The City of Toronto has finally committed to enforceable physical distancing standards across its shelter system that will protect the lives of Toronto’s most vulnerable population during this pandemic crisis.

Last month, our coalition of frontline homelessness service providers and human rights groups filed a lawsuit against the City and the Province of Ontario for failing to urgently protect the lives of those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.

The coalition is pleased to announce that an interim agreement has been reached with the City that will protect the lives of shelter residents but also the health of shelter employees and the public at large.

The terms of the agreement are:

1.The City is required to use best efforts to “achieve without delay and thereafter sustain” 2 metres between beds and end the use of bunk beds across the City’s shelters, respites, and overnight drop-ins.

2.The City is required to provide shelter to all shelter system clients by making available such beds as is necessary to achieve physical distancing standards across the shelter system.

3.All individuals who received any support services from the City’s shelter system since March 11, including those now in encampments who left the shelter system because of fears of COVID-19, are included within the scope of the City’s obligations under the settlement.

4.The City will report regularly on its progress until it reaches and sustains compliance for 2 months.

In exchange for the City’s commitments as contained in the agreement, the coalition agreed to adjourn its injunction motion, which had been scheduled to be heard by Justice Lorne Sossin of the Superior Court of Justice on June 8, 2020.

To read about this case: https://ccla.org/toronto-must-defend-homeless/

To read the public summary of the agreement: https://ccla.org/cclanewsite/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Interim-Settlement-Agreement-.pdf