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:
- One on One Survey (for individuals)
- Group Discussion (for grassroot organizations)
- Share your story
- RecoveryRebuild@toronto.ca (Please cc: lnicholson@socialplanningtoronto.org)
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:
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