October 2, 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 mandatory mask or face covering bylaw!
Tonight, marks the beginning of Sukkot for the Jewish Community! I would like to wish all those celebrating a Chag Sameach!
City of Toronto update on COVID-19
Social circles or bubbles are to be paused. It is advised that everyone allow close contact only with people living in their own household and maintain two metres physically distanced from everyone else.
As the virus continues to circulate in the community, it is vital that we are all reminded to adhere to Toronto Public Heath’s advice to practise physical distancing, wash hands often and wear a mask or face covering where mandatory or when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Toronto Public Health also encourages residents to download the COVID Alert app, which can help notify individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 in the community.
Data as of October 1, 2020: There has been an increase of 311 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. Through the pandemic City has seen a total of 20,180 cases of COVID-19, of these, 16,672 cases have recovered, an increase of 236 cases from the day before. There are 72 people currently hospitalized, an increase of 3 cases from the day before. To this date, there have been 1,262 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 2 deaths from the day before. These totals include 73 cases, 78 deaths and 8 hospitalizations due to data cleaning. These totals include 73 cases, 78 deaths and 8 hospitalizations due to data cleaning.Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.
Today’s Provincial announcement on new COVID-19 public health and testing measures
In response to the second wave of COVID-19 and in preparation for the cold winter months, the Ontario government is tightening public health measures and taking action to reduce testing turnaround times while prioritizing those who are at the greatest risk.
New Measures for Testing:
- Transitioning to appointment-based testing at Ontario assessment centres beginning Tuesday, October 6, 2020;
- Beginning Sunday, October 4, 2020, assessment centres will discontinue walk-in testing services;
- Continue mobile and pop-up testing centres;
- Expanding the number of pharmacies that can provide COVID-19 tests; and
- Implementing updated testing guidance for children to help parents determine when it is most appropriate to seek a test for COVID-19.
Ontario updated COVID-19 testing guidelines can be found here.
The following measures come into effect TOMORROW. October 3, 2020 at 12:01am.
New PROVINCE-WIDE Public Health Measures:
- Mandating the use of face coverings in all public indoor settings across the province, such as businesses, facilities, and workplaces.
New Public Heath Measures targeted to TORONTO, OTTAWA, and PEEL:
- Setting an indoor capacity limit to restrict occupancy at restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments (including nightclubs) to the number of patrons who can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other patron, to a maximum of 100 patrons, permitting no more than six patrons per table, requiring operators to ensure patrons lining up or congregating outside of their establishment maintain physical distancing, and mandating that the name and contact information for each patron be collected;
- Restricting group exercise classes at gyms and other fitness settings to 10 individuals, as well as restricting the total number of people allowed at these facilities to a maximum of 50; and
- Setting a limit on the number of people allowed at meeting and event facilities, including banquet halls, to six people per table and 50 people per facility.
More information can be read in the news release.
Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health recommends the Province take immediate action to stop the further spread of COVID-19
The number of COVID-19 cases in Toronto continues to increase, with the city at risk of experiencing exponential growth of COVID-19 infections. The seven-day moving average of COVID-19 cases, starting on September 1, was 40. On September 17, it was 84, and on September 29, it was 236 – an almost six-fold increase.
Dr. de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, has outlined concerns of immediate health risks to the public if quick and decisive action is not taken, in a letter to Dr. David Williams, Province of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. The following public health measure recommendations, then, were made to the Province today:
- Restaurants and Bars: Prohibiting indoor dining. The City has explored two alternatives to this restriction, such as requiring individuals to only dine in with members of their household, or restricting indoor dining in areas of Toronto where case counts are highest. Dr. de Villa, however, does not believe that such measures will be either enforceable or effective.
- General Public: Individuals to only leave their homes for essential trips. Drawing on experience from other jurisdictions, as well as the City’s own successful experience in controlling transmission during the first wave of COVID-19, Dr. de Villa recommends that people only leave their homes for essential activities, such as work, education, exercise and fitness, healthcare appointments and the purchase of food. Up to two individuals from outside a household would be permitted to provide social support if an individual lives alone.
- Recreation, Sports and Gyms: All indoor group classes in gyms and indoor sports team activities to be discontinued.
- Managing Public Health Measures in Large Venues: Require a plan be submitted to Toronto Public Health demonstrating how these venues will comply with public health measures, such as seating that ensures physical distancing and a method to collect individual contact information. Dr. de Villa has concerns about exposures and outbreaks in large venues, some of which can have a capacity of more than 100. She also expressed concerns about the current regulations that allow for 30 per cent capacity in these venues.
More information can be read in the news release. Dr. Eileen de Villa’s full letter to Dr. David Williams can be found here.
Your Toronto Zoo’s Baby Red Panda has a name!
Your Toronto Zoo is excited to announce that our endangered female red panda cub, affectionately known as Baby Red, has a name! With over 7,000 people voting in the “Help Us Name Our Baby Red Panda” promotion, one name has emerged as your favourite. introducing, Adira! Adira, meaning strong, was chosen through online voting from a list of four preselected names. Watch the name reveal here.
REMINDER: Knights of Columbus Pre-Thanksgiving Community Food Drive
Please join me this Saturday, October 3rd, 9am to 12pm, at the Knights of Columbus Pre-Thanksgiving Community Food Drive! I am also pleased to have Mayor John Tory join us at 9am! Please see event details below:
Date & Time: Saturday October 3rd, 2020 | 9AM to 12PM
Location: St. Martin de Porres Church, 4179 Lawrence Ave E
Notes: This event is a drive through event. All community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items which will be delivered to community Food Banks. This is a drive through event where COVID-19 protocols will be observed.
Readers’ Choice Awards Now Open
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards are NOW OPEN! There are many different categories to vote in for. Voting closes on October 4th, 2020. Visit this LINK to cast your votes.
The Salmon Festival at Highland Creek is going virtual!
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is celebrating the Salmon Festival at Highland Creek virtually this year! TRCA has created educational and engaging videos about salmon to watch from the comfort of your own home. These videos, along with other materials will be available on our website starting October 5, 2020. Learn more here.
Scarborough East After School Program for Children and Youth
This is an online and free program which include activities such as: interactive online activities, homework help and tutoring, arts and crafts, and leadership skills development and more. This program starts on October 6th, 2020, held on Tuesdays to Thursdays from 4:30pm to 6PM via Zoom. To sign up please visit this link.
Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough: FREE Winter Clothing Drive
The Youth Department at Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough is preparing a Winter Clothing Drive for the residents at Lido Motel at 4674 Kingston Road on Wednesday October 7, 2020 from 3PM to 6PM.
They are asking for donations of gently used clothing and shoes. Winter jackets and sweaters are mostly needed. Items can be dropped off at 100 Galloway Rd. If you require items to be picked up, please email efranklyn@esbgc.ca to make arrangements. Thank you in advance.
Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Virtual Annual General Meeting
The Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough is hosting their virtual AGM on Thursday October 8, 2020 from 7PM to 8:30PM. Join to have the opportunity to hear about, and vote on, the business and events of the Club over 2019. More information and details on registration can be found here. Be sure to register by October 6, 2020.
Survey: TTC Concerns by A Voice for Transit
A Voice for Transit is a transit advocacy group composed of current Ryerson University students and alumni. The TTC is conducting stakeholder consultations to help shape their 2021 Annual Services Plan. A Voice for Transit wants to represent your concerns. Take their survey HERE.
Survey: 2021 Annual Service Plan
The TTC is preparing its 2021 Annual Service Plan and wants your feedback! Three main categories they would like your feedback on: Emerging priorities for 2021: Express bus service evaluation and expansion; and other service improvements. Visit this LINK to take the survey.
Survey: CaféTO
We want your feedback on CaféTO! We need your input on possible changes, improvements, and other supports for the program. Please take a few minutes to fill it out and share. Please visit this LINK to fill out the survey by October 12, 2020.
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 416-396-7222 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.
City of Toronto Waste Wizard
The City of Toronto’s Waste Wizard helps you find out what waste items go where! You can visit the Waste Wizard online or download the TOwaste app.
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.
*NEW* 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
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 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: 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