Tourism represents 2 percent of Canada’s gross domestic product,  supports  supports 1.8 million tourism jobs in Canada.

The Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec reported that approximately 355,100 jobs and 32,000 businesses in Quebec were supported by tourism industry.

During her tourism roundtables in Belœil, Cookshire-Eaton, Jonquière and Rimouski, since Nov 2018, Joly gained valuable insight from key tourism stakeholders, which,  she said, would help maximize Canada’s tourism potential.

The creation of Advisory Council on Jobs and the Visitor Economy by Joly before the commencement of her listening tour, would reportedly help identify important issues of Canada's tourism sector as well as  provide advice and recommendations on increasing its competitiveness.

Joly said that would continue her listening tours, which, she hoped would expand tourism opportunities in Canada in attracting new visitors in every region, rural and urban, of the country. 

“Our government knows that tourism helps every part of the country...Their unique experiences and the work of the Council will inform our new federal tourism strategy to maximize Canada’s potential. The future is bright for Canadian tourism,” said Joly.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

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Bike Month Celebration

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"The City of Toronto is committed to improving how people move around the city," said Mayor John Tory. "That includes investing in bike lanes and other infrastructure so that cycling is safer and easier in Toronto. Cycling is a great way to get around the city, and it's good for fitness and for the environment." 

The City of Toronto, since 1989 has worked with the cycling community encouraging people to get on their bikes.

The City of Toronto is once again partnering with Cycle Toronto to deliver Bike Month programming this year. 

To achieve the City’s target of  80 percent reduction in local greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as identified in its TransformTO Climate Action Strategy, 75 percent of all trips under five kilometres will need to be cycled or walked by 2050.
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#CityofToronto; #BrookfieldInstituteforInnovation+Entrepreneurship; #VisionZeroChallenge; 


Toronto, May 15 (Canadian-Media): The City of Toronto and the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship at Ryerson University are inviting skilled citizens to participate in the Vision Zero Challenge, which will be launched on May 31.

Vision Zero Challenge/Facebook

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Individual or group participating teams had been asked by the eight-week Vision Zero Challenge to develop data-driven solutions to help identify where policy-makers should prioritize transportation safety improvements in the immediate, medium and long term.

"We're inviting civic innovators, data analysts, designers, planners, academics and advocates to participate in the challenge," said Mayor John Tory. "We want to know how data, design and technology can be used to make all road users in Toronto, especially seniors and school children, safer immediately."

Each team will be given access to research and policy materials, data sets and capacity building tools to advance their ideas. Throughout the Challenge, mentors will help teams refine their ideas and build robust solutions.

Solutions will be evaluated in two phases using standardized judging criteria. Winning teams will be announced in September and awarded $7,000 for first prize and $3,000 for the runner-up. Both teams will have the option of entering into Civic Hall Toronto to take part in a six-month coaching and training program to further refine and build out their solution, working closely with City staff.

"The safety of Toronto's streets remains a top priority for the City," said Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley West), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. "The Challenge is an opportunity to create actionable, data-based solutions to improve safety for all road users."

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 #JohnTory, #roadsafetymeasures; #PublicWorksandInfrastructureCommittee; #​Trafficwardens
 
Toronto, May 1 (Canadian-Media): This morning, Mayor John Tory outlined next steps on a number of traffic measures to get Toronto moving including traffic wardens, photo radar and road safety measures. These next steps are outlined in a new report from City staff going to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee next week.
 
“I am continuing to identify and move forward with steps to get this city moving better and safer,” said Mayor Tory. “To those who want to get to work and back home again in a timely manner – whether they take transit, walk, bike or drive – this is good news.” 

John Tory/Facebook page

​​This report will allow the City this year to move ahead with traffic wardens in key intersections; soon deploy photo radar in school zones, beginning with a pilot this summer; identify 100 new school safety zones across the city; lift an 18-year-old moratorium on the installation of new community safety zones and allow the City to double the fine for speeding in the area; and streamline the process for road safety measures to be installed on local streets.
 
Starting next Monday, paid duty police officers will be deployed  to operate until traffic wardens are hired and trained. 

​Traffic wardens were approved in this year’s City budget. The positions will be publicly posted later this week. 
 
“These changes moving ahead will help ensure better safety measures on our streets, particularly around schools and in neighbourhoods, while addressing gridlock in some of the city’s busiest intersections,” said Mayor Tory. 

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#John Tory,  #VisionZeroRoadSafetyPlan,  #“SlowDownToronto”,  #TorontoPoliceService,  #PeterYuen,  #YvonnedeWit,  #BarbaraGray,  #trafficcalmin measures

Toronto, Mar 19 (Canadian-Media): City of Toronto had announced launching of several new initiatives in the next few weeks to improve road safety message “slow down Toronto” in school zones, media reports said.

These initiatives, which are reportedly part of the City’s $86-million Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, will coincide with a two-week “Slow Down Toronto” campaign by the Toronto Police Service in school zones.

Toronto Mayor John Tory, joined by Deputy Chief Peter Yuen from the Toronto Police Service, Yvonne de Wit, Director of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention with Toronto Public Health, and Barbara Gray, General Manager, Transportation Services, announced today at Cornell Junior Public School in Scarborough, Ontario. 

“The safety of all pedestrians, but particularly children, must be a priority in this city. One pedestrian death is one too many," Tory was reported to state. We are working to prevent these deaths and protect our residents across the city. "We all have a responsibility to share our streets in a courteous and safe way. I am committed to making sure all those who use our roads – pedestrians, cyclists and drivers – can get where they need to go as safely and efficiently as possible." 

​John Tory/Facebook page

​“These tragedies are unacceptable," Yuen reportedly said. "Toronto Police Service is committed to doing everything we can to make our roads safer. Over the next two weeks, officers will be paying special attention to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists who commit traffic violations that may jeopardize pedestrian safety in school zones.” 

Measures planned for the first quarter of 2018 in school zones include: A two-week “Slow Down Toronto” campaign by the Toronto Police Service in school zones beginning on March 19 to support the City of Toronto's Vision Zero initiative with a focus on traffic enforcement and driver education on speed, distracted driving and aggressive driving; a one-year pilot project by Toronto to provide  in-road traffic calming signs   --  placed in the middle of the roadway to remind motorists that they are in a school zone and to slow down -- in 12 school zones across the city; acceleration of the School Safety Zone program for  80 schools in 2018.

Transportation Services staff would reportedly conduct comprehensive reviews across the city for additional safety improvements in a larger footprint around the school to improve the safety routes of children  when walking to school. 

Various safety measures by Toronto City in front of schools would be implemented including:  new school zone safety signs with flashing beacons; school zone pavement stencils; "watch your speed" driver feedback signs; zebra markings at school crosswalks; examination of placing a school crossing guard at major crossings, and traffic calming measures beyond the frontage of schools. 

"The safety of all road users remains my top priority. We are committed to reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on our roads and will be aggressively implementing a number of measures to make Toronto's roads safer," Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley West), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee was reported to state.

Several other initiatives reportedly planned for 2018, include: implementation of an automated speed enforcement pilot; painted curb extensions to reduce crossing distances; introduction of a mobile "watch your speed" program; more safety zones to be installed for the safety of senior safety as well as on pedestrian corridors, and more audits to to be conducted for safety of cyclists and more. 


(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

#JohnTory, #Federalgovernment, #provincialgovernment, #Toronto, #Ontario, #Canada, #AmarjeetSohi, #ReliefLine, #SmartTrack, #ScarboroughSubwayExtension, #waterfronttransit,  #EglintonEastLRT
, 
 
Toronto, Mar 14 (Canadian-Media)|: Toronto Mayor John Tory issued today the following statement on today's transit infrastructure funding announcement by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario 

John Tory/Facebook page

"Today is good news for transit in Toronto and for all of our residents.
 
The federal and provincial government are pledging almost $9 billion for our priority transit projects. This funding is only possible due to the cooperation and mutual respect between the City, the province and the federal government.
 
Earlier today, I spoke with Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi to thank him and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for coming forward with this major investment in the future of the City of Toronto and the Toronto Region. During the call, the Minister made it clear that their intention is to continue to fund any projects that stretch beyond the timeframe of this 10-year program in the next phase of infrastructure funding. 
















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Justin Trudeau/Facebook


I want to thank the Toronto MPs who stood up for Toronto and joined the push by the Big City Mayors for a per rider funding formula that recognizes the important role that the TTC plays in transit for our province.
 
I have also been in touch with Premier Kathleen Wynne to thank her for coming to the table to make these needed investments in Toronto transit. 

Kathleen Wynne: Facebook

​Back in 2015, we started a journey to secure funding for future transit projects.
 
For the first time, we now have all three governments dedicated to building the Relief Line, SmartTrack, the Scarborough Subway Extension, waterfront transit, and the Eglinton East LRT.
 
After years of delays and divisive debates, we are finally getting on with expanding our transit system, we are getting on with working together to build up our cities.
 
I look forward to discussing details of today's announcement with City staff. I am more determined than ever to get this transit built so people can get around and to make traffic better."

#JohnTory, #JoshColle, #GaryCrawford, #TransitNetworkPlan, #ReliefLine, #Metrolinx

Toronto, Feb 12 (Canadian-Media): Toronto Mayor John Tory, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Chair Josh Colle and Budget Chief Gary Crawford announced today, ahead of City Council finalizing the 2018 budget,  that they will invest more than $3 million in the  reduce crowding in TTC, media reports said.

Toronto City Council is reported to present today with a motion in a meeting asking for  grant approval of this investment to fight overcrowding.

Tory reportedly also asked the City Manager and the CEO of the TTC to have staff explore all possible means to accelerate the Transit Network Plan -- Prepared for Metrolinx by IBI Group 2017,  including the Relief Line -- a future rapid transit line that would connect downtown Toronto to the Bloor-Danforth Subway east of the Don River.
 
“I know delays and crowding can be frustrating. I know people want an expanded transit system as soon as possible. I know how maddening it can be when transit and traffic don’t move in this city,” Tory was reported to state. “I want Toronto residents to know that I am dedicated to getting transit and traffic moving. I’m dedicated to building our entire transit network plan. I’m dedicated to making sure the TTC is doing everything possible to minimize delays and ease crowding.” 

John Tory: Facebook page

​This morning, the Mayor and TTC Chair outlined a 10-point plan to help relieve crowding on the TTC which are effective immediately. These are: addition of two subway trains to Line 1 service during the morning peak period which is in addition to the 61 trains that currently operate during the morning rush  to move approximately 2,400 more people. Other features are:  adjustments of overnight maintenance schedules to ensure better system reliability, more proactive checks by TTC on operating equipment, especially during periods of extreme cold or inclement weather, deployment of more platform staff at Yonge/Bloor and St. George stations to manage crowding, and improved monitoring with additional personnel at the Transit Operations Centre

The features which would be effective in the coming weeks and beyond include: enhancement of TTC's communications with riders and announcements across the system, exploration of possible options by TTC  for lower fares during off-peak hours and a plan to use enhanced express bus service to help ease overcrowding on the Yonge Line during peak periods; Tory to discuss with Minister of Transportation and the Premier to ease overcrowding city and region-wide; a plan to chair a regular monthly meeting with senior city, TTC and Metrolinx -- Government of Ontario's agency created to improve the coordination and integration of all modes of transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area -- transit officials to track the progress of our transit expansion projects, including Relief Line

“Over the last four years, we have invested millions of dollars in the TTC. I have championed funding the state of good repair backlog at the TTC, something ignored for too long by past administrations,” Colle was reported to state. “We’re finally doing the hard work of upgrading the aging signal system on Line 1 which will help the system run more reliably and increase capacity for riders.”
 
"The proposed investments in fighting crowding on the TTC will ensure we are giving relief where possible, as soon as possible. The 2018 budget is once again good news for everyone who uses the TTC – we have made the bold decision to invest in the Hop on-Hop off transfer fare and to begin to phase in the Fair Fare pass for low income riders," Crawford was reported to state.
 
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

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Traffic lights: Wikipedia

#JohnTory, #Toronto, #smarttrafficsignaltechnology, #real-timetrafficconditions, #video-analysiscameradetection, #InSync, #SCATS, #HERE, #trafficdatasharingcompany

Toronto, Nov 24 (Canadian-Media):An announcement was made today by Toronto Mayor John Tory had announced today to launch two smart traffic signal pilot projects in the City of Toronto (including Toronto and its neighbouring cities) to test the latest technology in smart traffic systems and also installed the first smart traffic signal at the intersection of Yonge Street and Yonge Boulevard, media reports said.

"The City is finally moving into the 21st century and embracing technology that can improve traffic. Over the last three years, we have finally focused on fighting traffic in Toronto and improving commute times. I am determined to build on the progress we’ve made and continue the fight each and every day,” Tory was reported by media to say.

Contrary to the standard traffic signals that are fixed to a set timing cycle for morning and afternoon rush hours and off-peak times, these new signals are capable of adjusting to real-time traffic conditions at any time of the day as well as communicate and synchronize with other smart signals in the neighbourhood to ease congestion.

City of Toronto had been a leader in North America in the 1960s  and had deployed a computerized traffic signal control system and has now decided to modernize and expand the City's traffic signal network and replace the old communications infrastructure with new technologies. 

The City, over the next year. plans to test two technologies at 10 locations on Yonge Street between Yonge Boulevard and Castlefield Avenue to determine which of these two works best for Toronto and would pilot a technology called InSync, which is used in the United States. 

Based on video-analysis camera detection, this technology makes decisions to measure queue lengths on the approach to the intersection and relays that data to the signal.

The City will pilot a technology called SCATS which is used in Australia, Asia and the United States at 12 locations on Sheppard Avenue East between Neilson Road and Meadowvale Road, This technology makes decisions using radar detection to measure traffic flow up and downstream of the intersection.


Bluetooth detectors and new count stations would reportedly be used to measure the performance and effectiveness of both the technologies by testing and comparing before-and-after traffic volumes and travel times.

a traffic data sharing company, HERE would provide commercial GPS data that provides traffic flow and travel time information and will reportedly transportation staff as well.

The identification and selection of the the most effective technology would be based  on best output of cost-effective technological solution of the study.
 
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

Airbus: Facebook

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​#Sunwing, #AirTransat, #TorontoInternationalAirport, #Teamsters Canada Local Union 419, #Swissport , #possible strike, #ChristopherMonette, #HarjinderBadial, #PierrePayette, #GreaterTorontoAirportsAuthority, #GTAA

Toronto, July 26 (Canadian-Media): A possible strike or labour disruption by a large number of Swissport baggage handling staff -- who service 30 of the 74 airlines including Sunwing and Air Transat -- at Toronto's International Airport Thursday could mean delays starting Thursday, media reports said.

Local spokesperson Christopher Monette -- unhappy with Swissport's recent move to employ temporary workers -- said the union will urge its 700 members to vote against Swissport's final offer, CBCNews reports said.

Airlines that were reported to be affected included Air Transat, Air France, British Airways and KLM Royal Dutch but the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) said Tuesday that it had a contingency plan in place in the event of a strike or labour disruption by the Swissport workers.

A statement issued by the Teamsters Canada Local Union 419 -- which represents regular baggage and cargo handlers, cabin cleaners, and other ground operational roles -- last week claimed the temporary workers were inexperienced and received poor training.

Monette thought this move by Swissport was a method to replace the normal regular workers and added that they were being forced into this strike.

Harjinder Badial, vice-president of Teamsters Local 419, said he was concerned Swissport was trying  to sacrifice airport safety.

Pierre Payette, vice president of operations Swissport Canada responded that it had hired the temporary workers to help handle the summer travel rush.

The union, however, said a strike notice to had been issued its members and added that they will be in a legal strike position Thursday at 9:30pm.

​Meanwhile, the GTAA said it was prepared for the possible strike and disruptions and added that passengers should consult with their airlines for the up-to-date information on their flights. 
 
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)