May 1, 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!
Ontario Government release workplace guidelines for businesses to reopen
As of Monday May 4, the following businesses can reopen: garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only; lawn care and landscaping; additional essential construction projects; site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development; automatic and self-serve car washes; auto dealerships, open by appointment only; golf courses and marinas can prepare for the upcoming season, but not open to the public. Ontario government releases guidelines for businesses to reopen, details can be found here.
City Council extends the declaration of the State of Emergency in Toronto
Yesterday, Toronto City Council unanimously voted to extend Mayor John Tory’s State of Emergency declaration in the city of Toronto until the COVID-19 municipal emergency has ended, in accordance with advice from Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health and the Office of Emergency Management. This includes extending the new physical distancing emergency bylaws, to retain physical distancing regulations in parks and public squares for the duration of the COVID-19 municipal emergency. Please read the news release for more information.
City of Toronto accelerates important planned construction and continues maintenance to renew aging infrastructure
This construction season, with traffic volumes on Toronto’s roads down between 45 and 65 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Toronto will accelerate as many important construction projects as possible. City-led construction is considered an essential service by the Province of Ontario. This year, the planned construction will make repairs to Toronto’s major and local roads, sidewalks and cycling infrastructure, improve public transit infrastructure, replace and rehabilitate watermains and sewers, and build and improve major water infrastructure that will help improve Toronto’s waterways and stormwater systems. For more information, please read today’s news release.
City of Toronto to celebrate a virtual Canada Day
Based on the recommendations of the Medical Officer of Health, to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, the City of Toronto will join other municipalities across Canada in celebrating a national virtual Canada Day on July 1, 2020. The City is cancelling all in-person Canada Day events. For more information, please read the news release.
City of Toronto statement on encampment fire fatality
Just before 8:30 this morning, Toronto Fire Services responded to a fire in an encampment near Mount Pleasant Road and Bloor Street East. Tragically, one occupant was found deceased by firefighters. A comprehensive investigation into the origin, cause and circumstances associated with this fire is underway in collaboration between Toronto Fire Services, the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal and the Toronto Police Service. The City extends its deepest condolences to the friends and family of the deceased individual. This is the seventh fire fatality in an encampment in Toronto since 2010, and the first since 2018. For more information, please read the news release.
The use of City parks during COVID-19
As nicer weather approaches, the City wants to leave parks open for residents to enjoy for respite, serenity, and as an escape to nature and green space in our city. However, at this time, the park is not meant to be a destination and all park amenities remain closed. Residents may walk, run or bike through park and ravine green spaces, beaches, trails and boardwalks. Dogs can continue to be walked on-leash. Fishing (with a licence), boating, kayaking and canoeing is also permitted. Please see this Parks Fact Sheet for more information.
Property tax and utility bills
The 60-day grace period for property tax and utility bill payments and late penalties ends May 15. Customers already enrolled in the City’s pre-authorized payment plan don’t have to re-enroll – payments will start again automatically after the grace period ends. Property owners will be receiving a letter in the mail regarding payment due dates. Please visit Property Tax and Utility Bills section of the COVID-19: Changes to City Services webpage for more information.
Residential permit parking renewal
The May 31 deadline for residential permit parking renewal applications has been extended until further notice. Toronto Police will continue to use discretion when enforcing permit parking areas. Learn more at toronto.ca/covid19 under Parking.
Regular updates are being made to the COVID-19: Changes to City Services webpage.
Update on enforcement
The City also received 35 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open. Since March 24, Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health have issued 95 tickets and 200 notices to non-essential businesses.
City of Toronto launches youth violence prevention grant
Mayor John Tory today announced that the City of Toronto will launch a youth violence prevention grant to support the de-escalation of youth violence in Toronto communities. The grant, which was approved by Toronto City Council on February 19, 2020, will see $2 million in funding allocated to community agencies for youth violence prevention projects in nine communities.
The nine communities identified for funding are:
- Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown (Priority: Pittsboro/Orphington)
- Lawrence Heights (Priority: Neptune)
- Regent Park (Priority: Regent Park, St. James Town, Yonge & Gerrard and the Esplanade)
- Flemingdon/Thorncliffe
- Malvern/Morningside/Woburn (Priority: Empiringham, Orton Park, Cedarbrae and Danzig)
- Rexdale/Kingsview Village (Priority: Willowridge, Capri, East Mall and West Mall)
- Dorset Park (Priority: Glenmorgan, Canlish)
- Steeles L’Amoureaux (Priority: Glendower, Bay Mills and Chester Le)
- Oakwood Village (Priority: Eglinton West, Little Jamaica, and Vaughn Road)
To be eligible for a grant, the:
- projects should be aimed at programming that is responsive to violence prevention and intervention for youth ages 10 to 29
- agency must have a proven track record (three or more years) of working with youth most vulnerable to being involved in serious violence and crime
- agency must display success with violence intervention and de-escalation strategies
- lead agency must be a Toronto-based, incorporated for public benefit organization with audited financial statements for the last fiscal year.
See full news release here.
311 for Household Hazardous Waste Pick Up
Residents can now contact 311 in order to schedule household hazardous waste pick up. Information on household hazardous waste can be found on the City’s website here.
The 2020 Annual Human Library
A Human Library is an event where individuals share their stories and experiences with the community. The Mind & Spirit Youth Leadership committee is looking for story tellers to join in a community story telling virtual event! This event will be held online via Zoom. If you are interested in being a ‘Living Book’, please send in your story by Monday, May 11th, 2020 to msyleadership@gmail.com or call 647-521-5755/ 647-382-9193. Storytellers will be compensated.
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