City of Toronto Council and committee meetings transitioning to a hybrid model with open public galleries starting March 22

Today, the City of Toronto announced that City Council and committee meetings will transition to a hybrid model, starting with the General Government and Licensing committee meeting on March 22. Members of Council will have the option to attend meetings in-person or remotely. The public will also be able to choose to attend and make deputations either in person or virtually.

Standing committees, community councils and Council meetings will be the first to adopt the hybrid model. Council advisory bodies, boards (including the Toronto Board of Health), tribunals and panels supported by the City Clerk’s Office will continue to be conducted online only, and will move to the hybrid model at a later date.

Hybrid meetings will begin in the Council Chamber to maximize space for all participants. Members of Council who wish to attend meetings in-person must be fully vaccinated as per Council’s decision on December 15 (http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2021.MM38.28), which is defined as two doses of a two-dose series or one dose of a single-dose vaccine, and provide proof of vaccination. Masking and physical distancing measures for the public will be aligned to provincial health and safety guidance.

Participants attending meetings virtually will continue to do so using an online video conferencing platform. The public can view the live stream of the meetings at www.YouTube.com/TorontoCityCouncilLive.

The transition of Council and committee meetings to a hybrid model follows the February 22 reopening (www.toronto.ca/news/city-of-toronto-reopening-city-hall-and-civic-centres-for-counter-services/) of select in-person counter services at City Hall and civic centres, and the return of office workers to City offices and work locations. Starting March 21, a full return to office will be in place and the public will be allowed to access public areas beyond the counters at City Hall and civic centres.

The health and safety of residents, businesses and City staff remain key priorities in the reopening plans. All provincial, public health and occupational health and safety regulations and guidelines will be followed. As provincial, public health and occupational health and safety regulations and guidelines evolve, corresponding updates to City services and operating hours will be posted on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services webpage: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/affected-city-services/.

Since the pandemic began in 2020, Toronto City Council and committee meetings have been conducted virtually, with the first ever virtual Council meeting taking place on April 30, 2020.

SOURCE City of Toronto