March 26, 2020
Dear Ward 24 Neighbours,
I’m writing today to give you a further update on the City’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
City staff in the Emergency Operations Centre and all essential and critical services are working around-the-clock to respond to this crisis to keep us safe.
These are unprecedented times and I am continuing to receive multiple updates each day on the City’s response and I am committed to sharing this information with you through my social media channels and in email updates like this. I have included the latest important information from the City below.
Right now, I can’t express enough how important it is to stay home, practise physical distancing, work from home where possible and only go out for essentials. These actions, which many of you are already doing, will help to protect you but also your family, friends and all those who work in essential services.
Thank you for everything that you’re doing to help stop the spread and please continue to urge others to do the same.
Please see the following Key Messages for the day on COVID-19 updates from the City of Toronto:
Mayor John Tory announced today that business owners are invited to complete this City survey to share how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting their business, and what information or supports they and their employees need. The survey will also be sent to more than 20,000 businesses as well as Business Improvement Associations.
If you have a complaint about a business still operating, whether is it a non-essential business still running, or an essential business running without taking proper steps to protect its workers, please call (not email) 311. Please be patient and expect high call volumes. Complaints are logged and sent to a compliance team which will assign an officer to review and investigate.
The deadline to cancel the TTC’s 12 Month Pass plan and Autorenew for the TTC Monthly Pass have been extended until 11:59 p.m. on March 27, 2020. TTC will waive all cancellation fees, including any previous discounts received for the TTC Monthly Pass. Residents may still see a notification regarding cancellation fees on the PRESTO app or website, however, we ask that they please disregard this message. More information can be found here:
Please see today’s update by the KGO for information regarding resources and supports available in the community including information on:
· New Financial Supports: What you need to know
· Worker’s Rights During COVID-19: Free webinar TODAY
· Financial Resources for Business Owners
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services and social supports. Checktoronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul