| June |
| June 6 - GTHA cities and regions ready to implement regional plan to support Ukrainian refugees arriving in Canada |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area met to discuss a number of current issues of concern.
During the meeting, the Mayors and Chairs discussed how they continue to see a decline in COVID-19 activity across the GTHA. This is good news and it comes at an important time as we see the return of so many spring and summer events and traditions.
There continues to be a concern about some of the directly COVID-19 related financial shortfalls experienced by our municipalities. We are heartened by the commitment made by the newly elected Government of Ontario to allocate additional COVID-19 relief funds if they can renew a partnership with the Government of Canada. Discussions with the Government of Canada continue but have thus far been inconclusive.
We believe it is time for a tri-government meeting to discuss this matter as the combination of the calendar, the inability of municipalities to incur a deficit and our limited revenue raising capabilities make dealing with these large emergency related expenses almost impossible.
We also discussed work underway to support the arrival of Ukrainians fleeing their homeland. Today's discussion largely focused on the work underway to support the arrival of Ukrainian refugees. The Mayors and Chairs are all committed to working together – with the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and many other organizations including the Canadian Red Cross – to help people coming to our region from Ukraine.
The GTHA regional plan proposes to provide temporary accommodation in a managed and coordinated way for up to 200 arrivals in each municipality, or 1,200 individuals at a time across the six municipalities. We expect to see the number of Ukrainian refugees increase steadily in the next two to three weeks and will likely have to begin implementing the regional program.
We have been in close touch with the Government of Canada about their agreement with this regional plan and their financial support for it and we hope their commitment will be forthcoming shortly.
The Mayors and Chairs also discussed the challenges being experienced at Pearson Airport. The airport is a huge driver of investment and tourism and is also the front door to our Region. We have offered our help to the Government of Canada in resolving these issues as soon as possible.
Finally, we as a group of Mayors and Chairs extend our congratulations to the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Premier Doug Ford and his colleagues on their election victory. We look forward to continuing our work with them on many important files. We also extend our thanks to Andrea Horwath and Steven Del Duca for their public service.
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| February |
| February 8: GTHA cities and regions call on Federal and Provincial Governments to continue COVID-19 transit relief funding |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area met to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant across the region.
During the meeting, the Mayors and Chairs discussed how they continue to see the Omicron surge subsiding in their municipalities and the ongoing commitment to helping residents get vaccinated, with a focus on kids' vaccinations and third doses for eligible residents.
A strong economic recovery is so important for the future of the GTHA, and the Mayors and Chairs are committed to working with the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to support that recovery over the coming months.
This involves, most importantly, continued support from both governments for ongoing COVID-related budget shortfalls, driven primarily by a drop in ridership across transit systems and extraordinary costs to shelter residents. This matter is urgent, as some municipalities have recently passed their 2022 budgets, and others will do so in the coming weeks. Without further support, cities will soon be forced to consider service reductions, or reductions in capital budgets, both of which will be detrimental to residents as they continue to face the pandemic, and as the region’s economy recovers.
The GTHA benefitted immensely from support from both governments in 2020 and 2021 to ensure we can continue delivering critical services, respond to the pandemic, while continuing to deliver capital programs that build up communities and keep the economy moving.
A vibrant economic recovery and a fair chance for many of our essential workers both require strong transit systems and fully funded capital programs across the GTHA. Cities and regions will drive that recovery and therefore it is imperative that both federal and provincial governments commit to continuing COVID-19 relief funding to municipalities on an urgent basis.
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| January |
| January 17: Continued COVID-19 relief funding for municipalities important for strong recovery in 2022: GTHA Mayors and Chairs |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area met to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs remain absolutely committed to continuing to work with each other along with the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, to save lives and keep people safe.
This week, in-class learning resumes in schools across the GTHA. The Mayors and Chairs strongly support in-class learning and thank the province and the school boards for working to reopen schools. All the GTHA municipalities are committed to helping deliver ongoing vaccination efforts to help kids and education workers get vaccinated.
All municipalities have worked to ramp up third dose vaccination efforts in the face of the Omicron surge. We want to thank the millions of residents who have already stepped forward to get their booster dose and encourage all those who are eligible to get their third dose as soon as possible.
Along with the vaccination efforts, all GTHA municipalities have worked throughout this pandemic with the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to protect services, invest in crucial areas that need it and to keep costs affordable for residents. Cooperation between all governments, especially as we confront the Omicron variant, and support for all municipalities must continue this year. The GTHA Mayors and Chairs are confident that support will continue but want to reiterate the importance of that support as we enter a new financial year for municipalities which cannot run a deficit, securing this funding will help make sure that the entire GTHA comes back stronger than ever.
Continued COVID-19 relief funding will protect frontline services and our ongoing recovery so that we can continue providing frontline, essential services.
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| January 10: GTHA Mayors and Chairs focused on boosting vaccination rates |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area met to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs remain absolutely committed to continuing to work with each other along with the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, to save lives and keep people safe.
GTHA municipalities have been focused on rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations for more than a year and have made good progress delivering first, second, and now third doses. The effort to make sure all eligible residents have access to third doses is continuing across the GTHA. At the same time, we are working to help kids and education workers get vaccinated to support the province and school boards to safely return to in-person learning on January 17. We share the view that in-class learning will be beneficial to all concerned including especially the students and will do everything we can as cities and regions, including special vaccination efforts for our school communities, to allow the province and school boards to reopen the schools on January 17.
We strongly reiterate the view expressed previously that the province, perhaps in partnership with the federal government, should reinstate a form of pandemic pay. This was just successfully done in 2020 during another intense period of the pandemic and for some sectors such as long term care and healthcare workers including paramedics, the extraordinary challenges we are facing again today would more than justify such a measure. We also discussed the desirability of looking at the prioritization of the healthcare, education and other frontline workers in the distribution of rapid tests.
The Mayors and Chairs continue to express their gratitude to all front line workers who continue to serve residents in an exemplary fashion even in the face of extraordinary challenges.
We continue to urge all residents across the GTHA to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Along with the vaccination efforts, all GTHA municipalities are also working non-stop to protect essential and critical services that are being stressed by Omicron with increasing staff absences due to COVID-19 illness and isolation requirements. In comparing our experiences in this area the Mayors and Chairs expressed a wish to see the province work with the hospitals and with us to address some of the issues which have arisen affecting EMS services.
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| January 4: GTHA Mayors and Chairs working to protect essential and critical Municipal services, continue vaccination rollout in wake of Omicron variant |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area met to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs are committed to continuing to work with each other along with the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, to save lives and keep people safe.
As the Omicron variant continues to spread, all GTHA municipalities are working to protect essential and critical municipal services as we see increasing staff absences due to COVID-19 illness, isolation requirements, and caregiving.
The rapid spread of the Omicron variant here and around the world has created a challenge for hospitals across the GTHA. We are committed to helping confront this challenge including continuing the rollout of vaccinations – first, second and third doses – and doing everything we can to support school boards and the province to safely return to in-person learning in two weeks.
We know this is an incredibly difficult time for residents and businesses across the GTHA. We continue to encourage both the federal and provincial governments to urgently provide as much direct support as possible to those impacted by public health measures, especially smaller businesses including those in the hospitality sector. We encourage all GTHA residents to support their local restaurants and shops – order take out and shop local.
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| December |
| December 20: GTHA Mayors and Chairs urge residents to be cautious as Omicron cases continue to rise |
| Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held an emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs are committed to working with each other along with the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, to save lives and keep people safe.
All GTHA municipalities are adjusting operations and services in response to the Omicron variant and the need to ramp up the delivery of third dose booster vaccinations as soon as possible with staffing being a central challenge.
To assist with the expansion of vaccination capacity the Mayors and Chairs look forward to working with the provincial government to incentivize more pharmacies and doctors to offer vaccinations and to mount a province-wide campaign to recruit retired health care workers to join local vaccination teams.
Given the real threat posed by the Omicron variant, the Mayors and Chairs are requesting the other governments to immediately consider the reinstatement of pandemic pay for paramedics, public health nurses along with redeployed employees working in long term care homes and emergency and temporary shelters. This previous temporary measure, which was in effect for a period of time in 2020, has once again become a priority vital to the continued provision of these services in the coming months as we continue to ask more and more of our frontline workers.
The Mayors and Chairs also expressed the hope that priority can be given to many of those same frontline workers when distributing rapid antigen test kits given their greater exposure and their inability to work from home.
The Mayors and Chairs from across the GTHA urge all residents to continue to follow the public health advice through the holiday season. Please be safe and cautious. Please continue to wear a mask in public places. And please if you are eligible, make arrangements to get your booster vaccine dose.
By getting vaccinated and following public health measures, including responsible holiday celebration, together we will blunt the impact of Omicron, keep more people healthy and be able to get back to a more normal life including the ever important task of generating a strong economic recovery.
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GTHA Mayors and Chairs urge residents to be cautious as Omicron cases continue to rise
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| November |
| November 8: GTHA Mayors and Chairs welcome continued support from the Government of Ontario's fall economic statement |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs welcome the province's Fall Economic Statement last week which contained good news for cities, including millions more to support operating budget deficits for vital services impacted by the pandemic, including transit.
The Mayors and Chairs are continuing to advocate for additional support from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for municipalities' 2022 budgets as the frontline response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues; and they thank the Province for recognizing the ongoing financial impacts of COVID-19 on transit systems and municipalities and for the commitment in the Fall Economic Statement to continuing to work with municipalities and the Government of Canada to address these acute operating pressures.
Without a doubt, the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine over the last year has helped us protect our residents and make tremendous progress reopening the GTHA economy. We continue to urge all GTHA residents to get vaccinated so they can have the best protection available against the virus and we can protect the progress we have made as a region lifting public health measures. We acknowledge and support the province's recently announced framework for the administration of third doses.
We also thank the thousands of eligible residents across the GTHA who are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 and who are stepping forward to get their third doses.
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| October |
| October 25: GTHA Mayors and Chairs support continued reopening |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs support the province's move effective today to lift capacity limits in restaurants and gyms and the further reopening plan outlined last week. This is a sign of the progress we have made across the GTHA and the entire province combatting COVID-19 and getting residents vaccinated.
We are determined to keep moving forward and out of the pandemic – we do not want to go backwards and we know residents and businesses also want our progress to continue. The best way to protect our progress is for all residents to get vaccinated and we are continuing to urge residents who haven't been vaccinated yet to get their two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
We also strongly urge residents to continue to support local businesses including restaurants. Despite the re-opening which is a positive development, many businesses have a COVID hangover from the earlier stages of the pandemic and need our support by shopping, eating and drinking local.
We also discussed the importance of substantive discussions with the other orders of government with respect to a backstop for municipal financial shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Budget preparations in GTHA cities are well advanced and greater certainty is required.
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| October 12: GTHA Mayors and Chairs call for continued Federal and Provincial COVID-19 emergency financial support |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
This week, we will be advocating with our municipal colleagues from across Ontario and Canada for continued support from the provincial and federal governments into 2022.
As we all look ahead to our 2022 municipal budgets, we are forecasting challenges similar to 2021 caused by the pandemic, including in particular reduced transit ridership.
Throughout the pandemic and with the support of other governments, municipalities have invested emergency funding in much-needed services that were crucial to the effort to fight COVID-19 including public health, housing and homelessness, and support for residents and businesses. At the same time, we have worked to keep all frontline municipal services, including our transit systems, operating. This continued delivery of essential services will be needed as we finish delivering the largest vaccination effort in Canadian history and work to make sure the economy comes back stronger than ever. The continued financial support of the other governments is more crucial than ever in allowing us to continue this work.
Many of the GTHA Mayors will be participating this week in the Big City Mayors Caucus meeting in Ottawa with federal counterparts and the Ontario Big City Mayors meeting. We will be raising the need for continued support which benefitted all residents and businesses over the last 18 months of the pandemic.
Every government has worked together throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to help residents and businesses through these tough times. It is our hope that cooperation will continue into 2022 for the good for the entire GTHA and all the residents and businesses who call this region home.
In this regard we welcome the opportunity to work with the Government of Ontario to map out a broader and more encompassing reopening plan including the initiation of consistent and easily administered standards for all sectors of the economy and all Ontario residents.
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| September |
| September 30: GTHA Mayors and Chairs focused on local vaccination efforts |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
All GTHA municipalities have seen strong uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations and are continuing to make steady progress towards the province's goal of having 90 per cent of eligible residents vaccinated.
The Mayors and Chairs discussed the ongoing work across the region by their respective health units to help unvaccinated residents receive their first and second doses. They compared targeted vaccination initiatives and will explore the possibility of a region-wide program to continue to drive vaccination numbers up.
We continue to urge all eligible residents to get vaccinated so they will have the best protection possible against COVID-19 and so we can bring this pandemic to an end and protect our progress reopening the region. We want schools, businesses, sports and entertainment venues to remain open and vaccinations are the key.
In their first meeting since the 2021 federal election, the Mayors and Chairs congratulated Prime Minister Trudeau on his election win and committed to continuing to work with the Government of Canada on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will include stepped up discussions with both provincial and federal governments with respect to anticipated 2022 municipal budget shortfalls caused by the pandemic including in particular reduced transit ridership.
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| September 13: GTHA Mayors and Chairs condemn protests targeting hospitals |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs discussed the ongoing work underway to drive up vaccination rates across the GTHA. All municipalities are committed to supporting vaccination efforts to reach the province's target of 90 per cent of eligible residents being fully vaccinated.
Throughout the pandemic, we have all relied on our frontline healthcare heroes to save lives and help people. Hospital workers across the GTHA deserve our collective thanks and should not be made the target of anti-vaccine protests and the spreading of misinformation. People go to hospitals because they need medical help – they also don’t deserve to be harassed or intimidated by protests. The Mayors and Chairs strongly condemn protests intentionally targeting hospitals and support our enforcement officials in taking any action they deem necessary to protect our hospitals and keep patients and healthcare workers safe.
During today's meeting, the Mayors and Chairs also discussed initiatives underway to help refugees from Afghanistan expected to settle in the GTHA over the coming months. The Mayors and Chairs support the work underway by community organizations on this resettlement effort and look forward to all governments working together to help people.
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| August |
| August 30: GTHA Mayors and Chairs look forward to details of provincial proof of vaccination program |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise across the GTHA and the province, the Mayors and Chairs discussed the work each municipality is doing to drive up vaccination rates and support school boards as kids go back to school.
The Mayors and Chairs understand the Province is developing plans for a proof of vaccination program and we should hear about those this week. We are pleased that the Government of Ontario is moving in this direction and look forward to hearing more details very soon.
We believe such a province-wide system accompanied by appropriate guidelines for implementation will be crucial to protecting the progress we have made fighting COVID-19 and will help us all combat a fourth wave and the Delta Variant – both of which represent continuing challenges to the significant progress made to date.
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| August 16: GTHA Mayors and Chairs welcome Provincial and Federal Governments taking action to protect public health |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs welcomed the coming move by the Government of Ontario to mandate vaccines for hospital and long-term care workers. This would be a good step forward that will better protect some of our most vulnerable residents and our frontline heroes who work in hospitals and long-term care homes.
The Mayors and Chairs also welcomed the Government of Canada's move last week to proceed with a proof of vaccination system and to mandate vaccinations for federal workers and air and interprovincial train passengers.
We believe it is important for all governments to move as quickly as possible to address this health issue and do everything we can to further encourage residents to get vaccinated.
We also remind our residents of the very important continuing need to respect other public health measures that remain in place including the wearing of masks and capacity limits, especially as they relate to indoor settings.
Our public health officials are clear that a fourth wave is here and that the Delta Variant poses a real threat to our progress.
The impact of another lockdown would be devastating to the economy of the GTHA so we support any actions taken by the relevant governments to protect the health of all residents and encourage vaccination.
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| July |
| July 26: GTHA Mayors and Chairs readying municipalities for moving beyond Step Three of the provincial reopening |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
More than a week after the province moved into Step Three of the reopening, the Mayors and Chairs discussed how their municipalities continue to see lower COVID-19 case counts and ever increasing vaccination rates.
The Mayors and Chairs are committed to making sure as many people across the GTHA get fully vaccinated over the coming weeks to help protect the region from the Delta variant and the threat of a fourth wave. We are encouraging all residents to get vaccinated to help ensure the reopening continues unabated.
We know that the province will remain in Step Three for at least 21 days and until 80% of the eligible population aged 12 and over has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 75% have received their second, with no public health unit having less than 70% of their eligible population aged 12 and over fully vaccinated. The Mayors and Chairs want the GTHA to hit those important milestones as quickly as possible.
Those percentages are crucial to making sure the GTHA and all of Ontario can move beyond Step Three so the Mayors and Chairs strongly encourage all residents to get their first and second shots and to encourage everyone they know – their family, their friends, their neighbours – to get vaccinated now. This will go a long way in ensuring the GTHA can move beyond Step Three and come back stronger than ever.
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| July 20: GTHA Mayors and Chairs encourage young people to get vaccinated |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
Right now, the GTHA continues to see declining COVID-19 case rates and strong uptake in vaccinations. The Mayors and Chairs thank all residents who have already stepped forward to get both their first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
The reopening underway right now is thanks to the sacrifices residents and businesses made to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and thanks to those who are getting vaccinated and encouraging others to also get their shot.
As we look ahead beyond the summer and into the fall, we support the safe return to school for young people. To help the return to in-person classes, the Mayors and Chairs encourage all young people – age 12 and older – to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The Mayors and Chairs also compared notes on the evolving methodology for delivering vaccines with a goal of increasing access and removing barriers of all kinds.
The Mayors and Chairs continued their discussion concerning the backlog in the Provincial Offences Courts created by the ongoing pandemic. We will be supplying information to the Government of Ontario to help target and facilitate action which might be taken to reduce this backlog which carries with it judicial and financial consequences.
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| July 5: GTHA Mayors and Chairs encourage residents to get fully vaccinated and urge the Province to provide clear guidance ahead of Step 3 |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs continue to urge residents to get fully vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. While there continues to be a steady supply of vaccines, residents are encouraged to book their first and second dose regardless of which vaccine is available. Medical health professionals have been clear that the best vaccine is the first one available and that both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are interchangeable and will help protect against COVID-19 and further protect against the Delta variant.
A week into Step 2 of the provincial government’s reopening plans, the GTHA Mayors and Chairs are pleased to see a safe reopening is underway. The planned and cautious approach is meant to ensure that we can stay open and soon open further without the risk of further restrictions in the future.
As vaccination rates continue to rise and COVID-19 infection rates decrease, the GTHA Mayors and Chairs are hopeful that we are well on the way to entering Step 3 of the province’s reopening plan. We are hopeful that if vaccination and health data and prevailing circumstances permit, consideration might be given to slightly earlier safe re-opening of various indoor activities.
To ensure industries and businesses are prepared and ready to re-open whenever Step 3 arrives, the Mayors and Chairs urge the Province to provide clear guidance for Step 3 as soon as possible. This includes gathering limits for larger outdoor events, arts and culture events and concerts. Businesses, partners, teams, individual artists and venue operators are eager to know the rules and guidelines well ahead of Step 3 and the Mayors and Chairs are prepared to help the province implement these changes and ensure a seamless transition into the next phase when it is safe to do so. But the guidelines themselves, even in draft form, are needed on an urgent basis for planning purposes and we know the Province understands the needs of these hard hit businesses and individuals.
The Mayors and Chairs also take positive note of changes made effective today as related to the border and hope this is part of a continuous process of normalization that will see further progress as soon as circumstances permit.
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| June |
| June 28: GTHA Mayors and Chairs welcome the beginning of Step 2 this week and hope vaccine progress continues |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs welcome the beginning of Step 2 this Wednesday and thank the Government of Ontario for moving ahead with the reopening earlier based on increasing vaccination rates and decreasing COVID-19 infection rates. This is an important step forward that will allow thousands of businesses across the GTHA to open their doors.
To protect the progress we are continuing to make and to make sure we move as quickly as possible into Step 3 of the reopening, the Mayors and Chairs continue to encourage all GTHA residents to get vaccinated – first and second doses. Our health officials have been clear that all of the approved vaccines are safe and effective and the best vaccine to receive is the one that is available.
The Mayors and Chairs also stated their serious concern with regard to a backlog with the Provincial Courts. There is a need for some action to be taken in weeks not months as this pandemic related backlog has a negative impact on justice, finances and a number of other areas.
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| June 21: GTHA Mayors and Chairs encourage all residents to get fully vaccinated with the vaccine dose available |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
All the GTHA municipalities continue to make excellent progress getting people vaccinated and continue to see a decline in COVID-19 case numbers.
This progress is thanks to our residents who are stepping forward to get vaccinated – first and second doses – and who have followed the public health advice to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
We are encouraged by the fact the province has indicated it may allow personal service settings to open earlier than July 2 and understand they are reviewing this daily with the health and science advisors as we move towards the beginning of Step 2 of reopening. Steadily improving vaccination numbers offer encouragement this could be considered as being consistent with safety.
As vaccine clinics across the GTHA move to offer Moderna and Pfizer vaccine interchangeably, the Mayors and Chairs encourage residents to get vaccinated with the vaccine available and offered to them and not vaccine shop. Vaccines are offered only in a way that is completely safe and decisions in this regard are made totally on the basis of available supply.
Our public health officials have been clear: Both Pfizer and Moderna brands are mRNA vaccines and are extremely effective against COVID-19 transmission. These Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are interchangeable, equally effective and safe for everyone over 18 years. We encourage residents who have an appointment to get vaccinated to please keep that appointment.
We need every resident to get fully vaccinated as quickly as possible to make sure we are prepared to confront the Delta variant and get on with reopening our Region.
The Mayors and Chairs also discussed the backlog created by the lengthy period during which courts have been closed and look forward to necessary provincial actions to address this.
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| June 14: GTHA Mayors and Chairs encourage all residents to get fully vaccinated to protect our progress fighting COVID-19 |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs welcomed the first weekend in Step 1 of the province's Roadmap to Reopen and the continuing progress on decreasing COVID-19 case counts across the GTHA and the increasing vaccination rates.
We continue to encourage all residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 – first doses and second doses – to help bring this pandemic to an end. We note that in virtually all locations across the region additional capacity is available which could be utilized if planned supply was to be increased.
Vaccination rates are also crucial to moving forward with further reopening. The province requires 70 per cent of adults to have one dose of the vaccine and 20 per cent of adults to be fully vaccinated as part of the conditions for moving forward with Step 2.
The Mayors and Chairs confirm that the GTHA is on track to hit those milestones ahead of the province's July 2 target. This progress is encouraging and we hope that continued success on vaccination, thanks to residents stepping forward and continuing supply from the province, could allow the province, in consultation with public health officials, to consider opening personal service settings earlier than July 2.
While we are at a very positive place in our fight against COVID-19, the Mayors and Chairs note that all public health advice makes it clear that the Delta variant is a real threat to that progress. All of our residents can help protect that progress by making sure they get their first dose of vaccine and making sure they get their second dose as soon as they are eligible. Equally important is continued adherence to distancing rules especially as they relate to large parties which are still contrary to the rules and should be avoided.
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| June 7: GTHA Mayors and Chairs support reopening |
| Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs commended the province for its decision to move to Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen this Friday in light of positive indicators such as the decline in new COVID-19 cases and a strong uptake in vaccinations.
They believe that the slightly advanced though still cautious timetable reflects continued concern for public health but also allows some first important steps in the direction of a more normal life for people and businesses. The advance notice given is a very positive step since it will allow businesses to plan.
Municipalities and their healthcare and community partners are continuing to administer COVID-19 vaccines – first doses and second doses – as quickly as vaccine shipments can be provided from the federal and provincial governments. We support the province's move to allow accelerated doses for our older residents so that we can ensure they are fully vaccinated as soon as possible.
The Mayors and Chairs urge the Ontario government to give consideration to the allocation of extra vaccine supply to hotspot areas in the province, including the GTHA, so as to better equip the province as a whole to contain the Delta variant in areas of greatest risk. Any failure to contain the Delta variant poses one of the biggest risks to improved public health and safe reopening.
The more vaccine that is provided to GTHA municipalities, the more second doses can be administered, second doses being important in the fight against the Delta variant.
The Mayors and Chairs want to thank the thousands of people working on the ongoing vaccination effort and all those who are doing the right thing and getting vaccinated.
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| May |
| May 17: GTHA Mayors and Chairs welcome lower age eligibility for vaccines and request additional supply to accompany demand |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The GTHA Mayors and Chairs want to thank all those who worked over the weekend to vaccinate as many people as possible. Vaccine clinics and mobile pop-ups helped achieve vaccine dose administration records in hot spot areas across the GTHA. These efforts are playing a vital role in getting as many residents vaccinated as quickly as possible with the vaccine supply we have available.
Starting tomorrow, residents 18+ across the province will be eligible to register to get vaccinated. While we welcome this news, we know this will create increased demand for vaccine appointments and we will therefore require additional supply of vaccine from the provincial and federal governments if we are to be able to meet the increased demand for appointments. The Mayors and Chairs thank the federal and provincial government for their earlier work securing and distributing vaccines to hot spot areas in the region and we commit to administering as much additional supply as they can provide.
Since the last meeting between GTHA Mayors and Chairs, the province announced the extension of the Stay-At-Home order until June 2 to stop the spread of the virus. We want to thank residents who continue to do the right thing by following the public health guidelines.
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| May 10: GTHA Mayors and Chairs look forward to busiest week of COVID-19 vaccinations so far |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
We wish to acknowledge that this week is National Nursing Week and we join in expressing our gratitude to nurses as they continue to demonstrate such courage and professionalism alongside all healthcare workers.
COVID-19 case counts are going in the right direction across the GTHA while vaccination rates continue to rise. Credit is due to our residents who have exhibited patience in following public health guidelines. We are making progress stopping the spread of the virus and getting people in our hottest hot spots vaccinated. The Mayors and Chairs reaffirmed their willingness to share in the risks and benefits of our shared citizenship.
The Mayors and Chairs welcomed the fact that this week the GTHA municipalities will be undertaking their biggest and busiest week of vaccine dose administration so far. This work is thanks to increased supply from the federal and provincial governments to hot spot areas and we would welcome further additional supply over the coming weeks to ensure we can vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. We are all anxious to meet or exceed the target set by Premier Ford to have 65 per cent of eligible residents vaccinated by the end of May. Any additional supply would help us make that happen. We also rely on the federal and provincial governments for transparent explanations with respect to vaccine supplies.
The current vaccination effort is made easier with a predictable timeline laid out by the province when eligibility will open up to different age groups, professions, and those with health conditions. We believe these clearly communicated timelines have helped people plan their lives and have helped everyone manage expectations.
The GTHA Mayors and Chairs are asking the Province to provide predictability for the current provincial Stay-At-Home order and what is to follow. As the Victoria Day long weekend approaches, people and businesses have begun to ask perfectly reasonable questions as to where things will stand as of that time, so they can make plans of all kinds, business and pleasure. Accordingly, we think it is important that the Ontario government communicate clearly and as soon as possible whether or not its order will be extended further or modified based on public health advice.
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| May 3: GTHA Mayors and Chairs thank our frontline healthcare workers and welcome additional vaccine doses for hot spot areas, with need for more |
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"Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs acknowledge and thank our frontline hospital workers continuing to confront a third wave. The hard work and sacrifice of our frontline healthcare workers cannot be in vain so we continue to urge all residents to continue to follow the public health advice. We need to stop the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.
Municipalities across the GTHA anticipate increased vaccine supply this week for hot spot postal codes. We are committed to working with our healthcare partners to make sure we are administering these doses as quickly as possible to residents who live in hot spot neighbourhoods. While the committed vaccines for regional hot spots will help the cause, more vaccines will be needed to permit
us to meet the demand created by expanded eligibility now including many residents as young as 18.
The Mayors and Chairs also want to acknowledge the degree to which both governments of Canada and Ontario have included municipalities in implementing the course of action we are collectively taking to defeat this virus. We are hopeful that this collaborative and cooperative tone and spirit between all governments will continue as it is through working together that we can be most effective."
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| April |
| April 26: GTHA Mayors and Chairs support development of more vaccines to hot spots and sick pay improvements |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
We express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of 13-year-old Emily Victoria Viegas. Every COVID-19 death represents a tragedy but this loss does confirm the extreme threat the variants pose to all of us.
The GTHA, like the rest of Ontario and much of Canada, is in the third wave with all our hospitals experiencing increased strain on health care resources. The Mayors and Chairs continue to urge all residents to keep following the public health advice to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and limit the strain on our overburdened health care system.
Given the limited vaccine supply right now, municipalities across the GTHA are absolutely focused on deploying as much of the available vaccines as possible to local hot spots. By following this strategy, we are seeing success when it comes to increasing the number of people vaccinated in hot spot postal codes and we know this will make a difference in the long term. We encourage the Province to continue to increase the vaccines made available to hot spots across our region consistent with medical and scientific advice.
Last week, the province pledged to come forward with an improved sick pay system. The Mayors and Chairs welcome this commitment and look forward to seeing the system in place as soon as possible to help protect more of our essential workers.
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| April 19: GTHA Mayors and Chairs urge all eligible residents to get vaccinated especially in COVID-19 hot spots |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
We are thankful that Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Ford are working together to get more help in place to help combat the third wave of this pandemic. In particular, we commend Prime Minister Trudeau for his efforts in reaching out to the rest of the country to help Ontario in general and the GTHA in particular. And we express our thanks to Premier Ford for his announced increased allocation of vaccines to GTHA hot spots.
The Mayors and Chairs welcome any additional health resources that can be deployed in the GTHA right now. We also anticipate continuous discussions between ourselves, the Province, and health and science advisors with respect to the public health measures in place from time to time.
All GTHA municipalities have additional capacity in their vaccination delivery systems that would benefit from increased vaccine supply. All of us have the capacity to do more and we will continue to work with the other governments to obtain more doses. The more vaccine doses we receive, the more shots we can get in arms in our hotspot areas. We also urge the Province to maintain as much certainty as possible with respect to committed vaccine allocations and to ensure as much advance notice as possible in the event of any changes.
We welcome the fact that the province has opened up AstraZeneca vaccinations to all residents age 40 and older. This will lead to more people getting vaccinated at pharmacies across the GTHA.
We strongly encourage the Province to accelerate the signing on of more pharmacies and encourage all residents who are newly eligible for this vaccine to sign up and get their shot.
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| April 12: GTHA Mayors and Chairs call for additional COVID-19 vaccine supply |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
As the GTHA faces a third wave and our hospitals work to help people, our municipalities continue to administer all vaccine available from the provincial and federal governments. We remain fully committed to our job as municipalities which is to put as many vaccines into as many arms as we can, as quickly as we can, vaccine supply permitting. As much clarity as possible with respect to vaccine supply is obviously central to our ability to carry out this task.
We support the efforts announced by the province to make sure residents in postal code hot spots have increased access to vaccine. We strongly support any action by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to increase vaccine supply right now so that we can vaccinate more people in these hot spot areas and on the provincial priority list.
We are also very supportive of Premier Ford's goal of vaccinating 40 per cent of Ontarians by May 5 and we await further details on how we can collaborate together to make that happen, including on questions of vaccine supply. We believe that achieving this goal will require increased supply for the GTHA and the deployment of additional human resources.
Recognizing the scale of this undertaking means it will take time, we want residents across the GTHA to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The GTHA Mayors and Chairs continue to urge all residents who are eligible to receive the vaccine right now to sign up for their vaccine appointment.
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| April 6: GTHA Mayors and Chairs encourage people to get vaccinated when they are eligible |
| Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The cities represented by the GTHA Mayors and Chairs are extremely concerned about the third wave and the increasing case counts we are seeing in the region. We look forward to continuing dialogue with the province concerning public health measures as we try to win the war against this virus.
As the Province enters the second stage of the vaccine rollout, the Mayors and Chairs, who are proud to have led in the effort to administer hundreds of thousands of vaccines so far, would appreciate greater clarity on the matter of the vaccination of different groups of essential workers.
We all share the view that essential workers and vulnerable populations and communities should be prioritized for purposes of vaccine distribution. People who have no choice but to go to work are often by definition going to be placed at greater risk and we look forward to achieving greater clarification with the province to ensure we can prioritize these groups while still continuing to vaccinate progressively younger age groups.
The GTHA Mayors and Chairs urge all residents who are eligible to receive the vaccine right now to sign up for their vaccine appointment. We want residents across the GTHA to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
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| March |
| March 29: GTHA Mayors and Chairs request additional COVID-19 vaccine supply |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The cities represented by the GTHA Mayors and Chairs are making considerable efforts to vaccinate residents laid out in the provincial government’s priority list as quickly as vaccine supply permits.
The GTHA Mayors and Chairs raised the need for a more reliable and increased supply stream of the vaccine from the federal and provincial governments with a focus on hot spots that are facing larger case counts. During the meeting, the participants called on the provincial and federal governments to work together to prioritize regions, including the GTHA and other areas across the country, that are facing greater impacts from the virus by increasing their supply of the vaccine. Current numbers clearly indicate this region is a COVID-19 hot spot and we believe vaccine allocation should take that into account, in the GTHA and in other hot spot areas in the country.
The GTHA Mayors and Chairs urge all seniors age 70 and older to sign up for their vaccine appointment. We want our seniors to get vaccinated as soon as possible. With availability of appointments across the region, the GTHA Mayors and Chairs made a request to the province to increase marketing and advertising efforts to encourage people to sign up and to address vaccine hesitancy. We will also be staying in close touch in the days ahead with respect to ongoing provincial eligibility requirements.
GTHA Mayors and Chairs discussed their concerns about the high case counts over the past week and the increased number of cases that are being identified as the variants of concern. In response to these increased case counts, and as cities continue to move forward in the provincial framework, the GTHA Mayors and Chairs are reminding residents to stay vigilant and to continue to follow the public health guidelines.
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| March 22: GTHA Mayors and Chairs continue to encourage residents to get their COVID-19 vaccine when eligible |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs continue to work with the provincial and federal governments to administer the COVID-19 vaccines to residents across the GTHA. While we await larger supply of vaccines, municipalities are moving forward in efforts to vaccinate priority groups laid out by the provincial government.
There was considerable discussion concerning the rollout of vaccinations in pharmacies. Mayors and Chairs in areas not yet part of the pharmacy vaccination program strongly urged the provincial government to expedite the equitable expansion of this initiative especially in light of increased security of vaccine supply. Local health authorities have strong existing relationships with pharmacies from programs like flu vaccinations.
The GTHA Mayors and Chairs welcome the news announced last week that allows for seniors age 75 and older to sign up for their vaccine appointment. Recent news from the federal government shows lower case counts among 80 and over residents across the country which demonstrates how vital the vaccine is in lowering case counts and spread among vulnerable residents.
On the matter of re-opening, the request to consider modifications to the Grey category restrictions on outdoor fitness and recreation was reiterated.
By increasing vaccination efforts in the GTHA and the commitment to stay vigilant in following public health guidelines, we will ensure a safer reopening for the region. The Mayors and Chairs are strongly encouraging residents to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible and as vaccine supply allows.
There was also a request made for more consistent messaging and more timely communication by the province to local governments including advance notice to Mayors and Chairs of changes in policy or new initiatives.”
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| March 15: GTHA Mayors and Chairs encourage all residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine when eligible |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs are committed to working with the provincial and federal governments to administer COVID-19 vaccines to residents across the GTHA. The federal government acquires and supplies COVID-19 vaccine, the provincial government rolls out the vaccine and sets the vaccination framework, and municipalities are committed to doing the on the ground work to get shots in arms. We are ready to ramp up our efforts as supply increases.
Right now, municipalities across the GTHA are focused on working with their hospital and healthcare partners to get residents 80-years-old and older vaccinated. Vaccine supply continues to be an issue which constrains our pace but prospects look brighter provided supply numbers are reliable.
The Mayors and Chairs strongly encourage all residents to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible and as vaccine supply allows. We recognize that the overall vaccination effort will take time and hope our residents will continue to be mindful of public health guidance including avoidance of St. Patrick's Day parties later this week.
Following the rules and getting vaccinated will protect you and your loved ones and help us stop COVID-19 so that the entire GTHA can move ahead with a safe reopening."
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| March 8: GTHA Mayors and Chairs welcome additional supply of COVID-19 vaccine |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs are committed to working with their local public health units, hospitals, and community health partners to distribute COVID-19 vaccine to residents. They urge residents to obtain local information on vaccinations from the municipality in which they live, to understand there will be differences between municipalities in a big region and that all local vaccination efforts are dependent upon vaccine supply.
Late last week, the Government of Canada announced additional vaccine supply would be arriving in the coming days and weeks and the Government of Ontario confirmed it would be distributing that vaccine as quickly as possible along with providing extra doses to communities hit hard by COVID-19. The Mayors and Chairs stated that as soon as that supply of vaccine is in hand, they will deliver.
This is great news for our efforts to get shots in arms. We want our residents to have access to vaccine as quickly as possible but all of our efforts do depend on vaccine supply.
The vaccinations work. We are already seeing the benefits of vaccinations in our long-term care and retirement homes. But they must be combined with a continued cautious approach to public health guidance and common sense as this is a battle which is not yet over.
During today's meeting, the Mayors and Chairs also discussed the importance of coordinating our efforts around communications across municipalities and with the province to help inform residents about the safety of the vaccines, the importance of being vaccinated when eligible, and how to get vaccinated.
The Mayors and Chairs also expressed their gratitude for the financial assistance, including transit funding, received primarily from the Ontario Government last week. Together with vaccinations, this funding will clearly put us on the road to recovery, knowing some additional assistance will be needed for 2021 since property taxes cannot on their own finance the extraordinary burdens caused by the pandemic.
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| March 1: GTHA Mayors and Chairs Committed to COVID-19 vaccine rollout |
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Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
All GTHA municipalities are working to support the provincial and federal governments in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and preparing for the arrival of what we anticipate will be substantial additional supply. The Mayors and Chairs urge all residents to get vaccinated when they are eligible. The vaccine will protect you and your loved ones. The safe reopening of the GTHA for the long-term with no further threat of lockdowns will ultimately rely on as many people being vaccinated as possible. We believe it is important that the people we collectively serve receive consistent messaging with respect to the availability of vaccinations (including information around when, who, where, why).
All municipalities on the call, representing millions of people, are anxiously awaiting confirmation by the Province that they will be compensated for the millions of dollars in expenditures involved in delivering the vaccinations.
Supporting the vaccine rollout is one more example of the important work municipal governments and their local health units are doing in the fight against COVID-19. We are continuing to have good, positive discussions with the federal and provincial governments about additional support for municipalities facing other financial pressures (ie. transit and housing) due to the pandemic.
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| February |
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February 22 - GTHA Mayors and Chairs committed to safe reopening, working to avoid further lockdowns
Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.
The Mayors and Chairs discussed their concerns about the continuing challenge posed by COVID-19, the variants and the possibility of a third wave. We support the safe reopening of schools to in-person learning that has been completed across the region and thank everyone involved in this effort to date including students, their families, and their teachers.
While some parts of the GTHA have started to reopen, others remain under lockdown and the province's Stay at Home order based on public health advice. The Mayors and Chairs support a cautious and safe reopening. We want to ensure that we keep the spread of the virus and the variants under control so that we avoid a third wave and ensure this lockdown is the last lockdown. We urge all residents to continue following the public health advice in their area and to avoid region hopping at this time. It was observed that the relaxation of remaining restrictions on outdoor winter recreational amenities might help prevent region hopping.
We also urge the Government of Ontario to work with us to ensure that as a transition to being more open takes place across the region, that we have in place measures needed to ensure its success including testing and other workplace related measures. The Mayors and Chairs would also welcome an increased public information campaign from the Province reminding people to shop smart, not to make it a family outing, and to continue to stay home as much as possible even in areas of increased reopening.
The Mayors and Chairs welcome the fact the Government of Canada announced the extension of several pandemic benefits. Extending the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit to four weeks from the previous two weeks will help. This is a good step in the right direction. Sick pay has been identified as a crucial issue and the Mayors and Chairs continue to call on both the provincial and federal governments to hammer out an even more effective solution for increased sick pay funding.
All GTHA municipalities are preparing to support the provincial and federal governments in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine once additional and substantial supply has arrived. This is one more example of the work municipalities are doing on the frontline to help the overall fight against COVID-19. The Mayors and Chairs seek assurance from the Government of Ontario that the provincial COVax registration and scheduling system will be up and running well ahead of the commencement of mass vaccinations. We encourage all residents to get vaccinated when they are eligible – this will be crucial to protecting people's health and in turn crucial to the successful rebuild of the GTHA economy.
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