Will Toronto’s fun summer programs stick around as COVID restrictions ease?

People exercise in the warm weather in Toronto, on Sunday, May 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

The City of Toronto implemented a number of summer programs over the past two years since the pandemic started in 2020.

Despite COVID-19 restrictions rolling away, many of them are here to stay.

CTV News Toronto has compiled a list of which programs will return for another year.

CaféTO

The CaféTO program, which allowed for restaurant and bar operators to expand their outdoor dining spaces onto curb lanes and sidewalks, started up to provide a safer option amid the pandemic and to help struggling businesses cope with COVID-19 closures.

Last November, Toronto council voted in favour of making the CafeTO program a permanent fixture of city life starting in 2023. The program was also revived for summer 2022, and the city asked bars, restaurants and cafes to start registering in January to expedite the application and permitting process.

Summer CampTO

For the third straight year, the City of Toronto is offering its in-person summer day camp programs. However, the big change this year will be the absence of COVID-19 restrictions. This program will run from July 4 to Sept. 2 and will be open to children and youth between the ages of four and 16.

ActiveTO

ActiveTO will continue in some form into 2022. The city says it will continue to expand Toronto's cycling network and close major roads to traffic so that people in the city have access to more recreation space on weekends. The city told CTV News Toronto on Tuesday that more details would be announced soon about the program.

Outdoor recreation programs

Amid the pandemic, The City of Toronto came up with a couple of initiatives to provide free outdoor programs in parks for children and youth in Toronto, including the ParksPlayTO program for children aged 12 and younger and the Summer is the 6IX program for youth aged 13 to 24.

On Tuesday, the city said the programs are not yet scheduled for 2022, but information about the programs will be available in the “near future.”

Toronto Top Stories

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Homeowners brace for mortgage payment shock amid higher-for-longer rate outlook

From ultra-low interest rates that led to a huge spike in real estate demand to the speed with which interest rates shot up to levels not seen in a generation, it's been hard to keep up with the shifting landscape for mortgage holders.

McDonald's, Wendy's defeat lawsuit over size of burgers

McDonald's and Wendy's have defeated a lawsuit accusing them of deceiving hungry diners by exaggerating the size of their burgers.

New study shows where you fall on new internet addiction spectrum

Researchers have come up with categories for people who are addicted to the internet and for those who are at risk.

Trump seethes through the start of trial in New York lawsuit accusing him of lying about his wealth

Aggrieved and defiant, former U.S. president Donald Trump sat through hours of sometimes testy opening statements Monday in a fraud lawsuit that could cost him control of Trump Tower and other prized properties.

What you need to know about the election of a new Speaker

On Tuesday, MPs will be electing a new Speaker of the House of Commons, in the wake of Anthony Rota's resignation. It will be a day for the Canadian political history books, as well as a day full of pomp and procedure. Here's what you need to know about the role, the contenders, and the process.

Election day: PQ's Pascal Paradis wins Jean-Talon

Parti Québécois (PQ) candidate Pascal Paradis has won the byelection in the Quebec City area riding of Jean-Talon Monday, knocking the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) candidate to second place and growing the PQ's modest presence in the National Assembly.
Woman, 79, killed at Quebec seniors residence; suspect, 81, under watch in hospital

A 79-year-old woman was killed on Saturday in a seniors' residence in Terrebonne, in the Lanaudière region north of Montreal. An 81-year-old man is considered a suspect in the case, but he is still unconscious in hospital.
Montreal food depot forced to turn people away amid increasing demand

The demand for services at the Depot Community Food Centre in NDG has gotten so high that, for the first time since it opened, the organization has had to start turning people away.

London

One person dies after crash in Middlesex Centre

OPP say one person has died after a commercial vehicle hit a hydro pole in Middlesex Centre.
Masking guidelines revised at LHSC and St. Joseph’s: Here’s what you need to know

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) are joining hospitals across the region in adjusting masking guidelines.
Sudden death investigation at West Middlesex Memorial Arena Park

The Strathroy-Caradoc Police Service is investigating a sudden death at the West Middlesex Memorial Arena Park behind the arena.

Kitchener

'There are thousands of us': Sixties Scoop survivor shares story following National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Tauni Sheldon is often referred to as “the picture-perfect baby” with full cheeks, almond-shaped eyes and sporting a frilly white dress.
Four teens arrested in connection to Pride flag taken from school and burned: Police

Waterloo regional police have arrested four teenagers after they say a Pride flag was taken from a Kitchener high school, trampled on, and burned.
'Our communities really answer our calls': Funds for dog's emergency surgery raised in hours

A fundraiser for a one-year-old's emergency surgery only needed five hours to meet its goal.

Northern Ontario

BREAKING
BREAKING Teen dies in ATV rollover on Wahanpitae First Nation near Sudbury

Tragedy has struck another northern Ontario family, as a 14-year-old boy from Wahnapitae First Nation was killed in an ATV rollover marking the 10th death in the region involving an off-road vehicle since July.
Northern Ont. driver crashed after fleeing RCMP, throwing beer cans out window

A 35-year-old northern Ontario driver is charged with impaired driving after allegedly evading Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba, throwing beer cans out the window and assaulting his passenger before crashing vehicle into a ditch.
Sudbury police use surveillance video to catch trio of mugging suspects

A violent attack on man lying on the ground in a downtown Sudbury underpass tunnel was captured on surveillance video and police are looking for the third suspect who fled.

Ottawa

One dead after driver strikes two pedestrians in Sandy Hill

Ottawa police say a woman in her 40s is dead after a driver struck her and another person in Sandy Hill.
Ottawa Student Transportation Authority apologizes for lack of school bus drivers; manager taking leave of absence

The chief administrative officer and general manager of the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) is taking a leave of absence after a tumultuous start to the school year.
One person suffers life-threatening injury after hitting horse on Highway 417

Ontario Provincial Police say a driver suffered a life-threatening injury in an overnight crash on Highway 417 that involved horses that had wandered onto the highway.

Windsor

'We heard them loud and clear': standing room only at Unifor Local 444 membership meeting

Unifor Local 444 officials are preparing for contract negotiations with Stellantis while a deadline with General Motors looms and a large portion of local union membership raise concern over the pattern set by Ford.
UWindsor gets 'best-ever' placement in global ranking

The University of Windsor has achieved its highest-ever position in the World University Rankings by the Times Higher Education.
Homeowners brace for mortgage payment shock amid higher-for-longer rate outlook

From ultra-low interest rates that led to a huge spike in real estate demand to the speed with which interest rates shot up to levels not seen in a generation, it's been hard to keep up with the shifting landscape for mortgage holders.

Barrie

Bradford Library workers strike ends, case goes to arbitration

After ten weeks of strike action, library workers in Bradford West Gwillimbury will be returning to work.
Fire causes $2 million in damage to Muskoka cottage

Muskoka Lakes fire crews spent several hours battling a large cottage fire on Camp Jackson Road in Muskoka, on Sunday.
Food truck explosion prompts investigation in Gravenhurst

Emergency crews are investigating after a food truck exploded in Gravenhurst Sunday morning.

Atlantic

Halifax police say arrests made following 'unsanctioned student gathering'

Police say they've made arrests and issued summary offence tickets after an "unsanctioned student gathering" in Halifax.
Highly successful hockey weekend in Cape Breton

A sell-out crowd of nearly 5,000 fans filled Sydney's Centre 200 on Sunday to witness the first NHL Exhibition game on the island in a long-time.
Minimum wage rises in six provinces, but is it enough?

Amid a cost-of-living crisis driving up food bank visits and economic anxiety, the minimum wage increased in six provinces today – but both advocates and critics fear it may not be enough to tackle the overarching problem.

Calgary

2 Calgary weekend shootings believed to be connected, targeted: police

Police believe two shootings in southwest and southeast Calgary over the weekend are connected and targeted the same person.
Grizzly bear attacks rare, but a risk in wilderness, experts say after Banff deaths

Grizzly bear experts say fatal attacks are extremely rare, but it's always a risk when people venture into the wilderness.
Alberta launches respiratory virus dashboard with COVID-19, influenza and RSV data

After limited updates on respiratory virus statistics, the Alberta government launched its COVID-19, influenza and RSV dashboard on Monday.

Winnipeg

'High interest election': Less than 24 hours until Manitobans go to the polls

The clock is counting down on the provincial election campaign trail, and it's been anhistoric year for advance voting as a record 200,790 Manitobans cast their ballots ahead of time.
'We are dead inside': Mother of 3 lost to alleged drunk driver

A Winnipeg family is in mourning after a mother of three was killed by a alleged drunk driver last week.
5 dead after single-vehicle crash near Swan River, Man.

Swan River RCMP are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed five people in western Manitoba Saturday afternoon.

Vancouver

Paralyzed varsity quarterback makes emotional return to Vancouver field

Two months after varsity quarterback Gavin Kamoschinski broke his neck, the 17-year-old returned to the football field Saturday to inspire his teammates.
'It was heartbreaking': Okanagan family targeted by thieves after losing home to wildfire

After a family from B.C.'s Okanagan lost their home to the McDougall Creek wildfire, looters decided to ransack what little they had left.
Cities should cover the costs when bears killed on their land, say B.C. advocates

An animal rights charity has suggested that B.C. cities, towns and perhaps even homeowners should be charged each time a conservation officer is required to deal with a nuisance bear that’s habituated to human food or garbage.

Edmonton

Alberta launches respiratory virus dashboard with COVID-19, influenza and RSV data

After limited updates on respiratory virus statistics, the Alberta government launched its COVID-19, influenza and RSV dashboard on Monday.
Alberta doesn't plan to increase minimum wage as 6 provinces raise theirs

Six provinces raised their minimum wage this weekend but Alberta has no plans to adjust its base pay of $15 per hour introduced in 2018.
Homicide detectives investigating death outside downtown Edmonton shelter

A 39-year-old man is dead after he was found injured outside a downtown Edmonton shelter Sunday afternoon.

Will Toronto’s fun summer programs stick around as COVID restrictions ease?

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING | Teen dies in ATV rollover on Wahanpitae First Nation near Sudbury

Stay Connected

BREAKING Teen dies in ATV rollover on Wahanpitae First Nation near Sudbury