Ford Announces Reduction in Size of Social Gatherings Allowed in Toronto

The Ford government is implementing stricter rules for social gatherings in COVID-19 hotspots throughout the province. This includes reducing the size of public gatherings down to 10 people inside and 25 outdoors following a surge in new COVID-19 cases.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement Thursday afternoon and said the restrictions will only be implemented in three regions, including Toronto, Peel, and Ottawa.

Ford says the restrictions will apply to functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs, or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks, and other recreational areas. The new restrictions will not apply to "staffed businesses," which includes restaurants, movie theatres, banquet halls, and gyms as these facilities are mandated to follow very specific public health and safety guidelines to minimize risk and limit any spread of COVID-19.

The new measures include a $10,000 minimum fine for "organizers of illegal social gatherings," as well as the current $750 fine for those who attend those gatherings that do not respect emergency rules.

"We will throw the book at you if you break the rules, and we cannot afford to have a few rule-breakers reverse all of the progress Ontario has made over the past six months," Ford said during a press conference.

The new rules take effect in Ottawa, Toronto and Peel Region on Friday at 12:01 am.

READ: Ford Says More Shutdowns Not Off the Table After ‘Disturbing’ Spike in COVID Cases

"We have been working hand-in-hand with our medical officials and our mayors to try and slow down and limit new cases in the regions with the highest rates of transmission," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

"This targeted action is in direct response to the latest data, which tells us that increased cases are the result of private and social gatherings. By limiting the number of people permitted at a social gathering in these regions, we will reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep people safe."

To support better compliance with public health guidelines, both within these three regions and across Ontario, amendments to the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act would, if passed, create:

A new offence regarding hosting or organizing a gathering in residential premises or other prescribed premises that exceeds limits under an order.

A minimum fine of $10,000 for organizers of these gatherings.

Authority for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to prescribe additional types of premises for the purpose of the new offence.

Authority for a police officer, special constable or First Nations constable to order the temporary closure of a premise where there are reasonable grounds to believe that any gathering exceeding the number of people allowed is taking place and require individuals to leave the premises.

This announcement comes as Ontario recorded 315 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, the highest daily count of infections reported since early June. In Toronto, 85 new cases were confirmed on Thursday, along with 63 in Peel Region, and 39 in Ottawa.

Toronto

Ford Announces Reduction in Size of Social Gatherings Allowed in Toronto

The Ford government is implementing stricter rules for social gatherings in COVID-19 hotspots throughout the province.

Trending

You may also like

​The Versante Hotel sits at 8499 Bridgeport Road in Richmond, near YVR, and has been made available for purchase via private sale.

Today, the Ford government announces the largest GO train service expansion in more than a decade.​

​From what started as a management company for Pinemount Developments' own rental buildings, Holt Meadow has grown to a contracted-out property management service.

A community just isn’t complete without a carefully crafted communal area where residents can come together to break bread, unwind from their busy day, and connect with one another. This experienced is enhanced even further when that space is built out with beauty top of mind.

According to Andrew Graham, co-founder & CEO of Borrowell, Open banking would help level the playing field for renters, allowing them to build credit with rent payments.

​The 1555 Robson Street property, which was previously owned by Align Properties, was put up for sale in February.

“As population growth slows with caps on non-permanent residents and supply increases as rental completions continue to rise, rent growth should continue to moderate towards more sustainable levels.”

Canada’s largest airport, Toronto Pearson, is getting a little work done thanks to a Long-Term Investment in Facilities and Terminals (LIFT) initiative.​

​Trudeau continues his spree of housing announcements as we near Budget Day next week.

However, “weekly tracking” from CREA reveals “a bounce in new supply” around the second week of March, which lead to “a burst of sales” by the end of the month and “a jump in listings” by the first week of April.

A handful of shiny new transit-oriented communities rising in Mississauga — including Liberty Development’s Canopy Towers — are not only redefining the city's skyline, but rewriting what it means to live there.

“Efficiency of the design is really the mantra of Liberty Development; product mix is very important when you’re putting together a condo development,” says Shawn Richardson, Director of Sales and Marketing, Liberty Development Corporation.

“It is clear we are rapidly transitioning away from a buyers’ market and back to an environment where the seller has the upper hand,” says Royal LePage President Phil Soper.

This sprawling waterfront estate feels more like a luxury European villa than a typical cottage getaway, and its the perfect destination for full-family fun.

Described in the listing as “rare art,” the sprawling property is unlike any other on the picture-perfect Shuswap Lake in BC, if not unlike any other in the entire country.

In this series, presented by Spark, STOREYS explores British Columbia's spring market. In today's instalment: a dive into how over the past few months, Metro Vancouver has seen an influx of presale buyer incentives that's reflective of the current state of the market.

2024 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved

The Versante Hotel sits at 8499 Bridgeport Road in Richmond, near YVR, and has been made available for purchase via private sale.

Today, the Ford government announces the largest GO train service expansion in more than a decade.

From what started as a management company for Pinemount Developments' own rental buildings, Holt Meadow has grown to a contracted-out property management service.

The 1555 Robson Street property, which was previously owned by Align Properties, was put up for sale in February.

Canada’s largest airport, Toronto Pearson, is getting a little work done thanks to a Long-Term Investment in Facilities and Terminals (LIFT) initiative.

Trudeau continues his spree of housing announcements as we near Budget Day next week.