September 15, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
I want to thank everyone for your efforts during these difficult times. It is very important that we all follow the mandatory physical distancing bylaw and the new mandatory mask or face covering bylaw! Please take a moment to complete my COVID-19 Information Survey.
Today, September 15 is Rehabilitation Day where we acknowledge the life-changing impact that rehabilitation services have made on the lives of residents. Today we recognize the rehabilitation professionals who dedicate themselves to helping others, through rehabilitation services.
As we continue to battle with the circulation of COVID-19, let us continue to honour and give thanks to all health care workers who have committed to keeping our communities healthy. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, long-term care staff and hospital administrative and support staff step into work each day dedicated to saving lives and keeping people safe. Their ongoing support and efforts have been vital during this pandemic and will continue to play a crucial role in keeping Toronto safe.
City of Toronto calls for Federal-Provincial-City partnership to create 3,000 permanent, affordable homes over the next 24 months
The City of Toronto has issued the COVID-19 Housing and Homelessness Recovery Response Plan — an urgent appeal to the federal and provincial governments to create 3,000 permanent, affordable homes, within the next 24 months, for homeless, vulnerable and marginalized residents. These investments will support the Council-approved HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan aimed at helping more than 340,000 households in Toronto over the next 10 years.
The 3,000 permanent, affordable homes would comprise: 1,000 new permanent modular homes; 1,000 new permanent affordable rental homes created through acquisitions and shovel-ready construction projects; and new portable housing benefits that will assist 1,000 people secure housing and pay rent. The plan also calls for funding to assist 2,000 of these residents with the supports required to maintain stable housing, such as mental health services, substance abuse services, assistance with daily living activities for those with disabilities and senior services. For more information please read the news release.
ActiveTO major weekend road closures to expand to Yonge Street on final two Sundays in September
Mayor John Tory announced today that the City of Toronto will expand ActiveTO major weekend road closures to include Yonge Street, between Davenport Road and Queen’s Quay, on the final two Sundays in September.
In partnership with Open Streets, the City will add part of Yonge Street to the popular weekend road closures initiative on Sunday, September 20 and Sunday, September 27. Roads will begin to close starting as early as 8 a.m. and be reopened by 3 p.m. each day. When all closures are in place, including Yonge Street, there will be more than 14 total kilometres of major roadway available for walking, running and biking on Sundays. The other weekend road closure locations typically include parts of Lake Shore Boulevard West and East and Bayview Avenue. For more information please read the news release.
City of Toronto update on COVID-19 cases
As of September 14, 2020 there have been 16,942 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 69 cases from the day before, and 15,044 recovered cases. To date, there have been 1,177 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. COVID-19 case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform. The data posted to the City’s reporting plat form is update three times per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Eglinton East Priority Bus Lanes – Installation and Bus Stop Placement
On July 28, 2020, City Council unanimously approved Priority Bus Lanes along sections of Eglinton Avenue East, Kingston Road and north of Morningside Avenue to Ellesmere Road. As part of implementing the Priority Bus Lanes on Eglinton Avenue East, construction crews and vehicles will be active along the corridor from September 14 until December 31, 2020.
- Pavement Resurfacing (completed by September 18)
- Pavement Marking & Sign Installation (completed by November 30)
- Bus Stop Consolidation and Placement (Estimated: October 15-December 31)
For more information please read the Construction Notice.
Survey: Eglinton East RapidTO Corridor and Priority Bus Lanes
The TTC is currently working on the RapidTO program which will move people more efficiently on transit by improving reliability, speed and capacity on some of the busiest surface transit routes in the city through implementation of priority bus-only lanes.
The TTC is asking for your input on potential service concepts for the Eglinton East corridor, along Eglinton Avenue East, Kingston Road and Morningside Avenue and will launch in Fall 2020. The service concepts include:
Option 1 – Maintain Existing Express Stops;
Option 2 – All Stops Served by All Major Bus Routes;
Option 3 – Reduced Stops on 905 Eglinton East Express;
Option 4 – 986 Scarborough Express Diverted to Lawrence Avenue.
Please visit this LINK to fill out the survey before September 30, 2020.
Please note: If you have any questions regarding this project please contact my office at councillor_ainslie_co@toronto.ca
Toronto Transit Commission Public Forum on Accessible Transit
On October 1, 2020 from 7pm to 9pm, TTC Board members, management and staff, and members of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) will host the TTC’s first ever virtual Public Forum on Accessible Transit. This event is held annually to hear from the public about the accessibility of conventional TTC and door-to-door (Wheel-Trans) public transit services in Toronto. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we’re hosting this event online this year. Register for the 2020 Virtual Public Forum on Accessible Transit. Participate online – view the live stream or participate by phone – 416-764-8658.
Scarborough Ribfest Drive Thru
This year’s Scarborough Ribfest will be a Drive Thru event taking place on Saturday September 26 and Sunday September 27 from 11 am to 8 pm at the Centennial College Progress Campus. This is a drive-thru event only. No one will be allowed to exit their vehicles and no pedestrian traffic will be admitted. Donations to the Rotary Club of Scarborough are requested.
Best in GrowTO Contest Scarborough
Join the Scarborough Village Community Garden Harvest Festival to see the Best in GrowTO urban-style agriculture contest live and in person on September 19, 2020 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. More information on the GrowTO Contest Scarborough can be found here.
Arts in the Park: Harvest Festival
The Community Arts Guild in partnership with Scarborough Village Community Garden presents the Harvest Festival 2020. Sign up to join a physically distance parade with live music on Saturday September 19, 2020. Rehearsal is September 12 to 19. To sign up for a puppet kit, contact info@communityartsguild.ca. Check out more Arts in the Park events here.
Toronto and Region Conversation Authority’s Humber by Canoe Event
Join TRCA and follow along as they share the Humber River over the next 5 days. Today TRCA’s Emily Rondel takes us through the Humber watershed while educating us about its rich history. More details can be found here.
TDSB Connects App now available for Secondary Students
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has launched a new online app to help high school students stay connected and organized. By logging in with their TDSB school ID, their timetable is automatically populated allowing them to easily add notes, goals and details to each course. Download the app now at the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
City of Toronto Vision Zero Please Slow Down Signs
A friendly reminder to stay safe on the roads, especially while in school and residential areas. If you would like a City of Toronto Vision Zero Please Slow Down sign, please contact my office at 416-392-7222 or councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca to arrange to pick them up from my constituency office (150 Borough Drive). For more information please visit this website.
Upcoming BusinessTO Webinars and Events
- Scarborough Business Association Cyber Breakfast – Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers & Businesses of Canada | Wednesday, September 16 at 9:15 a.m. – Register
- Why Your Business Needs An Online Store – ShopHERE powered by Google Webinar Series (Free) | Thursday, September 17 at 11:30 a.m. – Register
- The digital advantage: Securing your business | Thursday, September 24, 1 – 2 p.m. – Register
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.
Check out all Scarborough-Guildwood’s past Live Town Meetings on my YouTube channel!
Scarborough-Guildwood’s Live Town Halls provide the community with up to date information, supports and resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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. Please take a moment to fill out this Community Check-In Survey!
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.
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