May 25, 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 physical distancing bylaw!
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) today issued a Heat Warning for Toronto for Tuesday, May 26, and Wednesday, May 27. ECCC issues a Heat Warning when it forecasts two or more consecutive days with daytime maximum temperatures of 31°C or warmer, together with minimum nighttime temperatures of 20°C or warmer, or when there is a forecast of two or more consecutive days with humidex values expected to reach 40 or higher.
The City’s Heat Relief Strategy has been updated for the 2020 hot weather season, in response to COVID-19, to ensure that emergency heat relief opportunities are available and accessible to those who may need it. Many facilities that were part of the City’s 2019 Heat Relief Network of cool spaces across Toronto are closed due to COVID-19. For this reason, the City’s plan for heat relief this year has been modified and includes a select number of Emergency Cooling Centres that will open across Toronto during Heat Warnings.
Starting tomorrow (Tuesday, May 26) six locations will offer a publicly accessible air-conditioned place to rest indoors and receive a cool drink. Staff who are trained to assist residents affected by the extreme heat will be on hand. Infection prevention and control measures will be in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Emergency Cooling Centres will be open at the following community centres from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 26 and 27:
- Wallace Emerson Community Centre, 1260 Dufferin St.
- Regent Park Community Centre, 402 Shuter St.
- Malvern Community Centre Arena, 30 Sewells Rd
- Scarborough Village Community Centre Arena, 3600 Kingston Rd.
- Amesbury Arena, 155 Culford Dr.
- Domenico DiLuca Community Centre, 25 Stanley Rd.
Help residents keep cool: Toronto Heat Bylaw
The Heat Bylaw states that all landlords are responsible for providing heat to a minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius from September 15 to June 1. However, there are periods during spring when unseasonably warm weather can cause the indoor temperature of units to rise above this temperature without additional heat. Landlords can turn off the heat in rental units, if the weather outside means that the building is 21 degrees Celsius without heat. More information about the heat bylaw is available at toronto.ca/heatbylaw.
Paramedic Services Week 2020
May 24-30, 2020 is Paramedic Services Week in Canada. This celebration is held each year to recognize the contributions of these vital public servants who help maintain a safe and healthy city for all Torontonians. Today, we acknowledge the staff of Toronto Paramedic Services including those on the frontlines and behind the scenes, who ensure that when any member of the public calls 9-1-1 for medical assistance, they receive superior and compassionate paramedic-based health care, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Waitlist for businesses requiring licenses and/or permits from the City of Toronto
In March, following advice from the Medical Officer of Health and in support of the City of Toronto’s coordinated response to COVID-19, the City suspended a number of City services to ensure the continued delivery of critical services and protect the health of City staff and residents. The issuing of new business licences and renewal of existing licences by the City of Toronto has been suspended since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Municipal Licensing & Standards (MLS) understands the anxiety business owners are experiencing and is making plans to resume licensing activities as part of the City’s recovery and rebuild efforts. A waitlist has been created for businesses requiring licences and/or permits from the City of Toronto. Businesses that are on the waitlist will be contacted directly by MLS staff, in order of registration, with information about next steps in online licensing and resumption of services. Businesses wishing to be added to the waitlist can email mlsapplication@toronto.ca. More information on business licensing and application requirements is available at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/permits-licences-bylaws/.
Non-emergency bylaw enforcement and investigation services remain suspended, including service requests related to enforcement of bylaws governing licensed businesses. Information on City services can be found online: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/affected-city-services/.
Last Pothole Blitz of May
Yesterday, City of Toronto crews repaired 6,807 potholes and addressed 168 requests for pothole repairs during the last of three weekend pothole blitzes planned in May.
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and Mayor John Tory strongly recommend that the public wear a face mask or face covering to protect others when in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. While wearing a face mask or face covering in public can help protect others from your germs, public health officials continue to stress that a face mask or face covering has not been proven to protect the person wearing it from COVID-19 and is not a substitute for physical distancing and hand washing.
Toronto Public Health partnering with COVID-19 Near You
Toronto Public Health is partnering with COVID Near You to monitor the frequency of COVID-like symptoms in Toronto. COVID Near You relies on voluntary participation from the general public, asking you to take a few seconds to report if you or your family members have been healthy or sick.
Toronto Public Health is asking residents to help them learn how symptoms of COVID-19 may be moving through our community by completing a short survey about their current symptoms. A link to the COVID Near You survey can be found on the Reduce Virus Spread page.
City of Toronto update on COVID-19
The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. There are 10,212 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 177 cases since yesterday. There are 377 cases in hospital, with 91 in ICU. In total, 7,509 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 112 cases since yesterday. To date, there have been 761 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform at https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto/.
The City’s coordinated COVID-19 Enforcement Team remains focused on providing education about the physical distancing bylaw and provincial orders. Ensuring compliance through education and awareness remains the preferred method of engagement, but enforcement continues to take place if necessary.
Yesterday, the City had a greater number of bylaw and police officers at Trinity Bellwoods Park throughout the day educating residents about physical distancing and proper use of the park. This strategy was successful, and although many people enjoyed the park, there was not a repeat of Saturday. If a park is crowded when residents arrive, we encourage them to visit a different park, or come back later.
To assist residents with physical distancing, the City is exploring the use of circles painted on the grass, as has been successful in other jurisdictions. This will be piloted in Trinity Bellwoods Park, and staff will evaluate the effectiveness of this measure and may expand it to other destination and high traffic parks in Toronto.
No public ferry access to Toronto Island Park
There is no public ferry access to Toronto Island Park. New federal regulations limit the number of individuals on a ferry in order to reduce crowding and limit the potential for virus transmission. The ferry will continue running for Island residents only.
Online Webinar for Retail Businesses, May 28, 2020
The City’s Economic Development division is working with Toronto Public Health on a number of resources to assist businesses as they work to re-open. Part of that work includes guidelines and best practices for various sectors. This Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the City is hosting a free webinar about government guidelines and recently created City programs to support main street and retail businesses. Register for the event here.
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance now open for applications
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that applications are now being accepted for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. Over the course of the program, property owners will reduce rent by at least 75% for the months of April and May (retroactive), and June, for their small business tenants. CECRA will cover 50% of the rent, with the tenant paying up to 25% and the property forgiving at least 25%. For more information please read the full news release.
COVID-19 Local Assessment centres
If you or someone you know would like to be tested, you’re asked to visit one of the local testing centres closest to you. For a list of available locations, click HERE.
Please click here for a list of food banks and soup kitchens in the Ward 24
Please click here for a list of food banks in East Scarborough
Please click here for a list of food banks in Scarborough
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.
Our KGO Update
Read about East Scarborough’s latest roundup of key neighbourhood resources, virtual results, and up to date information through The East Scarborough Storefront’s crowd-sourced e-newsletter “Our KGO Updates.” Check out their latest issue HERE. SUBSCRIBE HERE.
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