Day: April 21, 2020

 

Dear Neighbours, 

I want to thank everyone for your efforts during this very difficult time. It is very important for all of us, to the best of our ability to follow the mandatory social distancing bylaw!

Please see the following update regarding COVID-19 key information and resources in the City of Toronto: 

Tax Deferrals and Automatic Withdrawals

I have received inquiries on whether you must defer paying your tax or if you can pay immediately. The City has suspended all pending automated withdrawals. If you have a direct arrangement with the City, it will be deferred automatically. If you have an arrangement with the bank, you will need to follow up directly with your bank, where you can opt to pay your property tax and utility payments on your regular installment date.

For more information please visit the City website on Bills & Tax Relief.

Summary of COVID-19 Cases in Toronto

Dr. de Villa shared insights into Toronto’s outbreak during today’s media briefing and compared the situation in the city to other jurisdictions, including the provincial and national outbreak curves. The presentation looks at number of cases, hospitalizations, and demographics. The full presentation is available on the City’s website. 

The TTC and Toronto Paramedics are partnering to repurpose decommissioned buses for emergency transport

To support the evolving medical needs of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the TTC and Paramedic Services have repurposed five decommissioned TTC buses to safely transport both ambulatory and stretcher-bound patients, including those on ventilators. The converted buses represent a key component of the City’s contingency planning to support seamless, efficient, and timely patient care, while also providing important surge capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vehicles will be driven by TTC drivers with paramedics seeing to the medical needs of patients.

The City of Toronto received shipment of three million surgical masks primarily for long-term care homes and shelters

The City of Toronto has received its order of three million ATSM Level 2 surgical masks, purchased from Canadian distributor AMG Medical Inc. The new masks have passed inspection by City staff and are confirmed to be as ordered. Surgical masks are used extensively by staff in the City’s emergency shelters and long-term care facilities.

City of Toronto will virtually commemorate the second anniversary of the Yonge Street Tragedy

This year’s commemoration will take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consideration for public health and safety. In remembrance of the people who lost their lives, survivors and all those impacted by the tragedy, the City will live stream a statement by Mayor John Tory at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 23. Later in the evening, there will be a virtual vigil led by community groups, We Love Willowdale and Willowdale Interfaith Coalition. More information is on the City’s website. 

Update on enforcement activity

Enforcement of the City’s physical distancing bylaw and the Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act orders is ongoing. Yesterday, the City received 345 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. Bylaw and police officers issued 32 tickets – bringing the total number of tickets issued since April 3 to 468. Bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 10,000 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.  The City also received 57 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open in contravention of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Since March 24, Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health have issued 48 tickets and 126 notices to non-essential businesses.

What can you do in a park?

At this time, the park is not meant to be a destination like it used to be. People can walk and run there, get some exercise and but then keep moving. While the City will no longer be issuing tickets to people using park benches, these benches are not destinations to congregate. Benches are not sanitized. People may unknowingly spread the virus by sneezing or touching the bench. For more information visit the City’s website.

Please click here for a list of food banks and soup kitchens in the Ward 24

Please remember to call ahead to book to ensure they are properly stocked. For those interested in volunteering, food banks are always looking for volunteers, so please feel free to save and share this information.

Please click here for a list of food banks in Scarborough

Essential Government Information for COVID -19

Public Health’s information line & 311 are experiencing high call volumes. Residents can get the information they need online at www.toronto.ca

The City’s website has a tool that can translate pages into 51 different languages.

If you need info on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

Official Global Travel Advisory

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

I am continuously updating my social media platforms and my website with up to date information:

Website: www.paulainslie.com

You can also reach me by: telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca

All my Best, 

Paul

Dear Neighbours,   Please see the following update regarding COVID-19 key information and resources in the City of Toronto:    City of Toronto to virtually commemorate second anniversary of the Yonge Street Tragedy   The City of Toronto will virtually commemorate the second anniversary of the Yonge Street Tragedy that happened on April 23, 2018. This year’s commemoration will take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consideration for public health and safety. The City of Toronto will live stream Mayor John Tory’s commemorative statement on the City of Toronto YouTube channel.   In remembrance of the people who lost their lives, survivors and all those impacted by the tragedy, the City will live stream a statement by Mayor John Tory at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 23. Later in the evening, there will be a virtual vigil led by community groups, We Love Willowdale and Willowdale Interfaith Coalition.   To mark the time of the incident, flags on Nathan Phillips Square and Mel Lastman Square at North York Civic Centre will be lowered to half-mast at 1:30 p.m. for the remainder of the day. The Toronto Sign will also be dimmed just before sunset.   We Love Willowdale and Willowdale Interfaith Coalition, two community groups in North York, will lead a virtual vigil at 6 p.m. on the We Love Willowdale Facebook page. This vigil will bring together the community, provide support for those impacted and offer a space for people to interact and leave messages.   As this commemoration may bring back painful and traumatic memories, those who require support or counselling are advised to call 211 to access support from the Ontario Psychological Association who is offering free mental health services.   To help keep our community safe during the COVID-19 crisis, residents are respectfully requested to adhere to public health orders and refrain from gathering to lay flowers or other memorabilia at the incident sites.   The City recognizes the challenges the current pandemic and physical distancing measures poses to individuals experiencing trauma as a result of this tragedy. People are encouraged to continue to take care of one another and connect with loved ones, friends, and vulnerable members of the community online or by phone who may be impacted.   City of Toronto receives shipment of three million surgical masks primarily for long-term care homes and shelters   The City of Toronto is committed to ensuring our frontline staff, including emergency responders, those working with individuals experiencing homelessness, and staff in long-term care homes, have the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to stay safe and protect their health and the health of the community.   Today, Mayor John Tory announced that the City of Toronto has received three million ATSM Level 2 surgical masks. The masks, ordered from Canadian distributor AMG Medical Inc. in late March, arrived in two shipments with the final shipment of two million masks delivered to the City earlier today. The new masks have been inspected and staff have confirmed masks are as ordered and have passed inspection.   Surgical masks are used extensively by staff in the City’s emergency shelters and long-term care facilities. Prior to receiving the shipments, as of April 14, the City of Toronto had enough surgical masks for 52 days at current consumption and 25 days in the worst-case scenario. This new inventory adds approximately 127 days of stock at current consumption and would provide 60 additional days of protection in the worst-case scenario.   Yesterday, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa explained that while Toronto is currently in the peak period for reported COVID-19 cases, the situation in congregate facilities is very different with higher-rates of COVID-19 infection expected to continue. This new influx of PPE will ensure staff can continue to help the most vulnerable Torontonians in our shelters and long-term care facilities.   The City is continuing to source PPE to support frontline workers responding to COVID-19. The Emergency Operations Centre includes a PPE Task Force responsible for monitoring and allocating the City’s PPE, projecting PPE needs, implementing PPE conservation strategies, and investigating alternative PPE options and procurement strategies.
I want to thank everyone for your efforts during this very difficult time. It is very important for all of us, to the best of our ability to follow the mandatory social distancing bylaw!
Managing Stress and Psychological Wellbeing is as Important as Managing your Physical Health   Where to find Mental Health help:  City of Toronto Mental Health 211 Tips on managing your stress and well-being World Health Organization The Psychological Foundation of Canada – Stress Strategies Canadian Mental Health Association
Please click here for a list of food banks and soup kitchens in the Ward 24 Please remember to call ahead to book to ensure they are properly stocked. For those interested in volunteering, food banks are always looking for volunteers, so please feel free to save and share this information.   Please click here for a list of food banks in Scarborough
Essential Government Information for COVID -19 Public Health’s information line & 311 are experiencing high call volumes. Residents can get the information they need online at www.toronto.ca The City’s website has a tool that can translate pages into 51 different languages.    If you need info on COVID-19, please visit the following websites: City of Toronto Province of Ontario Government of Canada World Health Organization Official Global Travel Advisory I am continuously updating my social media platforms and my website with up to date information:    Website: www.paulainslie.com You can also reach me by: telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
How to contact me: Toronto City Hall 100 Queen Street West Suite C52 Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2 Tel: 416-392-4008   Scarborough Civic Centre 150 Borough Drive Scarborough, Ontario M1P 4N7 Tel: 416-396-7222 Fax: 416-392-4006   The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check www.toronto.ca/COVID19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline 416-338-7600 or 311 Call Telehealth Ontario if you develop symptoms. Telephone: 1-866-797-0000   All my Best, Paul