Dear West Bend ,
The City launched ShopHERE, a program to help Toronto independent businesses and artists open a free online store to minimize the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The online store will be built and launched for free in just a matter of days. Hands-on support will be provided throughout the entire process from volunteer website developers and marketing and business students.
Toronto independent businesses and artists can sign up for their free online store at digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere.
For those who are home and looking for new challenges, the newCity of Toronto Stay, Play and Learn At Home webpage, (gordperks.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e13b1252c0c649074bca5b6e4&id=c43853d147&e=382fa4aa2e) has a list of free virtual programming and activities to help residents stay active, stay engaged, have fun and learn new things while practicing physical distancing or self-isolating at home. This includes dance, fitness, art activities, science, book clubs, live music, museum tours and so much more. There’s something in the listing for every age group. It includes links to virtual programs from EarlyON centres for children, as well as from Seniors Active Living Centres.
This past week, the Province announced funding for childcare centres to cover their fixed operating costs and waiving licencing application and renewal fees. While the City is supportive of the Provincial and the Federal government subsidies and benefits to small businesses and individuals, there has been no direct funding for municipalities.
Due to the pandemic, the City is losing $65 million a week in revenue and facing financial uncertainty. Years of tax cuts on the provincial and federal levels have been paid for by downloading services onto municipalities and made municipalities reliant on user fees. It’s the collapse of user-fee revenue that is will cause the collapse of municipally delivered services.
Community stakeholders, activists, governments and academics have been putting their mind to how we protect and grow our municipally delivered services to lead our City into a robust recovery.
To stay updated on the City’s response to COVID-19, visit toronto.ca/covid-19 .
Gord Events and News – May 14, 2020 edition: * Updates from Toronto Building and City Planning * PARC fundraiser for Parkdale Solidarity Fund: Mutual Aid Parkdale * Support Local Businesses * Housing and Shelter Resources – Rent Bank & FMTA Housing Workshops
** Updates from Toronto Building and City Planning ———————————————————— Published on May 14, 2020 10:41 am Permits:As of this week, all Toronto Building permitting and inspection services are being offered. Some of the services are modified with new applications being accepted electronically only and in-person inspection protocols have been established to ensure health and safety. Some staff have been reassigned to permitting in order to improve response times to permit requests. […] Read in browser » (gordperks.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e13b1252c0c649074bca5b6e4&id=4f813ac824&e=382fa4aa2e)
** PARC fundraiser for Parkdale Solidarity Fund: Mutual Aid Parkdale ———————————————————— Published on May 14, 2020 10:00 am Mutual Aid Parkdale is a neighbourhood group organized on the core principle of practicing solidarity in times of crisis. In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have been safely reaching out to hundreds of neighbours and checking in on them to see what material and social support they need by sharing what they have, purchasing […] Read in browser » (gordperks.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e13b1252c0c649074bca5b6e4&id=146b084d6f&e=382fa4aa2e)
** Support Local Businesses ———————————————————— Published on May 14, 2020 09:45 am Small businesses are especially affected during this pandemic. That is why we encourage you to shop local, from small independent businesses. As curbside pick up becomes available for many retail stores, please continue to follow Public Health advice and maintain physical distancing. Click below on individual BIAs for updates on businesses in their area. The […] Read in browser » (gordperks.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e13b1252c0c649074bca5b6e4&id=8f0731ffb3&e=382fa4aa2e)
** Housing and Shelter Resources – Rent Bank & FMTA Housing Workshops ———————————————————— Published on May 13, 2020 01:29 pm This weekend, Federation of Metro Tenant Association (FMTA) is leading housing workshops: To receive invitations to join them, you’ll need to register by emailing the FMTA at: totenantschool@torontotenants.org TCHC TENANTS AND COVID-19 (Saturday May 16) ORGANIZING FOR CHANGE: BUILDING TENANT POWER DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 (Sunday May 17) If you are behind on rent or […] Read in browser » (gordperks.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e13b1252c0c649074bca5b6e4&id=36ca2313bd&e=382fa4aa2e)
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