An Open Letter to Honourable Steve Clark,
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Dear Minister Steve Clark,
The Federation of South Toronto Residents’ Associations (FoSTRA) and the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations (FoNTRA) encompass over 50 resident organizations and some 675,000 Torontonians within our boundaries.
In April 2020, the City of Toronto’s bylaws limiting construction noise were suspended by Ontario provincial regulations 130/20 and 131/20 that permitted extended construction hours for a period of 18 months (till October 2021).
We recognize and understand the need for the Covid-19 related restrictions that were imposed on the various business sectors and social interactions over the last twelve months. All of Ontario is encouraged by the progress against Covid-19 through the aggressive and successful execution of the vaccination programs. As we look forward to the opportunity to return to some semblance of normal life, we believe now is the appropriate time to revisit the noise guidelines that extended construction hours on essential projects during the pandemic. Although the extended hours served a purpose, the recent rapid decline in Covid-19 cases and high vaccination rates would suggest they are no longer necessary. As we move out of Step 1 of the provincial reopening roadmap to Step 2 (June 30, 2021), families across Toronto would very much welcome a return to the former City construction noise bylaws.
We respectfully request that the provincial government immediately repeal Ontario regulations 130/20 & 130/21 dated April 7, 2020 and re-instate existing municipal bylaws regarding construction noise.
Respectfully,
Rick Green, Acting Chair, FoSTRA
Geoff Kettel, Co-Chair, FoNTRA
Cathie MacDonald, Co-Chair, FoNTRA
c.c. John Tory, Mayor