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:
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