April 27, 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:
CurbTO to re-allocate road space to support physical distancing and access essential businessesAlthough pedestrian traffic has dropped across the city as people follow to stay home, there are hot spots on some sidewalks in some areas where it is difficult to physically distance.
CurbTO is a common-sense approach to addressing sidewalk hot spots to help encourage physical distancing in areas where it is challenging to avoid the creation of lineups and to support increased demand for pickup and delivery services near essential businesses. Known sidewalk hotspots have been identified by Toronto Public Health, City of Toronto staff in Transportation Services, and Councillors, and more locations will be identified in a measured way based on evidence so that physical distancing can be achieved.
CurbTO aligns with the current directive from the Medical Officer of Health that the public should continue to stay home as much as possible and only go out for essential needs such as food and medicine. Businesses can apply and learn more about eligibility criteria and program guidelines for CurbTO at toronto.ca/covid19BusinessTO.
Help save lives by staying home- Promising signs public health measures are workingAs Toronto moves into week seven of this pandemic, officials are seeing promising signs that public health measures are working. Dr. de Villa stressed the need to continue to practise social distancing and only leave the house for essential reasons, noting restrictions will be eased sooner if people continue to heed public health advice.
As of this afternoon, there are 4,973 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto. This includes 4,493 confirmed cases and 480 probable cases. There are 308 cases hospitalized, with 104 in intensive care units. We continue to see COVID-19 deaths: to date 297 people in Toronto have died from COVID-19. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform. The advice from Toronto’s public health officials has been clear and consistent: To stop the community spread of this deadly virus, we must reduce all contact with others as much as possible. Stay home, except for essential outings.
COVID-19 Enforcement Team continues important work across the cityEnforcement of the City’s physical distancing bylaw and the Province’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders is ongoing. Yesterday, the City received 40 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. Bylaw and police officers issued three tickets – bringing the total number of tickets issued since April 3 to 536. Bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 11,500 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures. The City also received 46 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open. Since March 24, Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health have issued 76 tickets and 159 notices to non-essential businesses. Residents can report non-compliance online though the City’s website.
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/run, get some exercise and then keep moving. While visiting a park, people must practise physical distancing. Under the City’s physical distancing bylaw, any two people who don’t live together, who fail to keep two metres of distance between them in a park or public square, can receive a $1,000 ticket. For more information visit the City’s website.
Guild Inn Landslides Clean-Up to BeginI would like to inform you that the Guild Inn Landslides Clean-Up was successfully completed as of last Friday. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority crews were onsite for clean-ups in early April.
Ontario Unveils Guiding Principles to Reopen the Province Today, the Ontario government released A Framework for Reopening our Province, which outlines the criteria Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts will use to advise the government on the loosening of emergency measures, as well as guiding principles for the safe, gradual reopening of businesses, services and public spaces. The framework also provides details of an outreach strategy, led by the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee, to help inform the restart of the provincial economy. Full news release here.
Workers’ Mourning Day – National Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace In honour of persons killed or injured in the workplace, all flags on official flagpoles at Toronto City Hall, East York Civic Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, and Metro Hall will be flown at half-mast on Tuesday April 28 to mark Worker’s Mourning Day – National Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace.
Toronto Public Library Digital Card The Toronto Public Library has launched a new initiative where residents that do not have a library card can now access Overdrive, our largest collection of ebooks and audio books using the new instant digital card. These digital cards will expire September 1, 2020. This service available for individuals 13 years and older.For more information and to access the library digital services, please click on this link.
The List: Great Reads for Youth 2020 Great Reads for Youth 2020 is now available online with 100 title recommendations and 13 video reviews by our teen readers. This resource was created by the Youth Materials Selection Committee (YMSC). 92 of the 100 recommended titles are available digitally. The List: Great Reads for Youth 2020 magazine will be available at branches after we reopen. The magazine can be downloaded as a pdf from the link below. Have fun reading! List Website: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/teens/the-list.jsp
Excess Recycling Place excess recycling in a large clear bag beside your Blue Bin. Flatten excess cardboard, cut into small pieces and bundle with string or twine. More details here.
On my website www.paulainslie.com you can find a list of food banks and soup kitchens in 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.
Essential Government Information for COVID -19Public 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 OntarioGovernment of CanadaWorld Health OrganizationOfficial 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.comYou can also reach me by: telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul