Yalla Magazine - On July 31, 2020, the Ministry of Natural Resources announced that hunting season for double-crested cormorants could take place in Ontario starting September 15. Cormorant hunting, like all hunting, is not permitted in Toronto under City of Toronto bylaws.


The bylaws prohibiting the discharge of firearms in the City of Toronto are listed in Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 463, Firearms. This includes using a firearm while in a boat for the purposes of hunting. Possession or use of a weapon in a park or on a beach is also prohibited under Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks. The City’s boundaries extend into Lake Ontario to the United States border and east and west to the borders of neighbouring municipalities.


Most of Toronto’s breeding cormorants began their southern migration in late August, however cormorants from other Ontario breeding colonies are migrating through the city and some individual birds will remain through the late fall. City staff have been working closely with Ministry staff and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with bylaws.


City and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority staff have installed signage around the cormorant breeding colonies at Tommy Thompson Park to remind the public that hunting is not permitted.  Bylaw Enforcement Officers will be monitoring areas where cormorants are known to nest. Toronto Police Marine Unit will also be monitoring this area in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources to ensure public safety.


Anyone found to be contravening the bylaw could be charged, which could result in a fine of up to a maximum of $5,000. 


Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit http://www.toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.

The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. As the virus continues to circulate in the community, residents are reminded to adhere to Toronto Public Health’s advice to wash hands often, stay within their social bubble of no more than 10 people, practise physical distancing with those outside of your social bubble, and wear a mask or face covering where mandatory or when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Wearing a mask or face covering is required in all indoor public spaces in Toronto.


There are 16,477 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 58 today. There are 26 people hospitalized. In total, 14,794 people have recovered from COVID-19. To date, there have been 1,176 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform: http://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto/.


Provincial orders under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act and the City bylaw on physical distancing remain in effect. Yesterday, the City received 21 complaints related to parks use and physical distancing. Officers have cautioned more than 800 people this month about physical distancing, alcohol, bonfires and littering bylaws.

As more of the city’s businesses continue to reopen, residents can learn about what to expect and what is required as Toronto moves into the new normal and they begin to visit more establishments and take part in more activities at https://www.toronto.ca/ReopenTO.


The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check http://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.


Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit http://www.toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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