April 23, 2020 – Evening Update: COVID-19 Key Information & Resources

April 23, 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:

One month since State of Emergency declaration

Today marks one month since Mayor John Tory declared a State of Emergency in the City of Toronto following advice from Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health and the Office of Emergency Management. Over the past month, the City has acted and responded quickly to the pandemic, working together with other levels of government, agencies, corporations, businesses, and community organizations to ensure that the City is best positioned to stop the spread of COVID-19, while providing support to those who need it most. The Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health and the City have taken a number of critical actions during this time. For more information, please read the news release.

Today is the start of Ramadan

As we begin the month of Ramadan, we would like to wish all who observe a healthy and blessed Ramadan. Please find creative ways to stay connected with family, friends and faith-based communities without visiting in person. Learn more on the City’s website.

Toronto Public Library has launching “38 Ways to Use the Library from Home”

https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/digital-services/2020/03/38-ways-to-use-the-library-from-home.html.

Bookmark www.tpl.ca and check in often.

Starting in May TPL will also begin to update their homepage www.tpl.ca with highlights of new and interesting things to read, watch, listen to, learn and do!

Tonight: Virtual Commemoration of the Yonge Street Tragedy

Tonight, community groups We Love Willowdale and the Willowdale Interfaith Coalition, will lead a virtual vigil to bring together the community, provide support for those impacted and offer a space for people to interact and leave messages. More information is on the City’s website. Earlier today, the City live streamed a statement by Mayor John Tory, in remembrance of the people who lost their lives, survivors and all those impacted by the tragedy.

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 459 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. Bylaw and police officers issued five tickets – bringing the total number of tickets issued since April 3 to 477. Bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 10,650 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures. The City also received 44 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 64 tickets and 133 notices to non-essential businesses. As the weather warms, we’re urging residents to remain at home, leaving only for essential reasons. To continue stopping the community spread of this deadly virus, we must reduce all contact with others as much as possible.

City of Toronto media briefings

The City’s media briefings are available on theCity’s YouTube channel

Opportunity for High School Students via East Metro Youth Services 

East Metro Youth Services are calling on High School students interested in working on projects addressing community violence. This project will be hosted online on Thursdays at 2pm. For further information please contact Oleg at ovalin@stridestoronto.ca and visit www.emys.on.ca 

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

Mid-Day COVID – 19 Update For April 23, 2020

April 23, 2020 

Dear Neighbours, 

Ramadan Mubarak starts tonight after sunset, Ramadan marks a sacred time of the year for the Muslim community. Wishing the Muslim community a Happy Ramadan, may this Ramadan bring joy, happiness and wealth to you and your families. 

Normally an opportunity to spend time with family and faith-based communities, the City urges everyone to continue to follow provincial orders closing places of worship and limiting gatherings as well as the public health recommendations to remain at home, leaving only for essential reasons. The holidays are important spiritually and emotionally for many and to support this people are encouraged to connect with loved ones, friends, and vulnerable members of the community online or by phone. Residents should also check with their place of worship for information on online services and other innovative ways to connect while staying physically apart.

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: 

Prime Minister announces new support for COVID-19 medical research and vaccine development 

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced more than $1-billion in support of a national medical research strategy to fight COVID-19 that includes vaccine development, the production of treatments, and tracking of the virus. This new funding builds on the $275-million investment for coronavirus research and medical countermeasures announced in March. 

Separately, the Government of Canada is providing over $675,000 through the Stem Cell Network to support two new research projects that will generate critical information about cells in the airway and brain are affected by the virus and a clinical trial which will evaluate the safety of a potential cell therapy to reduce the impacts associated with COVID-19. Full news release can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/2S3uzqi 

TTC reducing costs while maintaining service in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic 

The TTC today announced a number of cost-saving measures aimed at maintaining critically important transit service in the city. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an 85 % drop in monthly revenue — money that is essential to sustain operations. Included in the savings is a temporary staff reduction of approximately 1,200 employees over the coming months

Given these financial challenges, the following cost-saving measure are being implemented: 

  • Significant reductions in expenditures including pausing all salary increases for non-unionized employees, reducing overtime across the organization, reviewing current vacancies and forgoing hiring all seasonal hires.
  • Matching service capacity to system demand by temporarily laying off up to 1,000 transit operators, subject to negotiations with ATU Local 113, and 200 non-union staff positions will also be impacted.
  • Delaying all non-essential capital projects in accordance with provincial guidelines.

Service will be maintained at roughly 70-80% of regular levels which is in line with current demand 

The TTC continues to work with the City of Toronto and transit agencies across Canada to ensure public transit is given proper consideration in any provincial and federal assistance program. Full news release can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/2yFKuEl 

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