This resource guide is a compilation of various resources related to housing, commuter life and safety in hopes to improve the accessibility of these resources for commuter students.
Updates to this resource guide are still in progress; however, the resources mentioned in this resource guide are still usable.
If you have any questions, concerns, or other resources you think will be useful, please email commuter@vusac.ca.
DISCLAIMER:
VOCA does not specifically endorse any of the resources listed below, and merely presents them as options for students to consult at their own risk and comfort level in the event that they need support.
About: These resources are intended to help students become familiar with the public transport system of Toronto. These resources will help students understand how to get around campus and Toronto while also being aware of the various benefits available to students who have a Presto Card.
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
Phone: 416-393-4636 (INFO)
Website: https://www.ttc.ca/
Hours: 6AM - 2AM on Monday to Saturday and from 8AM - 2AM on Sunday and holidays. Automated information available through phone line 24 hours daily.
Subway and Streetcar Map (PDF): Click Here
<Keyword(s)> Downtown Toronto / UofT campus
Presto Card
Website: https://www.prestocard.ca/en/
App: https://www.prestocard.ca/en/about/presto-app
Complimentary Presto Cards: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/services/presto.jsp
Presto Card Benefits: https://www.prestocard.ca/en/about/presto-perks
GO Transit
Phone: 416-869-3200
Website: https://www.gotransit.com/en/about-go/what-is-go
Customer Service Centre: 35 York Street, Toronto ON, M5J 0C7 (Weekdays: 5:45AM - 12:45AM / Weekends & Holidays: 6AM - 12:45AM)
<Keyword(s)> Greater Toronto Area (GTA) & Hamilton
UP Express
Phone: 416-874-5900 (Monday to Friday: 8AM - 8PM / Weekends & Holidays: 9AM - 5PM)
Website: https://www.upexpress.com/en
Hours: 4:55AM - 11PM on Weekdays and 6AM - 11PM on weekends and holidays. Automated information available through phone line 24 hours daily.
<Keyword(s)> Toronto Pearson International Airport / Union Station / Bloor Station / Weston Station
Citymapper
Website: https://citymapper.com/?lang=en
App Store (IOS): https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/citymapper/id469463298
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citymapper.app.release&hl=en_CA&gl=US
<Keyword(s)> map & navigation / offline maps mode / transit schedule / transit issue notifications / bike share
Google Maps
Website: https://www.google.com/maps
App Store (IOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-maps/id585027354
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.maps&hl=en_CA&gl=US
<Keyword(s)> map & navigation / transit schedule
About: These commuter resources are those provided by Victoria College specifically for Victoria College students.
Office of the Dean of Students
Phone: 416-585-4494
Email: vic.dean@utoronto.ca
Website: https://www.vic.utoronto.ca/current-students/office-of-the-dean-of-students/
Office: 150 Charles St. W. M5S 1K9 (Goldring Student Centre)
Hours: 9AM - 4:30PM on the weekdays
Purpose: In charge of all non-academic student affairs at Victoria College with staff available on-call. Available to equip students with commuter and housing resources as well.
Margaret Addison Front Desk
Phone: 416-585-4524
Location: 140 Charles St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1K9 (First Floor of Margaret Addison Hall)
Hours: 24 hours all days of the week
Purpose: 24/7 support for Victoria College students for any of their needs.
Commuter Dons
Email: vic.commuter.don@utoronto.ca
Website: https://www.vic.utoronto.ca/current-students/campus-life/commuter-life/
Instagram: @viccollegelife
Office: Goldring Student Centre Rm155 - 150 Charles St. W. M5S 1K9
Purpose: Upper-year students providing weekly commuter-friendly programming, resources, and peer support for Victoria College students.
Victoria Off-Campus Association (VOCA)
Email: commuter@vusac.ca / commutercochair@vusac.ca
Website: https://www.vusac.ca/commuter
Instagram: @viccommuter
Purpose: As one of the VUSAC commissions specifically dedicated to advocating for commuter students, VOCA hosts weekly free pancakes, safety alarm giveaways, self-defense workshops, commuter locker rental services, and various exciting events!
About: These resources aim to help students find places to stay on or near the University of Toronto Campus, whether that be libraries, cafés, restaurants or other spaces nearby.
St. George Campus Online Synchronous Space Finder (APP)
Website: https://lsm.utoronto.ca/syncstudy.html
Purpose: Assists students finding places to attend their online synchronous classes at UTSG.
University of Toronto Map
Website: https://map.utoronto.ca/?id=1809#!ct/45469?sbc/
Purpose: Helps students navigate all three campuses of U of T and find classrooms.
Utogether
Website: https://www.utoronto.ca/utogether/places-and-spaces
Purpose: Displays places to eat, study, and gather on the U of T campus.
Food Services U of T
Website: https://foodservices.utoronto.ca/where-to-eat/
Purpose: Displays various dining locations on campus, including those that accept TBucks and dining dollars.
UofTMSA Community Resources
Website: http://www.uoftmsa.com/community-resources.html
Purpose: Provided by the Muslim Students' Association at U of T, this website informs students of prayer spaces on campus, halal food near U of T, housing resources, and various support resources.
Libraries at UofT
Website: https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/visit
Purpose: List of all the libraries at U of T.
Goldring Student Centre (GSC)
Phone:
Email: vic.dean@utoronto.ca
Address: 150 Charles St. W. M5S 1K9
Hours: 8AM-11PM on the weekdays and ( ) on the weekends.
Key Places in the GSC: Commuter Lounge / Ned’s Café / Cat’s Eye / VUSAC Office
E.J. Pratt Library
Website & Hours: https://library.vicu.utoronto.ca/
Address: 71 Queen’s Park Cres E, Toronto, ON M5S 1K7
Emmanuel College Library
Website & Hours: https://library.vicu.utoronto.ca/emmanuel/
Address: 75 Queen’s Park Cres E, Toronto, ON M5S 1K7
Caffiends
Email: caffiends@gmail.com
Website: http://www.caffiendsvic.com/#/
Instagram: @caffiendsvic
Address: Old Vic College Rm 111, 91 Charles Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1K5
Hours: 9AM-5PM on the weekdays
Aroma Espresso Bar
Website: https://www.aromacafe.ca/
Address: 1110 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5S 2Y1
Hours: 8AM-8PM on the weekdays and 9AM-8PM on the weekends
7 West Cafe
Website: http://www.7westcafe.com/
Address: 7 Charles St W, Toronto, ON M4Y 1R4
Hours: Open for 24 hours all days of the week
Naan Kabob
Website: https://naankabob.ca/
Address: 691 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2B2
Hours: 11AM-11PM all days of the week
Freshii
Website: https://www.freshii.com/ca/en-ca/home
Address: 1250 Bay St., Toronto, ON, M5R 2A5
Hours: 11AM-9PM on the weekdays and 11AM-8PM on the weekends
Pi Co.
Website: https://www.pi-co.ca/
Address: 180 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1T6
Hours: 9AM-10PM on the weekdays and 9AM-11PM on the weekends
Slab Burger
Website: https://slabburgers.com/
Address: 47 Charles St W B, Toronto, ON M4Y 2R4
Hours: 12PM-9:30PM on the weekdays and 12PM-11PM on the weekends
Robarts Library
Website: https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/library-info/ROBARTS
Address: 130 St George St, Toronto, ON M5S 1A5
Hours: Click Me
UTSU Student Commons
Website: https://www.utsu.ca/student-commons/
Address: 230 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1R2
Hours: 9AM - 5PM on the weekdays
Hart House
Website: https://harthouse.ca/
Address: 7 Hart House Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 3H3
Hours: Click Me
Sidney Smith Commons
Website: https://sidneysmithcommons.artsci.utoronto.ca/
Address: 100 St Geroge St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3
Hours: 10AM-9PM on Mondays to Thursdays and 10AM-5PM on Fridays
Medical Sciences Building
Website: https://map.utoronto.ca/?id=1809#!m/494491?sbc/
Address: 1 King's College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8
Hours: Open for 24 hours all week
About: These resources intend to support students who are trying to find housing outside the University of Toronto campus while also informing students of their legal rights when renting a place in Toronto.
Off Campus Housing Finder
Website: https://offcampushousing.utoronto.ca/
Purpose: Operated by U of T to help students find off-campus housing and roommates, while also providing information and tips related to housing.
UTSU Housing Guide
PDF File: Click Here
Purpose: A compilation of various resources related to housing, such as rental tips, legal information related to subletting, self storage resources, The Residential Tenancies Act (2006), Financial Aid, etc.
URent
Website: https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/program/urent/
Email: housingservices@utoronto.ca
Purpose: Provided by the Housing Services of U of T, aims to equip students with various skills and knowledge needed to have a successful commuter-life. For example, finding safe and affordable housing, resolving conflicts, and learning about the legislations related to housing and renting in Toronto. Some programs provided are: Finding a Place Workshops, Housing Modules, Housing Q&A Drop-Ins, and Tenant Topic Workshops.
Tenant Rights
Website: https://www.torontotenants.org/your_rights
Purpose: Provides Toronto's tenant rights and the Tenant Rights Guide in 23 languages.
Housing Appointments
Website: https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/service/housing-advice-and-support/
Email: housing.services@utoronto.ca
Hours: Check the "Housing Appointments Calendar" on CLNx
Purpose: Virtual appointments provided by UofT to assist students on housing issues.
The Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations' Tenant Hotline
Phone: 416-921-9494
Email: hotline@torontotenants.org
Hours: 8:30AM - 6PM on the Weekdays and 10AM - 5PM on the Weekends
Purpose: Provides free tenant's rights counseling for tenants in Toronto.
Downtown Legal Services
Phone: 416 978-6447
Website: https://downtownlegalservices.ca/our-services/housing-law-division/
Email: law.dls@utoronto.ca
Hours: Will change in September
Purpose: A community legal clinic and clinical education program operated by the Faculty of Law at UofT that provides service to low-income individuals living in Toronto and to levy-paying students at UofT.
About: These resources intend to inform students of how to commute safely around the GTA.
Community Safety Office
Phone: 416-978-1485
Email: community.safety@utoronto.ca
Website: https://www.communitysafety.utoronto.ca/
Purpose: Offers short-term support to members of the U of T community with safety concerns. Provides general safety tips, ways to stay safe as an international student, and self-defense workshops.
Public Transit Safety Tips
Website: https://www.communitysafety.utoronto.ca/safety-tip/public-transit-safety-tips/
Purpose: Provides safety tips when using public transit in Toronto.
Travel Safer UTSG
Phone: 416-978-7233
Website: https://www.campussafety.utoronto.ca/travel-safer
Hours: 24 hours for all days of the week
Purpose: Free service provided by the University of Toronto Campus Safety where a Building Patroller or Special Constable will escort you to and from any location on campus and nearby TTC stations.
Campus Safety
Phone: 416-978-2222 (urgent) / 416-978-2323 (non-urgent)
Instagram: @UofTSafety
Website: https://www.campussafety.utoronto.ca/
Purpose: Formally known as the University of Toronto Campus Police, they are "dedicated to creating a safe, secure and equitable environment for students, staff, faculty and visitors.
DISCLAIMER: VOCA advises that students prioritize other resources on or outside this guide before consulting this option.