Updated: Thu Jul. 23 2009 7:37:46 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

People who signed up for more than 4,400 cancelled city of Toronto programs will be getting refunds, probably by the end of the month.

The refunds apply to those who signed up for the programs that were to take place between June 22 and July 17, the city said Thursday in a news release.

If people don't receive a refund by month's end, they are being told to call the city at 416-338-0338.

An estimated 45,000 people had signed up, mostly children.

"The City is pleased that we are able to start processing these refunds for those who missed out on attending scheduled day camps, swimming and leadership programs because of the CUPE strike," city manager Joe Pennachetti said Thursday in a news release.

"We understand that having to cancel city-run day camps and other programs has been a significant inconvenience for families."

The strike, now in its 32nd day, began on June 22. This has caused an array of city services and programs to be cancelled, most notably garbage collection.

However, the city isn't offering any hope of further fee rebates and refunds.

"At present these will be the only refunds that the City will be issuing. All other refunds will be reviewed once the labour disruption ends. The City's current efforts are concentrated on maintaining as many City services as possible," the release said.

Mayor David Miller said there will be no property tax refund, calling it "impossible."

Meanwhile, the city and CUPE Local 79, the inside workers' union, are facing a legal action.

Two mothers have filed a court challenge, to be heard on July 31, that the loss of summer programs has caused "irreparable harm" to children and youth.

The action will focus on the constitutionality of Ontario's Labour Relations Act for ignoring the interests of children who are affected by the strike, lawyer Jeffery Wilson said.

"The mothers are not taking a position one way or the other about the strike or about the parties. They're just saying when you go about having a strike, or when you go about creating legislation that allows for a strike, hey, everybody out there, you've got to also include, at the table, the interests of children and youth," he said.

Windsor reaction

After 100 days, the striking city workers in Windsor have a tentative deal with city hall there.

No details were released, but the one of the key issues was reported to be post-retirement benefits.

CUPE said no details will be released until after a ratification vote scheduled for Friday. In the meantime,

In Toronto, Miller said he'd like to see the details.

However, "obviously if the parties can reach an agreement in Windsor, it should be possible to reach one in Toronto,' he said. "I've been saying for weeks there needs to be a sense of urgency at the table to say 'yes.'"

The Windsor strike dragged on without provincial intervention. Premier Dalton McGuinty has shown a reluctance to intervene.

"The premier of Ontario speaks for the government on that point, and that he's spoken well," Energy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman told reporters. "He thinks it's very, very important that the parties that are responsible find a conclusion to it and he has confidence in their ability to do so."

Miller has said he doesn't want a legislated end to the strike, as he fears an arbitrator could order a settlement the city couldn't afford.

Workers on the picket line at the Commissioner Street transfer station expressed hope that a deal could be close for them.

There was late word that Local 79 had made a new offer to the city.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Reshmi Nair