On May 15, 2020, in response to a lawsuit filed by a coalition including HALCO, the City of Toronto entered into an Interim Settlement Agreement to protect the health of shelter residents and others during the COVID-19 pandemic. More information about the lawsuit and the City’s interim agreement can be found here.
On July 6, 2020, due to serious concerns that the City had not in fact reached compliance with its obligations, the coalition announced they are taking the City back to court.
Since mid-March, over 617 people in the shelter system have tested positive for COVID-19, 4 have died, and there have been 38 outbreaks in shelter sites. COVID-19 remains a serious problem for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto. The coalition is committed to ensuring that the City complies fully with its legal obligations, to protect the lives of shelter residents but also the health of shelter employees and the public at large.
The coalition is comprised of the following organizations:
• Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS)
• Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO)
• Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC)
• Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA)
• HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO)
• Sanctuary Ministries Toronto
For updates and materials associated with the court case, please see here.