The city of Toronto is now officially canceling all outstanding fines in public libraries in an attempt to "remove a significant barrier" for those who wish to access the library system.

Speaking at a press conference at the municipal public library on Thursday morning, Mayor John Tory said that all outstanding fines for all library users will now be canceled.

This policy follows one of the policies implemented last year which canceled overdue fees for children.

"Outstanding fines can be an additional and significant expense for those from low-income areas. When customers have fines, they have been shown to be less likely to use the library system and benefit from all forms of support, services, and materials."

"We know that outstanding fines disproportionately affect racial and low-income communities in Toronto who have been barred from using libraries at a higher rate than others due to financial difficulties and the barrier imposed by the existence of overdue fines."

This step was previously approved by the City Council and $500,000 was allocated in the 2022 operating budget to cancel outstanding fines for teenagers and adults in addition to children.