Month: July 2020

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City of Toronto COVID-19 Update for July 17, 2020

July 17, 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 and the new mandatory mask or face covering bylaw!

City of Toronto launches ParksPlayTO and Summer in the 6IX to provide free outdoor programs for children and youth in Toronto

Today, the City of Toronto launched two new outdoor recreation initiatives for Toronto children and youth. ParksPlayTO and Summer in the 6IX will engage Toronto youth, children and their families and help animate up to 100 local Toronto parks and outdoor spaces this summer.

Beginning Monday, July 20, ParksPlayTO will offer free drop-in and activity-based, recreation programming Monday to Friday each week at multiple locations. ParksPlayTO will offer activities such as nature exploring, gardening, active games, arts and crafts, family fitness, story-telling and music circles for children and their caregivers. Any child age 12 and under accompanied by a caregiver age 18 or older can participate in ParksPlayTO. Caregivers can bring up to four children and must remain at the park to participate in the program. ParksPlayTO morning sessions will begin at 9:15 a.m. and afternoon sessions will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Summer in the 6IX, which will also begin on Monday, is a free program designed for Toronto youth, aged 13 to 24, offering opportunities to drop in, meet up with friends and participate in fun, themed activities. Summer in the 6IX will offer a range of programming including dance, fitness, ecology and sports as well as leadership, employment, arts and media. Summer in the 6IX will be available to all Toronto youth at a variety of Toronto parks. There will be three sessions offered a day at multiple locations across the city seven days a week. For more information please read the news release.

City to open 14 Emergency Cooling Centres during Heat Warning

Environment and Climate Change Canada has declared a Heat Warning for Toronto starting Friday, July 17 to Monday, July 20. Extreme heat is associated with negative health impacts ranging from heat stress to heat stroke and death.

It is mandatory for the public to wear non-medical masks or face coverings, with some exceptions, at all ECCS. A mask will be provided at the ECC to those without a mask who want to enter. An interactive map is available to help those who need to locate an ECC, as well as other cool spaces, such as swimming pools, wading pools and splash pads near them. Tips to protect yourself from the heat are available on the City’s website.

ActiveTO road closures, cycling network and Quiet Streets

The following ActiveTO major road closures will be in place this weekend, from Saturday, July 18 at 6 a.m. to Sunday, July 19 at 11 p.m.:

  • Lake Shore Boulevard West (eastbound lanes only) from Windermere Avenue to Stadium Road. As a result, the eastbound Gardiner Expressway off ramp to Lake Shore Boulevard West (exit #146) will also be closed
  • Lake Shore Boulevard East (eastbound lanes only) from Leslie Street to just south of Woodbine Avenue (Kew Beach Avenue)
  • Bayview Avenue from Front Street East to Rosedale Valley Road, and River Street from Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenue

More information, including an online map of all locations, can be found on the ActiveTO webpage: www.toronto.ca/activeTO.

Restaurant not obeying provincial orders

Toronto restaurants and bars continue to be open for delivery, takeout and outdoor dining only. Customers can only be inside a restaurant or bar to access an outdoor dining area (i.e. walk through to a back patio), pick up food, pay or use the washroom; while within the enclosed public space, customers and employees must be wearing a mask as required by the establishment’s mask policy and the City’s Mask or Face Covering Bylaw.

The City has received many complaints regarding restaurants and bars not following physical distancing requirements, as well as illegally offering customers indoor dining. Enforcement officers from Municipal Licensing & Standards, Toronto Public Health, Toronto Police Service, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will be teaming up to increase inspections of liquor-licensed establishments in the city this weekend to address businesses that, despite widespread efforts to educate them on public health requirements to keep their customers, employees and the public safe, continue to disobey provincial orders.

City of Toronto update on COVID-19

There are 15,037 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 81 cases since Wednesday. There are 139 people hospitalized, with 29 in ICU. In total, 13,377 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 118 cases since Wednesday. To date, there have been 1,133 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.

Mandatory Face Coverings on the GO Transit and UP Express

As of July 21, Metrolinx is making face coverings mandatory on GO Transit and UP Express as they’re essential to keeping everyone safe on transit. As more customers are returning to GO and UP services each day and as the Greater Toronto Area prepares for Stage 3 of the recovery process, now is the right time to bring in a mandatory face-covering policy. Learn more about GO Transit’s COVID-19 safety measures by visiting their website.

Toronto Zoo Welcomes Birth of Endangered Red Panda Cubs: First Red Panda Cubs Born at Your Toronto Zoo in 24 Years

In the late afternoon of Tuesday, July 14, 2020, Ila, your Toronto Zoo’s two-year-old female red panda, gave birth to two healthy cubs. This is the first red panda pregnancy at the Zoo since 1996, and this is the first offspring for mother Ila with father Suva, a three-year-old male.

Both mom and cubs are doing well, and Wildlife Care Keepers continue to monitor Ila and cubs closely, using cameras for minimal disturbance, to ensure cubs continue to nurse from Ila regularly. To catch a glimpse of Baby Reds in their nest box click HERE. To find out how you can support the endangered red pandas and other wildlife conservation work at your Toronto Zoo, please CLICK HERE.

Manifesting Amazing Dreams

The Manifesting Amazing Dreams program is an initiative of the CTI and is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS). The program supports youth between the ages of 12 and 20 who are experiencing multiple barriers, including, but not limited to, involvement/risk of involvement in criminal activity, the justice system, and gang activity. The program is delivered twice per week for 10 weeks.  The youth receive an honorarium of $20 per session for their participation. The program will commence on August 4. If you have any questions please contact mad@cantraining.org or call 416-206-6050.

Additional Surveys for Residents

Social Planning Toronto is coordinating an opportunities for residents, community members and grassroots groups to provide input to the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild (TORR) Consultations. These surveys are designed specifically for residents/grassroot groups in NIAs, Toronto Community Housing tenants, and seniors living in Long-Term Care Homes. Please see different options to provide input below:

The deadline for all consultations is 5:00 PM, Friday July 24th.

ActiveTO Quiet Street Feedback Survey

Select streets around the city have been designated as a Quiet Streets in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the City of Toronto’s ActiveTO initiative. ‘Shared Space’ on Quiet Streets is intended to help residents maintain physical distancing while walking, running, using wheelchairs and biking. Tell us what you think about ActiveTO’s Quiet Streets Initiative HERE.

Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Soles and Steps Walkathon needs your support!

Amidst the ongoing worldwide conversations surrounding systematic racial barriers, Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough is raising donations to continue their work surrounding diversity and equity while enhancing the services and programs currently provided for the racialized families residing in underserved areas of East Scarborough. If you would like to donate, please click on this GoFundMe link.

Community Food Drive TOMORROW

TOMORROW July 18 from 10AM to 2PM a Community Food Drive hosted by the Knights of Columbus will be held in the parking lot of St. Martin de Porres Church (4179 Lawrence Ave. E.). Appropriate physical distancing protocols will be observed. All community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items that will be taken from the trunks of your car by the members of the Knights of Columbus, so you will not have to leave your vehicle. The food donations collected will be delivered on Monday to the West Hill Food Bank (4205 Lawrence Ave. E.)

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.

insidehousing: News from Toronto Community Housing

Check out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

BusinessTO Newsletter: BusinessTO’s upcoming webinars and online events

Check out their latest newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.

What’s On at the Library: Home Edition

Check out the latest copy HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Our KGO Updates: East Scarborough Storefront’s crowd-sourced e-newsletter

Check out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

TDSB Trustee Update by Ward 19 Scarborough-Guildwood Trustee Zakir Patel

Check out the latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Toronto Zoo Press Releases

Latest issue HERE. Contact achambers@torontozoo.ca to subscribe.

Confronting Anti-Black Racism Summer Newsletter 2020

To read the latest news from the City’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit please click 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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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.

City Services are regularly updated as services come back online.  The city recommenced attending to noise complaints July 2nd with a target response within 2-4 days.  With over 800 complaints received since July 2nd staff doing their best to respond within the timelines.  Short Term Rentals complaints have been responded to throughout the pandemic.  Property Standards complaints will recommence on the 3rd week in July. More information can be found here.

The City of Toronto’s website can be translated into many languages using the GoogleTM Translate tool. This tool gives residents and visitors who speak other languages a way of accessing City information featured on the website. To change languages on the City of Toronto website, please click here: https://www.toronto.ca/home/translate/

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 

Posted on

July 16, 2020 City of Toronto COVID-19 Update

July 16, 2020 

Dear Ward 24 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 and the new mandatory mask or face covering bylaw!

City to open 14 Emergency Cooling Centres during Heat Warning

Environment and Climate Change Canada has declared a Heat Warning for Toronto starting tomorrow, Friday, July 17 to Monday, July 20. Extreme heat is associated with negative health impacts ranging from heat stress to heat stroke and death.

During periods of hot weather, the safety of all residents is the priority. The City of Toronto will open 14 Emergency Cooling Centres (ECCs) tomorrow for the duration of the Heat Warning. Please note that the ECC Parkdale location has changed from the Parkdale Library, 1303 Queen St. W., to Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre, 220 Cowan Ave. The ECC at Wallace-Emerson Community Centre is no longer open due to previous low attendance and to make additional space for camp.

It is mandatory for the public to wear non-medical masks or face coverings, with some exceptions, at all ECCS. A mask will be provided at the ECC to those without a mask who want to enter.

An interactive map is available to help those who need to locate an ECC, as well as other cool spaces, such as swimming pools, wading pools and splash pads near them. Tips to protect yourself from the heat are available on the City’s website.

City invites applications for Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Programme

The City of Toronto has launched the Toronto edition of C40’s international Women4Climate Mentorship Programme to encourage and inspire women’s leadership in responding to climate change. This program matches mentors from local government, the business sector, international organizations and social agencies with emerging women leaders. Mentors share their knowledge and experiences, supporting the mentees in becoming powerful advocates in addressing climate change. Three Canadian cities are participating in the program: Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Over seven months, Women4ClimateTO will engage 12 women who live, work or attend school in Toronto and provide a program that combines mentorship, networking and collaborative learning opportunities. Following the formal mentorship program, mentees will participate in a pitch competition to showcase their ideas. The application deadline has been extended to July 31. More information about Women4ClimateTO is available at toronto.ca/livegreen. For more information, please read the news release.

New COVID-19 health and safety regulations for landlords of rental apartments in Toronto

On June 29, 2020, City Council adopted new health and safety rules for apartment building owners and operators to follow during the COVID-19 pandemic. These rules aim to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in multi-tenanted buildings. Until October 31, 2020, apartment building owners and operators registered in the RentSafeTO: Apartment Building Standards bylaw enforcement program are required to:

  1. provide hand sanitizer in all common areas that remain open, such as building entrances and laundry rooms.
  2. ensure non-essential common areas, such as gyms and playrooms, remain closed in compliance with provincial restrictions
  3. clean frequently-touched surfaces in all open common areas with household cleaners and disinfectants twice daily and when visibly dirty, and
  4. post Toronto Public Health signage on physical distancing and shared laundry rooms.

More information on the new requirements for landlords is available on the RentSafeTO for Building Owners webpage. If tenants have health and safety concerns, they are advised to talk to their landlord or building manager first and submit a service request. If the landlord does not take action and the problems persist, tenants should contact 311 for the RentSafeTO team to respond.

City of Toronto update on COVID-19

There are 14,956 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 59 cases since Monday. There are 145 people hospitalized, with 30 in ICU. In total, 13,259 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 111 cases since Monday. To date, there have been 1,126 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.

Public Safety Alert, Fraud Investigation, Online Employment Scam

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of an ongoing fraud investigation regarding an online employment scam that reports, the employee is directed to pick up and deposit a cheque, turn the money over to another person or be directed to take the cash and deposit it into a bitcoin machine. Police would like to remind the public there are no delivery jobs that involve picking up cheques made out to employees and depositing them into their own accounts.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). For more information please read the news release.

Toronto Public Services Board concludes virtual Town Hall Sessions

The Board, today, concluded a series of virtual town hall meetings held on July 9, 10, 15 and 16, 2020.  These meetings were created in response to the thousands of messages that the Board has received, as an opportunity to hear directly from the public on matters concerning police accountability, reform, and community safety priorities. 

The submissions the Board received are being compiled and will be accessible here before the next Board meeting.  The Board wishes to thank all members of the public and organizations that participated in these Town Halls, viewed them online, or otherwise made their views on these important issues known. In addition, please be advised that the Board meeting originally scheduled for Thursday July 30, 2020 has been cancelled, a newly scheduled Board meeting to be held on August 18, 2020.

Toronto Arts Council Upcoming Webinar

TAC is teaming up with EDC and Toronto Public Health to present a Digital Update with the latest information and answers to your questions. Please join the conversation with Pat Tobin (Director Arts and Culture Services), Claire Hopkinson (Director and CEO, Toronto Arts Council), David Absalom (Toronto Public Health). The intent of this session is to provide updates on the impact of Stage 3 on Toronto arts organizations. The Webinar takes place on Thursday July 23, 2:30-3:30pm. Register HERE.

360 Stories E-Anthology Launch: Magic Mayhem & Me

The 360° Stories Online E-Anthology Launch will be hosted on Zoom on Thursday July 23rd, 2020 from 11:00 AM -12:00 PM and will feature:

  • Readings from the e-magazine by some of the young authors
  • Q&A with the authors
  • Sneak peek of the e-Anthology & opportunities to purchase your copy

Join student authors, their families, and program partners to celebrate! Register now by clicking HERE.  

Additional Surveys for Residents

Social Planning Toronto is coordinating an opportunities for residents, community members and grassroots groups to provide input to the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild (TORR) Consultations. These surveys are designed specifically for residents/grassroot groups in NIAs, Toronto Community Housing tenants, and seniors living in Long-Term Care Homes. Your input is valuable to the Recovery and Rebuild Strategy to ensure the needs of Toronto communities hardest hit by the pandemic are prioritized through the City’s recovery and rebuilding process. Please see different options to provide input below:

The deadline for all consultations is 5:00 PM, Friday July 24th.

ActiveTO Quiet Street Feedback Survey

Select streets around the city have been designated as a Quiet Streets in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the City of Toronto’s ActiveTO initiative. ‘Shared Space’ on Quiet Streets is intended to help residents maintain physical distancing while walking, running, using wheelchairs and biking. Tell us what you think about ActiveTO’s Quiet Streets Initiative HERE.

Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Soles and Steps Walkathon needs your support!

Amidst the ongoing worldwide conversations surrounding systematic racial barriers, Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough is raising donations to continue their work surrounding diversity and equity while enhancing the services and programs currently provided for the racialized families residing in underserved areas of East Scarborough. If you would like to donate, please click on this GoFundMe link.

Community Food Drive

On Saturday July 18 from 10AM to 2PM a Community Food Drive hosted by the Knights of Columbus will be held in the parking lot of St. Martin de Porres Church (4179 Lawrence Ave. E.). Appropriate physical distancing protocols will be observed. All community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items that will be taken from the trunks of your car by the members of the Knights of Columbus, so you will not have to leave your vehicle. The food donations collected will be delivered on Monday to the West Hill Food Bank (4205 Lawrence Ave. E.)

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.

insidehousing: News from Toronto Community Housing

Check out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

*NEW* BusinessTO Newsletter: BusinessTO’s upcoming webinars and online events

Check out their latest newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.

What’s On at the Library: Home Edition

Check out the latest copy HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Our KGO Updates: East Scarborough Storefront’s crowd-sourced e-newsletter

Check out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

TDSB Trustee Update by Ward 19 Scarborough-Guildwood Trustee Zakir Patel

Check out the latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Toronto Zoo Press Releases

Latest issue HERE. Contact achambers@torontozoo.ca to subscribe.

Confronting Anti-Black Racism Summer Newsletter 2020

To read the latest news from the City’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit please click 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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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.

City Services are regularly updated as services come back online.  The city recommenced attending to noise complaints July 2nd with a target response within 2-4 days.  With over 800 complaints received since July 2nd staff doing their best to respond within the timelines.  Short Term Rentals complaints have been responded to throughout the pandemic.  Property Standards complaints will recommence on the 3rd week in July. More information can be found here.

The City of Toronto’s website can be translated into many languages using the GoogleTM Translate tool. This tool gives residents and visitors who speak other languages a way of accessing City information featured on the website. To change languages on the City of Toronto website, please click here: https://www.toronto.ca/home/translate/

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 

Posted on

2019 Toronto Response to COVID-19 for July 15, 2020

July 15, 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 and the new mandatory mask or face covering bylaw!

Urgent Rapid Access to Housing Breakdown

I’ve received a number of requests for a breakdown of the urgent rapid housing access in the City of Toronto. The City of Toronto’s Shelter, Support and Housing Administration have permanently housed 1,309 people from the shelter system over the last four months. 721 households, of which 468 were singles and 841 were families, 133 people were placed in RGI units through the centralized waiting list, 960 people were placed in private market rent with the support of housing allowance and 216 people were placed in vacant TCHC units.

Everyone included in this breakdown was placed into housing directly from shelter and the units are permanent. If you have any follow-up questions or concerns please contact my office at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca or 416-396-7222.

City of Toronto provides additional support for individuals and families in shelters

The City of Toronto is supporting newcomers experiencing homelessness with an innovative new temporary program as part of the COVID-19 shelter response.

The City is utilizing vacant units in four Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) buildings slated for demolition as part of the Regent Park revitalization to provide temporary accommodation for refugee/asylum seekers. The program supports the City’s efforts to provide increased physical distancing in the shelter system.

Clients will move-in on a phased in-basis starting in mid-July. There are up to 70 units spread over four buildings that can accommodate up to 160 clients until the end of the year. The site will operate temporarily until such time as the clients have all found permanent housing or by December 15, 2020 in alignment with the revitalization schedule for the site. For more information, please read the news release.

City of Toronto community centres and indoor pools to open next week

Today, Mayor Tory announced that City of Toronto’s community centres, recreation centres and indoor pools will be reopening on Monday, July 20. The community centres, recreation centres and indoor pools were closed in March to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

As Toronto remains in Stage 2 of the Province’s reopening plan, a total of 119 community and recreation centres, including 29 locations with indoor pools will reopen to the public for limited use on July 20. Indoor pools will reopen for drop-in lane and leisure swimming.

At this time, the City’s community centres cannot offer or facilitate indoor sports, fitness and wellness activities, singing and dancing programs as well as food preparation, distribution or dining activities where equipment or supplies are passed or shared amongst participants. This includes activities like card games, chess or dominoes. The City anticipates that some of these amenities and activities will resume when Toronto reaches Stage 3 of reopening. For more information, please read the news release.

Two City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & recreation workers test positive for COVID-19

This City of Toronto was made aware of two employees with the Parks, Forestry & Recreation Division (PFR) who have tested positive for COVID-19. Exposure to the virus occurred between July 6 and 10 and did not occur in the workplace. One employee who tested positive has had brief contact with a part-time worker at the Ellesmere Community Centre CampTO program. The program will not be required to close. There are 11 campers at this camp. The other employee works in sanitation for PFR and does not come into contact with children or families at CampTO.

No children taking part in CampTO programs, which began yesterday, July 13, have been directly exposed to the employees who have tested positive. The City, however, is in the process now of advising families, employees, the union, and the public and of these cases as a matter of public transparency. Toronto Public Health advises that the risk of contracting COVID-19 for children and families at this CampTO program is very low. For more information, please read the news release.

City of Toronto update on COVID-19

There are 14,956 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 59 cases since Monday. There are 145 people hospitalized, with 30 in ICU. In total, 13,259 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 111 cases since Monday. To date, there have been 1,126 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.

Extendicare Guildwood Home Update

Extendicare Guildwood is happy to welcome friends and family for outdoor visits. Outdoor visits can be scheduled by contacting Rosanne at 416-266-711 ext. 237 between 8:30am to 4:30pm from Monday to Thursday. Please call two days in advance when booking your visit.

Family Town Hall: This Friday July 17, SHN will moderate the Family Townhall with panelists from SHN and Extendicare. The meeting will take place at 2pm. More details about the meeting and how to join can be found HERE.

Toronto Senior Services and Long-Term Care (SSLTC) COVID-19 Update Bulletin

Removing Mask or Face Covering for Outdoor Visits: SSLTC has confirmed with both the Ministry and Toronto Public Health, that once visitors are seated 6 feet away from the resident for an outdoor visit, the mask or face covering can be removed and a face shield used. This enhancement is within the Ministry guidelines, Resuming Visits in Long-Term Care Homes. Once your visit is over, please put your mask or face covering back on.

Active on-line screening in LTC is here: The City of Toronto is testing the use of online health screening for long-term care home staff and visitors. Castleview Wychwood Towers are currently conducting a pilot. The system allows employees and visitors to complete the On-line Screening Process before their shift/using a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. SSLTC’s COVID-19 Update Bulletin can be found HERE.

Welcome back to your Toronto Zoo! Timed-Tickets Now Available through August 5, 2020!

Your Toronto Zoo has established new protocols to ensure your visit is a safe and happy one including online booking to purchase timed-tickets before your visit allowing us to socially distance guests, new one-way walking paths, additional cleaning protocols, wearing facial coverings, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the Zoo. To book your Scenic Safari Drive-Thru or Walking Route Timed-Tickets, click HERE.

Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood 2020 Street Furniture Installations

A number of benches, litter receptacles and transit shelters have been approved for installation in our ward. These elements will be installed within the 2020 year or over the next few years. The elements selected are based on the requests from the public, Business Improvement Areas, and residents’ associations. A list of upcoming street furniture projects can be found HERE and a map of the project locations HERE. 

Additional Surveys for Residents

Social Planning Toronto is coordinating an opportunities for residents, community members and grassroots groups to provide input to the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild (TORR) Consultations. These surveys are designed specifically for residents/grassroot groups in NIAs, Toronto Community Housing tenants, and seniors living in Long-Term Care Homes. Your input is valuable to the Recovery and Rebuild Strategy to ensure the needs of Toronto communities hardest hit by the pandemic are prioritized through the City’s recovery and rebuilding process. Please see different options to provide input below:

The deadline for all consultations is 5:00 PM, Friday July 24th.

ActiveTO Quiet Street Feedback Survey

Select streets around the city have been designated as a Quiet Streets in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the City of Toronto’s ActiveTO initiative. ‘Shared Space’ on Quiet Streets is intended to help residents maintain physical distancing while walking, running, using wheelchairs and biking. Tell us what you think about ActiveTO’s Quiet Streets Initiative HERE.

Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Soles and Steps Walkathon needs your support!

Amidst the ongoing worldwide conversations surrounding systematic racial barriers, Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough is raising donations to continue their work surrounding diversity and equity while enhancing the services and programs currently provided for the racialized families residing in underserved areas of East Scarborough. If you would like to donate, please click on this GoFundMe link.

Community Food Drive

On Saturday July 18 from 10AM to 2PM a Community Food Drive hosted by the Knights of Columbus will be held in the parking lot of St. Martin de Porres Church (4179 Lawrence Ave. E.). Appropriate physical distancing protocols will be observed. All community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items that will be taken from the trunks of your car by the members of the Knights of Columbus, so you will not have to leave your vehicle.

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.

insidehousing: News from Toronto Community Housing

Check out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

BusinessTO Newsletter: BusinessTO’s upcoming webinars and online events

Check out their latest newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.

What’s On at the Library: Home Edition

Check out the latest copy HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Our KGO Updates: East Scarborough Storefront’s crowd-sourced e-newsletter

Check out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

TDSB Trustee Update by Ward 19 Scarborough-Guildwood Trustee Zakir Patel

Check out the latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Toronto Zoo Press Releases

Latest issue HERE. Contact achambers@torontozoo.ca to subscribe.

Confronting Anti-Black Racism Summer Newsletter 2020

To read the latest news from the City’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit please click 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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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.

City Services are regularly updated as services come back online.  The city recommenced attending to noise complaints July 2nd with a target response within 2-4 days.  With over 800 complaints received since July 2nd staff doing their best to respond within the timelines.  Short Term Rentals complaints have been responded to throughout the pandemic.  Property Standards complaints will recommence on the 3rd week in July. More information can be found here.

The City of Toronto’s website can be translated into many languages using the GoogleTM Translate tool. This tool gives residents and visitors who speak other languages a way of accessing City information featured on the website. To change languages on the City of Toronto website, please click here: https://www.toronto.ca/home/translate/

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