June 9, 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!
Bike Share Toronto announces program expansion which will bring Bike Sharing to 20 of Toronto’s 25 Wards
The 2020 expansion will add a total of 1,850 new bicycles, 160 stations and 3,615 docking points to the already expansive network. After today’s announcement, the system will grow to a total of 6,850 bikes, 625 stations, 12,000 docking points. This year, the expansion includes the launch of two satellite Bike Share pilot areas – one in North York and one in Scarborough with up to eight new stations in each area. The pilot areas cover Ward 6 (York Centre), Ward 7 (Humber River-Black Creek), Ward 24 (Scarborough-Guildwood), and Ward 25 (Scarborough-Rouge Park). TPA will monitor the stations to assess their use and performance over a determined period of time to ensure that it is serving residents as best as possible.
Another new feature of this year’s expansion is the launch of an e-bike pilot program that will be launched later this summer. The 300 pedal assist e-bikes and 10 e-bike charging stations for the pilot are included in the total expansion numbers. Further details on the e-bike pilot program will be announced in the near future. For more information please read the news release.
City of Toronto planning for restart of City services and reopening of economy
The City of Toronto has, since April, been hard at work planning for the eventual restart of City services and the reopening of the economy. Last month, under the leadership of Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, General Manager of the City’s Office of Emergency Management, the Emergency Operations Centre created a “restart roadmap” to help guide the restarting of City operations and to support businesses in their safe reopening. Yesterday’s announcement by the Province of Ontario, outlining the next phase of provincial reopening plans, supports the work the City has completed to date. Read the full news release.
City opens 14 Emergency Cooling Centres during Heat Warnings
With the arrival of warmer temperatures and with a Heat Warning called by Environment and Climate Change Canada for today and tomorrow, the City of Toronto is opening 14 Emergency Cooling Centres to help residents who do not have access to a cool space and cannot keep cool in their home or outdoors.
Environment and Climate Change Canada 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. All the centres will operate during Heat Warnings only, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Metro Hall, which will run 24 hours during Heat Warnings.
The 14 Emergency Cooling Centre are:
- Metro Hall, 55 John St.
- East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave.
- North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St.
- Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall
- Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr.
- Domenico Di Luca Community Recreation Centre, 25 Stanley Rd.
- Scarborough Village Recreation Centre, 3600 Kingston Rd.
- Amesbury Sports Complex (Arena), 155 Culford Dr.
- Wallace Emerson Community Centre, 1260 Dufferin St.
- Regent Park Community Centre, 402 Shuter St.
- Malvern Recreation Centre, 30 Sewells Rd.
- Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre, 48 Thorncliffe Park Dr.
- Elmbank Community Centre, 10 Rampart Rd.
- Ourland Community Centre, 18 Ourland Ave.
An interactive map is available here to help those who need to locate an Emergency Cooling Centre near them.
Tips for keeping cool during extreme heat
Actions you can take to beat the heat, keep cool and stay safe include:
- Stay hydrated. Drink a lot of water even before you feel thirsty.
- Check on others. Call, text or video chat with family, friends and neighbours (especially older adults living alone) to make sure they’re staying hydrated and keeping cool.
- Take cool showers or baths or use cool, wet towels to cool down.
- Use a fan near an open window to bring in cooler air from outside.
- Avoid the sun. Stay in the shade or use an umbrella.
- Dress for the weather. Wear loose, light-coloured, breathable clothing and, if outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Block the sun. Keep blinds or curtains closed during the day.
- Protect people and pets. Never leave a person or pet inside a parked car.
- Avoid using the oven or stove; they make your space hotter.
- Consult with your doctor or pharmacist on medications that increase your risk to heat.
- In an emergency, always call 911. Call 911 if you have or someone you are with has a high body temperature, is confused, is unconscious, or has fainted.
More tips to protect yourself from the heat are available at https://www.toronto.ca/keepcool. When a Heat Warning is declared, those who need assistance or have heat-related inquiries can call 311.
Ontario Helping Parents Return to Work: Province Reopening Child Care with Strict Protocols to Keep Kids and Staff Safe
Today, the Ontario government announced its plan to reopen child care centres across the province to support the next stage of the province’s reopening framework. Developed in consultation with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and medical leaders at The Hospital for Sick Children, the plan will require child care operators to follow strict health protocols to ensure the safety of child care staff and children. For more information, please read the provincial news release.
City of Toronto update on COVID-19 and enforcement
As of June 8, there are 12,828 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 121 cases since the day before. There are 335 people hospitalized, with 77 in ICU. In total, 9,907 people have recovered from COVID-19. To date, there have been 952 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data and geographic maps can be found on the City’s reporting platform.
Toronto ACORN citywide campaign conference
Join us this Thursday June 11th, at 6:30 PM for the Toronto ACORN citywide campaign conference. City council is opening back up and there are important votes coming up for our Internet for All, Rent Control, and Affordable Housing and we need to plan out how to increase the pressure to win our demands!
By computer or smartphone, just click this link: | By phone: join the call by dialing 647 374 4685, and then enter meeting ID 217 763 0191, press # and then press # again. Please RSVP by email or by calling 416 461 9233.
Notice of Application: First Party Sign Variance at 300 Painted Post Drive
An application for a sign by-law variation has been submitted for a proposed illuminated gas sign at the Pioneer gas station at Markham Road and Painted Post. If you are in the area and have any comments you would like to submit to the Sign By-Law Unit for consideration, please phone or email them at signbylawunit@toronto.ca and copy my office.
The last day to submit comments is June 12. More information 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.
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