June 4, 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!
The East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club will offer Free Pick-Up Lunch this Friday June 5 @ 12:30-2:30PM at 100 Galloway Rd. This week’s menu will be: Burgers (Halal and veggie options available). Register here.
Pride Month Toronto
It’s Pride Month in Toronto! Pride Toronto’s 2020 Virtual Festival runs from June 1 to 28 celebrating Pride in a new, creative and unique way to showcase the history, courage and diversity of LGBTQ2S+, while ensuring the safety of residents and proper physical distancing. More at www.pridetoronto.com
National Indigenous Month
Mayor Tory proclaimed June as National Indigenous Month for the first time in Toronto. National Indigenous Month provides an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous heritage, diversity and vibrant culture while acknowledging and reflecting on the achievements of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. The City of Toronto encourages all residents to take time to educate themselves about Indigenous histories, strengths, and contributions. For more information, please click here.
Celebrating Seniors Month
The month of June is celebrated as seniors’ month here in Ontario and across Canada. We celebrate the achievements of all seniors who helped build our province and country. During this crisis, we want to make sure that seniors living in our community are celebrating safely and can communicate through innovative mediums with their loved ones. If you want to recognize a remarkable senior in our community, please nominate them for an Ontario Senior Achievement Award. More information can be found here.
To our seniors, thank you for all the work you’ve done, and continue to do, to build our community and our country.
Canadian seniors to receive special payment in early July
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) will receive their special one-time, tax-free payment during the week of July 6. Through this measure and others, the government is providing nearly $900 more for single seniors and more than $1,500 for senior couples, on top of their existing benefits, to help these vulnerable Canadians with extra costs during the pandemic. More in the news release.
Street food vendors, food and ice cream trucks resume operations just in time for summer
Street food vending and food trucks allow for a broad range of food in Toronto that is safe, healthy, affordable and culturally diverse. Yesterday, Mayor Tory announced that these businesses can now resume operations – just in time for this year’s summer vending season.
For everyone’s safety, all operators must adhere to physical distancing requirements for the public and provide proper health and safety measures for their staff. Residents visiting street food vendors, food or ice cream trucks should maintain a distance of two metres or six feet from others while waiting in line. Food is for take away and can be enjoyed at home or in the park.
All street food vendors who wish to operate on public or private property require a valid business licence. Vendors who wish to operate on city streets or sidewalks or in City parks also require a vending permit. More information can be found on the City’s Food Trucks, Food Carts & Ice Cream Trucks page.
Toronto Public Health COVID-19 case and contact management work critical for re-opening Toronto
Since January, the City of Toronto has faced the most significant and complex infectious outbreak our city has ever experienced. As our local response to the spread of the virus continues, Toronto Public Health’s case and contact management program remains one our most critical tools to curb this virus spread. Read more.
City of Toronto update on COVID-19 and enforcement
As of June 3, there are 11,835 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 183 cases since yesterday. There are 365 people hospitalized, with 82 in ICU. In total, 9,131 people have recovered from COVID-19. To date, there have been 883 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data and geographic maps can be found on the City’s reporting platform.
The City’s COVID-19 enforcement team remains focused on providing education about the physical distancing bylaw and provincial orders. Yesterday, the City received 82 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks or squares. Bylaw officers issued one ticket. This month, bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 800 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.
Pop-Up COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute
Scarborough Health Network is teaming up with Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Health to open a one-day COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate.
Friday June 5th 9AM to 5PM at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute (145 Guildwood Pkwy)
Details on Scarborough Health Network’s Pop-Up Locations here.
Volunteer with GlobalMedic
GlobalMedic will be packing hygiene kits and emergency food nearly every weekday to support vulnerable people and front-line healthcare workers across Canada. For more information and to sign up to volunteer with GlobalMedic visit this link.
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.
What’s On at the Library: Home Edition
Be the first to know about the latest library news, upcoming programs and newest titles. Subscribe here.
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