Toronto Mayor John Tory, in announcing the 2023 budget, has pledged close to $2 billion in gross spending to address the city’s housing crisis. The budget allots $616 million in direct support from the city’s tax base for housing initiatives, apart from spending on the COVID-19 pandemic. The housing initiatives are based on the 2023 Housing…

Toronto Mayor John Tory, in announcing the 2023 budget, is investing close to $2 billion in gross spending toward initiatives to address the city’s housing shortage. The budget allots $616 million in direct support from the city’s tax base for housing initiatives, apart from spending on the COVID-19 pandemic. The housing initiatives are based on…

The City of Toronto has announced it will drop its mandatory vaccination policy for city staff, volunteers, and contractors as of Dec. 1. In a news release issued on Nov. 8, the city said 350 unionized employees who lost their jobs as a result of the mandates are eligible for reinstatement. Approximately 35,000 Toronto employees, out of…

Toronto city councillor Michael Thompson has been charged with sexual assault, according to his lawyer. Defence lawyer Calvin Barry says Thompson, who is in his fifth term as councillor for Scarborough Centre and is seeking re-election in October’s municipal election, faces two counts of sexual assault. Barry says the charges are “on the lower end…

TORONTO—A civil liberties lawyer says a decision by the City of Toronto to bill a restaurant owner nearly $200,000 to cover the cost of enforcing lockdown regulations raises concerns about people’s constitutionally protected right to protest. Adam Skelly, the owner of Adamson Barbecue, opened his restaurant for indoor dining in November in violation of COVID-19…