June 17, 2020

Dear Downtown Yonge BIA members,
 
The staff and board of the Downtown Yonge BIA are engaged and actively working to support the membership during this time, working closely with the City of Toronto, relevant agencies and other BIAs throughout the city to ensure the health and safety of all our community stakeholders.

We believe our primary role in this time of crisis it to ensure the Downtown Yonge community can access accurate, up-to-the-minute information from the appropriate, expert sources. As stewards of the Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, we are focused on making sure our members and stakeholders can navigate the current situation as quickly and effectively as possible.
 
Below is a round-up of critical links and resources:
New Updates
Member Call-Out- Canada Day Promotional Opportunity
With no physical gathering to celebrate Canada Day, we are moving online.

We are working with Snapd for an augmented reality fireworks experience. Leading to Canada Day, we will have a listing of different Canada Day Themed events that people can preview or download to do ahead of time. There will also be suggestions of things people can do on Canada Day in the Downtown Yonge neighbourhood. Then at 9:30PM, people can point their mobile devices to the sky to watch a virtual fireworks.
 
There are couple of ways to engage and promote your business –
  • Send us an 800 x 300 pixel art work, we will put it as a banner ad in the event page
  • Let us know if you are open, online or at the physical store on Canada Day and let us know what the offerings have. We can include it in a list of what’s open or part of the activities you can do in Downtown Yonge.
 
We request that all materials be submitted on or before Monday, June 22 to  cdiego@downtownyonge.com
NEW: Father's Day Downtown Yonge At Home Guide
We've got another Downtown Yonge At Home guide, this time a special Father's Day edition!

Toronto Public Health provides expanded guidance to help prepare more businesses and locations for a safe reopening
Toronto Public Health has expanded the number of guidance documents available to help local businesses and community organizations to prepare for safe reopening when the city receives provincial approval for Stage 2 reopening. These documents will provide guidance on adjusting operations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Certain businesses and workplaces may begin to prepare to reopen by reviewing public health guidance to help them to operate safely when we reach stage 2. Some of these measures include ensuring physical distancing measures are in place, staff and customers use cloth masks where physical distancing is not possible, and keeping a log of staff and customers with check-in times and contact information to help public health notify individuals, if needed.

TTC requiring masks or face coverings as of July 2
Effective July 2, masks or face coverings are mandatory when travelling on the TTC, with the exception of:
  • Children under two years of age.
  • Persons with an underlying medical condition which inhibits the ability to wear a mask or face covering.
  • Persons who are unable to place or remove a mask or face covering without assistance.
  • TTC employees and agents within an area designated for TTC personnel and not for public access, or within or behind a physical barrier or shield.
  • Additional accommodations in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code will also be considered.
The Pink Basket- Free business directory
Is your business providing products or services for the Greater Toronto Area during COVID-19 downtime, that you want the LGBTQ2S+ community to know about?

Businesses operating essential services, online shopping, remote services, delivery, curbside pick up, and such, can post their business on The Pink Basket, a free and simple directory that will help get the word out about your business.

DYBIA 1-pager of Free Programs Available for Members
The Downtown Yonge BIA has created a 1-page infographic sharing 5 programs available to all members for free from the City of Toronto and DYBIA.


City of Toronto opens registration for CaféTO 
The City has released the registration form for businesses who wish to participate in the CafeTO program.


The City has also released a CafeTO Placement Guidebook to help businesses better understand program requirements and other details necessary for the safe and accessible installation of a temporary sidewalk café or curb lane café.


Below you will find the different configurations as part of CafeTO and CurbTO . If your restaurant or bar is interested in having one of these in front of your business, please reach out to bia@downtownyonge.com.
Frontage Cafe
Located immediately adjacent to the frontage wall of a bar/restaurant
Curbside Cafes
Located close to the curb, pedestrians walk between the cafe and the building frontage.
Small Frontage Cafe (no permit required)
Single line of seating, with or without tables, along the frontage wall of a bar/restaurant
Parklet Cafes
Located in the curb/parking lane of a street
Reserved Curb Space
for line ups OR to be used for cars for deliveries (not both). 
NEW: Free Webinar for DYBIA Members- Mental Health Recognition and Response during COVID-19-
July 8, 2020 9am-10:30am
This webinar is focused on developing your capacity to respond to individuals experiencing distress.

It is particularly helpful for groups working with the public or providing customer service.

In these particularly challenging times, stress levels are higher for everyone. In this webinar, we’ll explore using supportive communication and de-escalation skills in the era of COVID-19.


Government Updates
City of Toronto Releases videos on mask-wearing
The City of Toronto has released 3 short videos to help Torontonians understand proper mask usage, and choosing the right face mask.

Ontario Proposing Temporary Ban on Commercial Evictions
The proposed changes to the Commercial Tenancies Act would, if passed, temporarily halt evictions of businesses that are eligible for federal/provincial rent assistance.

If passed, the legislation would reverse evictions that occurred on or after June 3, 2020. The government intends to bring this legislation forward as soon as possible.

If passed, the proposed legislation would make it illegal to evict a commercial tenant until August 31, 2020.  

Free business advice from accounting and tax professionals
A new four-week program by the  Canadian Chamber of Commerce  is providing  free business advice  from accounting and tax professionals for small to medium-sized businesses, not-for-profits and charities. Funded by the Government of Canada, the  Business Resilience Service  provides guidance on available programs and eligibility, and helps make connections with the appropriate support organizations. The service is available until June 19.

The program, delivered to organizations free of charge, will:
  • Provide guidance on program options and eligibility
  • Rapidly direct businesses – including enterprises involving Indigenous peoples, women and diverse groups – to the most appropriate support organizations
  • Help organizations make decisions to support recovery plans
  • Provide real time insights and feedback to policymakers
Partnership expanded between 211 and Ontario Psychological Association to increase access to psychological services during COVID-19 for frontline workers
This announcement expands OPA's current Disaster Response Network (DRN) program in Toronto with 211 Central to the rest of the province.

The DRN program can provide up to 6 mental health treatment sessions with a psychologist at no cost for frontline workers in any industry, and their dependants, who may have developed mental health struggles and have no, or limited, extended health coverage. 

Frontline persons requiring mental health coverage can be referred and guided to DRN services by calling 211. Community Navigators will confirm eligibility for the program and help register frontline workers through the OPA portal, where they will be matched with an appropriate resource.

City of Toronto Reopening Park Washrooms
The City of Toronto began to open some of its approximately 200 parks washrooms across the city following the Province of Ontario’s amendments to an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.The reopening will occur in two phases.

The first phase will have roughly 50 washroom sites opening by June 6, followed by the remaining locations by mid-June.

City of Toronto Survey on Recovery, Rebuilding and Emerging Post-COVID19
Have your say on how Toronto can recover, rebuild and emerge from this pandemic even stronger.

Residents, businesses and communities will play a significant role in successfully restoring communities and social and economic infrastructure. The City will continue to engage with institutions, the community and partners to get input that will help shape the City’s actions around recovery and rebuild.

The survey closes June 30, 2020.

City of Toronto's Business AdviceTO
The City of Toronto’s Business AdviceTO program is a series of free weekly online networking and mentoring events for tech, retail, and female-led businesses. The online events encourage sharing, learning and growing with other entrepreneurs and leaders mitigating through COVID-19. These include:

Business AdviceTO with Partners SheEO World – Female Founders

Business AdviceTO with Partners Retail Insider – Retail Sector

Business AdviceTO with Partners TechTO – Tech Sector

Financial Assistance for Property Owners from City of Toronto
The City understands some residents and businesses may be experiencing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Property owners will be able to request additional time to pay their taxes without incurring late payment penalties or interest charges for a six month period effective June 1 to November 30, 2020.

The additional time given to pay your property taxes does not reduce the amount of taxes that are owed to the City of Toronto.

Other Links
Downtown Yonge Resources
Downtown Toronto Drop-In Resource- Updated Changes due to COVID-19- June 9, 2020
To keep up with constant changes in the social services sector, we have created a simplified version of the Drop-In Resource that lists the changes in drop-ins around Downtown Yonge during this pandemic. We will be updating this list regularly as changes arise. Please click here for the list.
Repairs to Sidewalks, Roadway, and Milling & Paving of Yonge St from Gerrard St to King St
The City of Toronto will be repairing sidewalks, roadway, and milling & paving of Yonge St starting in June, 2020. The boundaries of the work are from Gerrard St to King St.

Downtown Yonge At Home- Nature Lovers Guide
We've got another Downtown Yonge At Home guide, this time for the nature lovers out there!

New Contact details for Yonge Street Neighbourhood Community Police Officers
The contact details for the Yonge Street Neighbourhood Community Officers have changed.

Bring Back Main Street
DYBIA is one of the nationwide members of the Main Street Action Network in the "Bring Back Main Street" campaign that was announced today by the Canadian Urban Institute. The research and advocacy campaign will look at support for businesses as we recover and emerge from the COVID crisis.

Downtown Yonge Initiative: Yonge Locals
#YongeLocals is a campaign we have created to highlight the businesses operating in the Downtown Yonge community and the local Torontonians behind them. Fill out our quick form and have your business highlighted on our social media for free !


Crime Prevention Tips for Businesses
Toronto Police Service 52 Division has offered some tips for businesses that are having to close their physical stores due to COVID-19.

  1. Ensure locks, alarms and CCTV are operational 
  2. Track inventory and update insurance coverage 
  3. When checking your business, do so during the day. 
  4. Display empty cash drawer in window view 
  5. Leave lights on inside and out 
  6. Tell your business neighbours your plan 
  7. Post emergency contact keyholder information inside the store 
  8. Remove high-value items from window view 
  9. Back up all business documentation 
  10. Report suspicious activity by calling non-emergency line (416) 808-2222 
How to Report a Crime Infographic
A reminder that community safety is a shared responsibility for all. Without your reporting, the Toronto Police Service do not know what is going on in the community. If you see something, report it. To see the different ways to report a crime, click here for our How to Report a Crime infographic.
Downtown Yonge BIA Updates
A reminder to Downtown Yonge BIA members that the Community Engagement Team and the Clean Streets Team are off the street until further notice due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For any issues or concerns in the public realm, or if you see someone who you believe needs assistance, call 311.

In case of an emergency, call 911.

For the most up-to-date information on the Downtown Yonge BIA, please follow us on social media @DowntownYonge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
We encourage members to reach out if they have any questions or concerns.
Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area
T: 416-597-0255