The city has filled more than 85,000 potholes this year -- despite COVID-19. Here’s the reason why

Thestar.com
May 4, 2020

The water is running, the garbage gets picked up, the toilets flush and lovebirds can still get a marriage licence.

All because city employees continue to staff offices and carry out front-line work, despite fears that the virus could infect them while on the job, which is enough to keep most of us at home.

While much of the city has ground to a halt, Toronto continues to provide almost every service it always has. And a big part of the reason why is the courage and dedication of its employees.

Administrative workers are volunteering to fill critical staff shortages in Toronto’s shelter system – dangerous places, in terms of potential exposure to COVID-19 – not because they want to, but because they feel a sense of responsibility to their employer, the taxpayer.

I know this partly because my wife is a 30-year employee in social services. I’ve watched her bring the stress of her job home with her for many years and know how hard she works for her clients. And she is far from alone.

Instead of staying home and claiming the federal emergency benefit, which city employees are entitled to do, almost all of them are still on the job, said Tracey Cook, deputy city manager for infrastructure and development.

Cook is in charge of divisions including transportation services, Toronto Water, solid waste management, engineering and construction services and municipal licensing and standards, which involves nearly 9,500 employees, almost all of whom are still working, she said.

She agreed with my observation that from a service standpoint, the city is functioning about the same as it was before the health crisis, right down to litter pickers who keep the streets clean.

“I think that’s why the city does look as good as it does, because our folks are still coming in and maintaining it,” she said in an interview.

As an example, Cook noted that transportation services is on pace to fill nearly the same number of potholes this spring as in 2019. As of April 28, city workers had patched 85,506 potholes. For the same period last year, the number was 86,346.

Physical distancing presents a challenge, particularly in situations where workers provide front-line services, but they are using personal protective equipment and following safety protocols, said Cook.

I don’t mind telling you that if I was pressed into service at a shelter, I’d be sweating bullets. From what I’ve heard, lots of them are. But I also think it’s not just the pay cheque that keeps them coming to work.

For many who work for the government, there’s a sense of obligation to the job that’s as motivating as fear. We should be thankful.

It has suddenly occurred to the world that people who do jobs we take for granted – grocery store staff, truck and delivery drivers, takeout restaurant workers – are much more valuable than it seemed a couple months ago.

The same can be said for municipal employees who continue to keep the city ticking. So let’s give them a shout-out.

If you know of a civic worker who has gone above and beyond during the virus crisis, tell me about it, so I can tell the rest of the city.