How to Reopen Downtown Toronto – The City Wants to Hear From You

Today, Mayor John Tory announced that the City is partnering with 24 major employers, including universities, major banks and insurance institutions to support a gradual reopening of offices and employment centres. Saad Rafi, Chief Recovery and Rebuild Officer, indicated that he expects large offices and office towers will be opened as part of Phase 3 of the Province’s reopening plan and that this will likely be no sooner than September, 2020. The City is strongly encouraging large employers to support telecommuting and protocols like a staggered work day to reduce crowding, particularly on public transit. Toronto Public Health is at the earliest stages of planning consultations with local industry partners to develop best practices and office reopening protocols, but it is clear that these conversations will have to happen relatively quickly. The Municipal Affairs Team at Sussex is tracking this closely and is advising clients on how to ensure their priorities and concerns are captured by the Office of the Mayor and the office of Recovery and Rebuild. Let us know if you, as a major business leader, would like to participate in shaping the future recommendations that will reopen downtown Toronto.

Mayor John Tory and Saad Rafi, head of the economic recovery efforts, also announced the launch of the Recovery Rebuild website, as a broader civil outreach tool and blanket consultation strategy to engage residents, businesses, and other Toronto stakeholders on the future of the City’s rebuilding and economic recovery efforts. A survey has been posted online and the City is looking for input on recovery priorities, ideas for how the City can change and adapt, and actions people would like to see taken. A wide variety of interest groups and associations are expected to use this as a channel for advancing their respective municipal policy agendas. Consequently, this will be one more important opportunity for businesses to highlight their chief concerns. The survey and related materials are available on the City of Toronto website here.  

Please let our Municipal Team know if you need assistance in best positioning your recommendations.