced proof of vaccination, and other requirements, which would continue to apply in existing settings). The announcement was made on Thursday afternoon by Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet. Ford stated that the evidence tells
On Monday, Health Canada approved Pfizer’s oral antiviral treatment, Paxlovid, to treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 in people 18 and older. Health Canada based its decision on clinical data from the Phase 2/3 trial (Evaluation of Protease Inhibition for COVID-19 in High-Risk Patients), which enrolled non-hospitalized adults aged 18 and older with confirmed
The Toronto Public Library (TPL) announced on Tuesday that it will temporarily close 44 branches as of Monday, Jan. 10, due to COVID-19 related staffing shortages. In a press release, the TPL noted that 52 of the largest and most-used library branches will remain open and staff from closed locations will be reassigned to these
With a scarcity of tests available and Ontarians desperate to get tested before holiday gatherings, a few people have been caught online trying to resell their free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for a quick buck. After catching wind of the scheme, the Ontario government announced they’ll be “tracking” down individuals, businesses and corporations attempting to
Now that we are nearly two years in, it’s fair to say that small businesses have borne the brunt of the pandemic. Recent findings by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business show that many continue to struggle and that one in seven independent retailers are at risk of closing. It is all hands on deck
The Toronto area real estate market has seen continually higher prices at an alarming rate, and it looks like that demand is extending outside of the GTA. Recent reports from Royal LePage note that prices are skyrocketing in the Southern Georgian Bay area, with median price appreciation more than doubling year-over-year. The Royal LePage Winter
A petition urging Ontario Premier Doug Ford to provide free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to every household in Ontario is gaining traction—as of publication, it has received over 1,500 signatures. The petition, created on Monday by Birgit Umaigba, notes that COVID-19 cases are rising by the day, and that research shows that rapid antigen tests
Ontario reported 959 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, an increase from the 780 cases reported Wednesday; the cumulative provincial case count now stands at 620,229. The province also reported eight more deaths (up from the 6 deaths reported the previous day), with a cumulative provincial total of 10,012 deaths to date. According to Health Minister
Ontario is reporting 927 new COVID-19 cases on Friday—it’s the first time since September that the case count is higher than 900, and a moderate increase from the 793 new cases reported last Friday. The cumulative provincial case count now stands at 615,197, with 599,399 cases resolved. The seven-day rolling average now sits at 711,
Ontario’s Ministry of Health will soon allow pharmacies to conduct COVID-19 tests on symptomatic individuals for the first time—as early as this week, reports suggest. In a press conference, Premier Doug Ford confirmed that PCR tests could be performed safely without putting other customers at risk, as there would be “protocols in place”, including masking
Does the colder weather have you itching to run full tilt into the arms of another human? For 20 months now, human connection has been precarious, with countless closures and stay-at-home orders thanks to COVID-19, forcing singles to weather the changing seasons alone. Now that vaccinations have introduced some sense of normalcy in our day-to-day
Ontario is reporting 480 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, a 14 percent increase from the 331 cases reported last Monday, but a minor decrease from the numbers reported the previous three days that were above 500. The seven-day rolling average now sits at 476, an increase from 362 a week ago. Of the 480 new
Ontario reported 563 new COVID-19 cases on Friday—the highest daily case count number the province has seen since Oct. 9. Reports show that the 7-day rolling average is now 404, up 13.7% from a week ago, which has some health experts worried that the province is heading in the wrong direction. #COVID19 in Ontario this
It’s not just you – traffic has gotten worse. According to The TomTom Traffic Index, Toronto’s traffic congestion has been steadily surpassing pre-pandemic levels. While the city is trying to do everything they can to mitigate the amount of traffic clogging our streets, Toronto’s not necessarily known for having clear streets in the first place.
Torontonians will soon be able to access drive-thru COVID-19 testing from the convenience of their car, a service that will ideally be one of the most expedient ways to get tested before travel. Go Rapid Test will offer rapid antigen test results in 15 minutes and PCR test results in under 24 hours, with no
