September 16, 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.
Ontario launches new COVID-19 screening tool to help protect students and staff
The Ontario government launched a new voluntary interactive screening tool to assist parents, students and staff with the daily assessment of COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors that is required before attending school. The results will let parents, students, and education staff know whether they should attend school each day or guide at-risk individuals to proper resources. This tool is another layer of prevention that the province is using to protect the health and safety of students, staff, and the communities where they live and work. For more information please read the news release.
City of Toronto supporting further action to confront COVID-19 resurgence
This morning, Mayor John Tory and other senior members of the City of Toronto COVID-19 response team met with Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa to discuss what public health measures would be effective in helping push back against the COVID-19 resurgence.
During today’s City’s COVID-19 media update, Mayor Tory outlined Toronto Public Health’s advice based on the current COVID-19 cases being investigated by health officials:
- Reduce the social gatherings limits
- Enhance enforcement on existing restrictions
- Expand the mandatory mask requirements
Mayor Tory indicated that over the coming days, the City will be moving to act on all three of these areas – some which will require cooperation with our partners in the provincial government. For more information please read the news release.
City of Toronto staff report recommends a public consultation and next steps on renaming Dundas Street and other public assets
A City of Toronto staff report going before Executive Committee on September 23 provides recommendations, which includes a public consultation, on the City’s response to the petition to rename Dundas Street and address other civic assets with the Dundas name.
The petition was created following global discussions on racial injustices, inequality and anti-Black racism, which led the public to scrutinize the origins and history of monuments, street names, parks and buildings across Toronto. The petition objects to the street’s namesake, Scottish politician Henry Dundas, who was involved in delaying the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, causing more than half a million more Black people to be enslaved in the British Empire.
The report recommends the City host public consultations on the renaming of Dundas Street and on future street namings and renamings, monumental removals and additions, reinterpretations and revocations and report back to Executive Committee in the first quarter of 2021. For more information please read the news release.
City of Toronto update on COVID-19 cases
As of September 15, 2020 there have been 17,028 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 86 cases from the day before, and 15,089 recovered cases. To date, there have been 1,178 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 platform is update three times per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
City of Toronto Fall 2020 General Programs
Check out the Fall 2020 general programs at Scarborough Village Recreation Centre and Cedarbrook Community Centre below:
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 check out “A Personal Connection with the Humber,” members of the Humber Heritage Committee and the Regional Watershed Alliance reminisce about the past and reveal what they value most about the Humber River. More details can be found here.
Upcoming BusinessTO Webinars and Events
- 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
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
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.
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.
Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Scoop
Check out the ESBGC latest Bi-Weekly School HERE. Subscribe HERE.
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. 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,