Waiving Fees for Outdoor Fitness Permits for Businesses - by Mayor John Tory, seconded by Councillor Michael Thompson

The program was marketed under ParkFitTO program name. Authority was granted to provide permits for Toronto businesses holding outdoor fitness activities until October 3, 2021. Now, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, business are requesting an extension of ParkFitTO later into the fall. The extension will provide these service providers greater flexibility and opportunity to continue operating so long as weather and park conditions remain viable. This Motion is urgent because staff need the authority to continue waiving the fees for these permits past October 3, 2021 when Council's delegated authority expires.

the applicant is a person or group organizing instructor led exercise, yoga or martial arts classes on city owned and/or managed parkland; b. the facility being permitted is an outdoor area in a City park approved by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; c. the fitness classes will take place between June 8, 2021 and December 31, 2021, inclusive, and is permitted under provincial and municipal statutes, by-laws, regulations, orders and guidance on the date it is to be held; and d. the applicant and fitness class participants will comply with: i. all other requirements of Chapter 608, including the physical distancing requirements under section 608-3A(1.1); ii. any conditions of the permit, including standard conditions and any additional conditions which the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation adds to ensure the health and safety of persons participating in the fitness activity and otherwise using the park; and iii. all provincial and municipal statutes, by-laws, regulations, orders and guidance relating to the fitness activities.