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 Home ¦  Research Library »  Governance »  Notebooks »  Toronto City Strike 2009 »  Statement On Resumption Of City Services

Statement on resumption of City services by City Manager, Joe Pennachetti

July 30, 2009

I am pleased that the City can today provide the public with information on the resumption of City services.

As you know, Local 79 has already ratified the agreement and Local 416 is conducting their ratification vote today. Our plans are based on Local 416 ratification of the agreement.

Services will begin coming back online at midnight tonight.

Our overnight operations will begin ramping up immediately and our offices and service counters will be open tomorrow morning.

I can tell you that the members of the Toronto Public Service are looking forward to getting back to their work and serving the people of Toronto.

As City Manager, I want everyone to know, that our workers care a great deal about the work they do and the people they serve.

In spite of the fact that we have all been through a very difficult strike I am confident that our staff will be back on the job and working hard at providing the services on which all of our residents rely.

The resumption of services that will begin tomorrow and continue over the weekend and into next week will cover many services, including:

  • opening the City's employment and social services offices
  • opening the City's parks, pools, forestry and recreation programs
  • resumption of public health services
  • resumption of municipal licensing and standards which includes issuance of city permits and inspections
  • resuming housing and shelter programs, and;
  • conducting development reviews, City planning and approvals, committee of adjustment hearings
  • resuming garbage collection, blue and green bin programs

We expect that the City and the temporary drop off sites will be cleaned up by late Sunday night.

I want to note that I have directed that no overtime be authorized in the resumption of city services except for work required for health and safety reasons.

An important exception to this direction is for the work required to quickly clean out and restore the temporary drop off sites and comply with the environmental certificates of approval that the City has for these sites.

I have also authorized overtime for the cleaning up of the City to ensure that our streets are quickly cleaned and garbage removed.

-more-

I have also directed staff to expedite the speedy restoration of service to the island ferry to permit tourists and residents to visit the island on the weekend.

The overtime the City authorizes for its workers is far less expensive than the use of outside contractors as the City makes use of its own equipment when doing this work and therefore the costs incurred are less than if we were to use outside services.

Restricting overtime during this period will mean that some services and programs may take a little longer to bring back and that backlogs of requests may take longer to clear; but limiting overtime is required to control costs.

It will take a period of time for our programs to get back to regular levels and our facilities and equipment to be brought back into service.

The City is posting its detailed plan on our website at www.toronto.ca so residents and businesses will have a clear understanding on how soon specific services will be available. The website will be updated throughout the week as new information becomes available so I encourage people to continue checking Toronto.ca for the latest updates.

Residents and businesses may continue to call or email Access Toronto 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 416-338-0338/(accesstoronto@toronto.ca) for further assistance.

As this difficult period now begins to come to an end I want to give a special public thanks to the City's non-union and management staff that supported the City and its residents and businesses throughout the strike.

This group of employees have made significant sacrifices in terms of missed time with their families, cancelling vacations and working long, long hours to ensure many of the services that we rely on could continue.

These staff were called upon to work in circumstances that few of us have experienced, or will ever experience in our lives.

I want to ensure this especially dedicated group of staff know that they have my thanks and that of the public we serve.

I have received numerous e-mails of thanks from residents complimenting our staff's consideration, customer service and professionalism under trying circumstances.

This group of staff will always have my personal gratitude for the work they have done over the past several weeks.

Finally, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the City's Chief Negotiator and Executive Director of Human Resources, Bruce Anderson and to Jim Vair the City's lead negotiator with CUPE Local 79 and to Bruce's entire team for working for months to secure the agreements we have achieved. The City's Labour Relations group truly reflects the principles of Service, Stewardship and Commitment that are the values of Toronto's public service

Thank you.

-30-

Media contact:
Kevin Sack, ksack@toronto.ca
Director, Strategic Communications, City of Toronto
Media line 416-338-7768

 

Statement

July 30, 2009

Statement on resumption of regular City solid waste services, General Manager, Solid Waste, Geoff Rathbone.

I'd like to address the resumption of regular solid waste management services and the clean-up of the 26 temporary garbage drop-off sites.

As you can imagine, cleaning up the city will be a large and complex operation. As part of our negotiated back-to-work protocol, we will commence work tomorrow morning by starting the process of emptying and returning to service the City's 5,000 street litter bins.

Should City Council approve the new CUPE collective agreements, we will immediately initiate clean-up of the 26 garbage drop-off sites containing roughly 25,000 tonnes of garbage. Our goals are to:

  • complete the removal of waste from the sites by late Sunday night
  • allow for sites to return to normal operations
  • support Caribana by quickly cleaning the sites on Lake shore Blvd.;
  • meet our Ministry of Environment Certificate of Approval requirements and observe environmental best practices throughout the clean-up; and
  • Be able to return our crews to curb-side collection of waste, green bin and recycling materials on the first regular collection day following City Council ratification i.e. Tuesday, August 4.

The clean-up will be round-the-clock, City-wide operation. We will utilize all available equipment from Solid Waste, Transportation Services and Toronto Water, and City crews will be supplemented by contract operators where necessary.

Clean-up of all the sites will entail:

  • removing the waste
  • sweeping and flushing the sites
  • collecting and disposing of all collected wastewater
  • final site remediation; for example, painting and sod replacement

We will release a schedule of site clean-up tomorrow.

For the City's residential and yellow bag customers, services will resume next week. The most important message for householders is to follow their collection calendar for both their day and type of pick-up. If you are scheduled for recycling pick-up next week, please do not put out garbage or vice-versa.

For those residents who have to wait another week or more for garbage collection, we are keeping all temporary drop-off sites and transfer stations open tomorrow (Friday, July 31) until 7 p.m.

In addition, on Saturday, five sites will remain open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All other temporary sites and transfer stations will be closed. Transfer stations will re-open for regular business on August 4. The five sites that will remain open while the site clean-up is underway are Carnegie Centennial Arena, Villiers Street, Centennial Arena Community Centre, Wilket Creek and Scarborough Arena.

For the first four weeks of regular curb-side collection, householders will be able to put out unlimited waste or recycling; that is for two garbage pick-ups and two recycling pick-ups. No yellow tags will be needed for overflow garbage. Extra recycling should be placed in clear plastic bags. This will be in effect for four weeks only following service resumption.

On your scheduled pick-up day, please leave materials at the curb until collected. Crews may be delayed in finishing their routes.

For leaf and yard waste, in Etobicoke only, collection will begin the week of August 4. For the rest of city, yard waste collection will begin the week of August 18. As with other materials, please check your collection calendar and follow your scheduled pick-up day.

Apartment buildings and condominiums will receive regular, scheduled collection starting next week as will commercial yellow bag customers.

More details regarding Solid Waste Management services can be found on the City website.

-30-

Media contact: City of Toronto Media Relations line during the labour disruption - 416-338-7768
Public information: Call Access Toronto, seven days a week, 24 hours at day, at 416-338-0338 or email accesstoronto@toronto.ca

Backgrounder

July 30, 2009

City of Toronto service resumption plan

The City of Toronto wishes to thank residents and businesses for their patience and support during the labour disruption.

The City has prepared a detailed plan to resume City services and programs.

The City asks for the understanding and patience of residents while services and programs are brought back to regular levels. There is a backlog of service requests in some programs and therefore it will take time to get back to regular processing times. In addition, before resuming services, staff will need a short period of time to confirm that equipment is in good working order and that facilities are properly prepared for use. The City regrets any inconvenience to our residents and businesses and the cooperation of the public continues to be appreciated.

Residents and businesses may continue to call or email Access Toronto 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 416-338-0338/(accesstoronto@toronto.ca) for further assistance.

Affordable Housing Office

  • Service will resume on Friday, July 31.
  • City staff will facilitate City approvals and funding to assist existing affordable housing proponents with outstanding matters resulting from the labour disruption.
  • City staff will resume the administration of the City's affordable housing initiatives, including the selection and notification of short-listed proponents under the Affordable Housing Program Economic Stimulus Initiative.
  • City staff will resume the administration of the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program and process outstanding funding requests on an urgent basis.

Toronto Building

  • All building permit counters will be open on Friday, July 31.
    • Please wait until August 10, 2009 before requesting general zoning or Building Code information at our Customer Service counters or by telephone. Pending issues and information requests that were received prior to the strike will be given first priority.
  • Building Inspectors will begin to take requests for inspection on Friday, July 31. There will be some delays in processing your inspection requests initially, but regular service will resume as soon as possible.
  • For more information about Toronto Building, visit http://www.toronto.ca/building.

Children's Services

  • Municipally operated child care facilities will re-open on Tuesday, August 4, immediately following the scheduled vacation closure (July 20 to August 3).
  • For municipal child care families who have paid child care fees in advance, any refunds owed as a result of the labour disruption will be made as an adjustment to families' accounts. Invoices will be sent out once centres re-open and normal City services resume. Invoices will reflect these adjustments.
  • Children's Services district offices will re-open on Friday, July 31. Staff will contact clients to reschedule appointments. We will begin to accept applications and placements immediately.
  • As of Friday, July 31, please call 416-392-KIDS for more information.
  • For more information about child care in the City of Toronto, visit toronto.ca/children.

City Clerk's Office

  • Toronto Archives
    • Toronto Archives will re-open on Friday, July 31.
    • Public education tours will resume on Friday, July 31.
    • For more information about Toronto Archives, visit http://www.toronto.ca/archives.
  • Protocol events, including flag raisings
    • Protocol staff will contact organizers. Protocol events and flag raisings will resume on Friday, July 31.
  • Wedding Chambers
  • Birth and Death Registrations
  • Lottery licenses
  • Liquor licenses (Special Occasion Permit)
  • Liquor License (Municipal Liquor License Clearance Applications)
  • Marriage licenses

City Planning

  • Planning applications
    • All intake for development approval applications and Committee of Adjustment applications for minor variances will return to normal on Friday, July 31.
  • Committee of Adjustment Meetings
    • The regular schedule of Committee of Adjustment hearings will resume and those meetings that were cancelled during the labour disruption will be re-scheduled.
  • For more information about City Planning, visit http://www.toronto.ca/planning.

Court Services

  • Court Services have been maintained during the labour disruption and will resume full operations beginning on Friday, July 31.
  • For more information about Court Services and online payment options for Provincial Offences Act tickets, visit http://www.toronto.ca/court_services.

Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

  • All services for the business and investment community will resume on Friday, July 31.
  • City of Toronto Museums, Galleries and Cultural Services
    • All City of Toronto museums, galleries and cultural services will re-open on Tuesday, August 4.
    • Registered camp programs run by Cultural Services are tentatively scheduled to resume on Monday, August 10.
    • Full refunds will be issued for registered cultural/arts programs that did not commence or have been cancelled.
    • For more information about the City's Museums, Galleries and Cultural Services, visit http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums.
  • Special Events
    • The six farmers' markets that take place on City squares continue with their regular schedules.
    • Sunday Serenades on Mel Lastman Square will resume on Sunday, August 2.
    • Fresh Wednesdays on Nathan Phillips Square will resume on Wednesday August 5.
    • Tasty Thursdays on Nathan Phillips Square will resume on Thursday August 6.
    • The Sunday Seniors' Concerts at Scarborough Civic Centre will begin again on August 9, 2009
    • For more information about special events operated by the City of Toronto, visit http://www.toronto.ca/special_events.
    • ScotiaBank Caribana events will proceed this weekend. More information about ScotiaBank Caribana events can be found at http://www.caribana.com.

Emergency Medical Services

  • CPR, Public Access Defibrillation course fees
    • Fees for cancelled courses are fully refundable. Client may chose to re-schedule their course and the funds will be applied to their account or they may request a full refund.
    • For more information about courses offered by Toronto Emergency Management Services, visit http://www.torontoems.ca

Employment and Social Services

  • On Thursday July 30, the following three open offices will continue to provide services from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Etobicoke North - 220 Attwell Dr - 416 392-6400
    • Downtown - 111 Wellesley St E - 416 392-5300
    • Scarborough West - 1225 Kennedy Rd - 416 392-2800
  • On Friday July 31, Toronto's Employment and Social Services offices will resume service at all locations from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • For general inquiries about Toronto Employment and Social Services, residents may also call the Client Services and Information Unit at 416-392-2956 as of Friday July 31.
  • For more information about Employment and Social Services in Toronto, visit http://www.toronto.ca/socialservices.

Toronto Public Library

  • The five Toronto Public Library branches that were closed during the City labour disruption - Armour Heights, Flemingdon Park, St. James Town, Todmorden Room and Port Union branches are scheduled to reopen on Friday, July 31.
  • Holds that were temporarily available in other locations will be shipped to branches within 48 hours of reopening. Programs will resume as soon as possible.
  • Fines will not be charged for books due at the closed branches for the duration of the labour disruption.
  • The Island bookmobile stops will resume on August 4 and all other affected stops will return to regular location at their next scheduled visit.
  • City Hall and Urban Affairs branches will return to normal hours of service Friday, July 31.
  • For more information about Toronto libraries, visit http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca

Meetings

  • Council and Committee meetings
    • City Council will meet on August 5 and 6 to conduct regular business. The City Clerk will post the agenda to http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/schedule.htm when it is ready.
    • Some of the urgent business from the cancelled meetings of Government Management Committee, North York Community Council and Toronto & East York Community Council will be considered by Council on August 5 and 6. All other business will be added to previously scheduled meetings in September.
    • The September cycle of meetings, including agenda closings, will proceed as scheduled.
    • Any changes to the meeting schedule will be posted to the City's website at http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/schedule.htm
  • Property Standards Committee Meetings
    • The regular schedule of Property Standards Committee panels will resume and additional meetings may be scheduled to make up for meetings cancelled during the labour disruption.
  • Committee of Adjustment meetings
  • Environment Days

Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS)

  • MLS District Offices will re-open on Friday, July 31. Municipal Standards Officers will contact residents and applicants for permits or to re-schedule property inspections.
  • Licensing Services will re-open on Friday, July 31.
  • Staff will contact all applicants/licensees who missed mobile business vehicle inspections at the MLS Test Facility at 843 Eastern Avenue; business license trades examinations at 850 Coxwell Avenue, and all taxicab driver/owner and limousine driver/owner training courses at 1530 Markham Road.
  • Business licences
    • Late fees for licenses that expired on the last day of business before the labour disruption will be waived.
  • Business licences trades examinations
    • Fees for 'no show' vehicle inspections will be waived.
  • Inspections
    • Staff will contact applicants for vending and boulevard cafe permits to re-schedule inspections for applications in process.
  • Taxicab/Limousine Industry
    • All applicants who missed vehicle inspections at 843 Eastern Avenue will be contacted by staff.
    • All taxicab owner and driver, and limousine owner and driver training courses at 1530 Markham Road will be rescheduled. Those drivers/owners whose courses were cancelled will be contacted by Municipal Standards Officers to re-schedule. Fees paid for cancelled courses will be applied to the re-scheduled course.
    • For more information about Taxicab Driver Training Courses, visit Toronto.ca/taxitraining.
  • Permit applications in process for temporary signs will be reviewed and fees refunded where warranted.
  • Toronto Animal Services
    • Shelters - all shelters will re-open Friday, July 31. All of the animals in our care received excellent care, including a very clean environment, proper food and water, medical care when warranted, and veterinary examinations at least twice weekly. During the labour disruption, we continued to adopt animals out and to place animals with other rescue organizations to ensure that animals were not left waiting in cages. Sheltering is a stressful environment for animals at any time and we continued try to reduce their stress in many different ways.
    • Adoptions - Animal adoptions will return to regular hours of operations and the public are encouraged to consider visiting the animal centres to adopt one of our pets who are eagerly waiting to find their forever home.
    • Pet licenses - The issuance of dog and cat licenses will be delayed by approximately four weeks following the end of the labour disruption.
    • Volunteers - Animal Services volunteers should contact the volunteer coordinator at our animal centres for information.
    • For more information about Toronto Animal Services, visit toronto.ca/animal_services.
  • For more information about the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division, visit http://www.toronto.ca/licensing.

Parking Permits

  • Full service for the issuance of parking permits will begin on Friday, July 31. The City will allow a grace period until Friday, August 14 for customers to purchase their parking permits and to return for cancellation any parking tags/tickets received during the labour disruption due to their inability to obtain a parking permit.
  • When purchasing a permit, residents should follow the same directions as noted on our website at http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/onstreet/index.htm
  • Please note that any permit parking related tickets will be cancelled through our Permit Parking Service Counters located at City Hall and East York Civic Centre only between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. weekdays.
  • For more information about Permit Parking in the City of Toronto, visit toronto.ca/transportation.

Parking Tickets

Parks, Forestry and Recreation

  • Refunds
    • Ensuring affected customers receive program and permit refunds is a priority for the division. Staff has already begun processing refunds for recreation programs that have been cancelled due to the labour disruption.
    • Affected program registrants and permit holders are not required to call in to get their refund. Refunds will be issued automatically, depending on how payment was received:
  • Visa/Mastercard: account credit
  • Cash/cheque: cheque in the mail.
    • It may take up to 4 to 5 weeks to process all program and permit refunds. All refund, transfer, and cancellation administration fees for ALL summer programs and permits will be waived.
    • Full refunds will be issued for registered recreation programs that did not commence or have been cancelled. Refunds will be pro-rated for programs that commence part way through the session. Beginning on July 31, contact Customer Service at 416-338-4386 for more information about program refunds.
    • Program memberships will be extended by the number of days that the membership could not be used. Community centre staff will mark the memberships accordingly with the new expiration date prominently displayed. Pro-rated refunds will be issued if requested.
    • Full refunds will be issued for one-time permits that did not take place. Seasonal permits will automatically receive a pro-rated refund based upon the number of dates that were cancelled. Beginning on Friday, July 31, please contact 416-392-8118 for more information.
  • Recreation Program Registration
    • Registration for camp programs will be available on Wednesday, August 5. General program registration will continue to be offered through Toronto FUN Online at http://www.toronto.ca/torontofun. In-person registration at civic centres will be available on Friday, July 31 for all programs, except summer camps.
    • In-person registration at Community Centres will be available on Wednesday, August 5.
  • Welcome Policy
    • Applications for Welcome Policy will be accepted at civic centres on Friday, July 31. Approved Welcome Policy members may register for programs as indicated above including online at http://www.toronto.ca/torontofun
  • Camp Programs
    • Registered camp programs run by Parks, Forestry and Recreation are tentatively scheduled to resume on Monday, August 10.
    • Two week sessions that should have begun on Tuesday, August 4 will be reduced to one week if necessary.
    • Registrants can expect to be contacted directly by phone by program staff prior to commencement.
    • Some programs may be cancelled or modified due to low program registration or to the unavailability of staff. To confirm the status of your camp program, visit http://www.toronto.ca/torontofun or call your local community centre after Friday, July 31.
  • General Recreation Programs
    • Drop-in programs may resume by Wednesday, August 5. General registered recreation programs are tentatively scheduled to resume on Saturday, August 8.
    • Please be aware that there may be some unexpected program cancellations due to low registration and unavailability of staff. Cancellations will be posted at http://www.toronto.ca/torontofun or visit or call your local community centre for more information after Friday, July 31.
  • Outdoor Pools
    • The City's outdoor pools are expected to open between Wednesday, August 5 and Saturday, August 8. For a list of pools that have been opened, visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks. Some openings may be delayed due to maintenance or operational issues.
    • Daily instructional programs at outdoor pools will resume on Monday August 10. Please confirm the availability of your program at http://www.toronto.ca/torontofun after August 4. Information will be changing so please check regularly for updates.
  • Indoor Pools
    • Leisure swim programs at the City's indoor pools are expected to resume Wednesday, August 5. Instructional programs at indoor pools may resume as early as Thursday, August 6. Please confirm the availability of your program at http://www.toronto.ca/torontofun after August 4. Information will be changing so please check regularly for updates.
  • Wading Pools
    • Wading pools will re-open on Wednesday, August 5. There may be some delayed openings due to required maintenance.
  • Splash Pads
    • Splash Pads will resume normal operations on Tuesday, August 4. There may be some temporary closures due to required maintenance.
  • Community Centre Operations
    • Community centres are scheduled to re-open for casual use on Friday, July 31. Drop-in programs, permits, in-person registration and other administrative functions will resume on Wednesday, August 5.
  • Golf courses
    • Toronto's five public golf courses will re-open at 10:00 a..m. on Friday, July 31.
    • For more information about operating hours and tee-times, visit toronto.ca/parks/golf.
  • Glen Rouge Campground
  • Conservatories & greenhouses
  • Ornamental Gardens (Rosetta McClain, Music Gardens, Allen Gardens, Edwards Gardens, James Gardens)
    • Ornamental gardens will continue to be open for casual use. Existing photography permits will be honoured beginning Saturday, August 8.
    • Cancelled wedding photography permits will be refunded through PFR customer service (as noted in Refunds above).
  • Allotment Gardens and Community Gardens
    • Full service will resume immediately.
  • Animal farms & PFR zoos:
  • Sports fields
    • Considerable maintenance (including litter removal, grass-cutting and turf rehabilitation) must be carried out at sports fields before we are able to resume full operations. Premier and Class A sports fields (http://www.toronto.ca/parks/pdf/permit-FacilityCategory.pdf) are expected to re-open on Saturday August 8, weather permitting, for existing permit holders. It may take as long as two weeks before all Class B and C fields receive their first cut. To check on the status of your permit, contact Customer Service at 416-392-8188 after Tuesday, August 4.
    • Requests for new permits for sports fields will not be taken until Monday, August 10.
  • Parkland
    • Parks will continue to be open for casual use. Previously booked special event permits will resume on Saturday, August 8 to allow staff time to cut grass, collect and remove litter and garbage. To check on the status of your permit, please contact Customer Service at 416-392-8188 after August 4.
  • Island Ferry service
    • The Island Ferry service will resume on Friday, July 31 on a reduced scheduled. Full service is expected to be restored no later than Saturday, August 1 assuming that there are no issues found upon inspection of the ferries.
    • For more information about Toronto Island Park and the ferry services, visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island.
  • Toronto Island Park Operations
    • Not all park areas or facilities will be up to usual standards.
    • Recreation programs will resume on the Monday, August 10.
  • Arenas and ice permits
    • Permitting staff will begin pre-season and seasonal allocation of ice as early as next week. Applicants can check on the status of their request with the permit office beginning the week of August 10.
  • Urban Forestry
    • Tree Service Maintenance
  • Staff will resume regular operations on Tuesday, August 4, after all equipment has been serviced and appropriate staffing and administrative issues have been resolved. It will take up to one week to achieve regular service levels. Service calls will be addressed on a priority basis.
  • Emergency tree service continues after hours (416-338-TREE or 416-338-8733).
    • Tree Permits & Inspections
  • Staff will resume processing these requests on Friday, July 31 after the resolution of staffing and administrative items. It will take up to one week to reach regular service standards and several weeks to address the backlog of requests.
  • To learn more about Urban Forestry Services Operations, visit http://www.toronto.ca/trees or call 416-338-TREE (8733).

Public Health

  • The majority of Public Health services will resume on Friday, July 31.
  • Call Toronto Health Connection (416-338-7600) for information about service resumption.
  • For more information about services offered by Toronto Public Health, visit http://www.toronto.ca/health.

Public Right of Way Permits

  • Full service for public right of way permits (construction street occupation permits) will begin on Friday, July 31.
  • For more information about construction street occupation permits, visit http://www.toronto.ca/transportation.

Purchasing & Materials Management Division

  • Purchasing Services will resume on Friday, July 31. However there will be delays in the processing of calls currently underway and also in the issuance of new calls.
    • Issuance of Call Documents - Refunds will not be issued for calls that have been suspended. For suspended calls, closing dates will be amended via an addendum and the procurement of goods and services will continue through normal processes. Refunds will only be issued where appropriate and per the normal criteria for the cancellation of a call.
    • Public Openings of Call Documents. - PMMD will likely be dealing with large closings of the various calls that were suspended/delayed due to the labour disruption. This may result in the delay of issuance and closing of new call documents. PMMD is anticipating it may take approximate 3 to 4 weeks at minimum to clear away backlog of calls.

Shelter, Support and Housing

  • Basic services have continued at all shelter locations throughout the labour disruption. Full front line services will be available in shelters within 24 hours of the end of the labour disruption. Full dietary services will resume within 72 hours.
  • The Adelaide Women's Shelter will re-open on the Tuesday, August 4.
  • Basic street outreach services have continued throughout the labour disruption. Full street outreach and housing support services will commence Friday, July 31.
  • The 112 Elizabeth Street Drop-in for Streets to Homes clients will re-open on Tuesday, August 4.
  • Reduced service levels have continued in all sections throughout the labour disruption. Full services will resume on Friday, July 31 in the General Manager's Office, Social Housing Unit, Streets to Homes Administration, Hostel Services Administration, Housing and Homelessness Support and Initiatives, Program Support, and Partnership Development and Support.
  • For more information about the City's Shelter, Support and Housing Division, visit http://www.toronto.ca/housing.

Solid Waste Management (Garbage)

  • Removal of garbage from both open and closed temporary garbage drop-off sites will begin immediately following Council approval of the new CUPE collective agreements.
  • Houses receiving curb-side collection:
    • Collection will resume starting on Tuesday, August 4.
    • Follow your collection calendar regarding day of collection and material to be collected (i.e. do not put out garbage if scheduled for recycling collection).
    • Return to separating your material and placing it in the appropriate bin. Green Bin collection will resume on your scheduled pick-up day starting on August 4.
    • Unlimited waste or recycling following the labour disruption (i.e. two garbage pick-ups and two recycling collection). No yellow tags needed for garbage. Extra recycling should be placed in clear plastic bags. This will be in effect for two weeks only following service resumption.
    • On scheduled pick-up day, leave materials at the curb until collected. Crews may be delayed in finishing their routes.
  • All temporary garbage drop-off sites will continue to accept residential garbage on Friday, July 31 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Check www.toronto.ca for the list of temporary garbage drop-off sites). On Saturday, August 1, the following five sites only will remain open to accept garbage from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All temporary garbage drop-off sites will permanently close on Saturday, August 1 at 7 p.m.
    • Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Arena

580 Finch Ave. W., in parking lot

  • Villiers St.

Paved roadway between Saulter St. and Cherry St.

  • Centennial Arena Community Centre

1967 Ellesmere Rd. Enter off Dolly Varden Blvd., south of Ellesmere

  • Wilket Creek/Sunnybrook Park

1132 Leslie St. Enter off Leslie St., just north of Eglinton Ave. E. Proceed to southern-most parking lot

  • Scarborough Arena

75 Birchmount Rd., in parking lot

  • All Transfer Stations will be closed to the public starting 7 p.m. on Friday, July 31. Transfer Stations will re-open on Tuesday, August 4. All regular charges will apply.
  • Leaf and yard waste collection:

Etobicoke only - yard waste collection will begin week of August 4. Rest of city - yard waste collection will begin the week of August 18. Follow your collection calendar for your scheduled pick-up day.

  • Pick up of electronic waste, noted in the new collection calendar to begin in August, will now begin in September following Labour Day.
  • Apartments/condominiums and apartments above businesses:
    • Collection will begin the week of Tuesday, August 4
    • Pick-up of garbage, recycling, bulky items and green bin organics will resume on the apartment's or building's next scheduled collection day.
  • Yellow Bag commercial customers:
    • Collection will begin the week of Monday, August 3.
    • Service will resume according to the set out and collection policies established prior to the strike.
    • Transfer Stations will re-open for regular commercial business on Tuesday, August 4.
    • For more information about the commercial Solid Waste program, visit toronto.ca/garbage.
  • Litter Services - Litter Bins
    • Service will resume on the morning of Friday, July 31.
  • Litter Services - Street Litter
    • Service will resume on the morning of Friday, July 31.

Technical Services

  • Technical Services will re-open on Friday, July 31. Development review and the issuance of Utility Permits will return to normal service levels.

Toronto Office of Partnerships

  • Services will re-open on the Friday, July 31.
  • For more information about the Toronto Office of Partnerships, visit toronto.ca/top.

Utility (Water and Solid Waste) and Property Tax Bills Service including Customer Service Counters and water meter reading will resume on Friday, July 31.

  • After the labour disruption, all enquiries regarding property tax bills and utility (water/solid waste) bills can be made directly to Revenue Services' Customer Service Tax/Utility Enquiry line at 416-338-4829. Hearing-impaired customers can call our TTY line at 416-392-0719.
  • Written enquiries can be faxed to 416-696-3605, or mailed to:

City of Toronto, Revenue Services Division General Correspondence 5100 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario M2N 5V7

Toronto Water

  • All Toronto Water programs and services are in full operation. All systems were maintained in full compliance with provincial laws and regulations during the labour disruption.
  • Phone, e-mail and written correspondence backlogs will be cleared shortly.
  • For more information about Toronto Water, visit http://www.toronto.ca/water.
  • Swimming Beaches
  • Daily water quality testing at all 11 swimming beaches will resume on Friday, July 31.
  • Limited testing of water quality that exceeds the Ministry of Health's protocol requirements was conducted Mondays to Fridays during the labour disruption at:
    • Sunnyside Beach
    • Cherry Beach
    • Woodbine Beaches
    • Kew-Balmy Beach
    • Bluffer's Park Beach
  • For information about swimming conditions, visit http://www.toronto.ca/beach/swimmingconditions/index.htm

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Media contact: City of Toronto Media Relations line - 416-338-7768
Public information: Call Access Toronto, seven days a week, 24 hours at day, at 416-338-0338 or email accesstoronto@toronto.ca

Content last modified on August 01, 2009, at 03:36 AM EST