October 5, 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!
Today October 5th is World Teachers’ Day! Today we honour all teachers who educate, guide and mentor students. The City of Toronto recognizes the contributions of our teachers, especially teachers adapting to various teaching methods during this pandemic. Their dedication and hard work help to enrich the lives of their students on a daily basis.
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 4, 2020: There has been an increase of 301 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. Through the pandemic City has seen a total of 20,941 cases of COVID-19, of these, 17,246 cases have recovered, an increase of 222 cases from the day before. There are 77 people currently hospitalized, an increase of 8 cases from the day before. To this date, there have been 1,305 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 3 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.
Scarborough Health Network COVID-19 Update: New Assessment Centre & Appointment-Based Testing
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise and drive demand for COVID-19 testing, Scarborough Health Network is opening a third assessment centre at their General Hospital located at 3050 Lawrence Ave E.
Appointment-based testing came into effect TODAY, October 5th. This will provide certainty to patients as to when they can receive a test during the cold winter months and allow assessment centres to conduct enhanced screening. You can preregister for your appointment online or by calling 416-495-2601. Find more information on location and hours of operation online here.
Ontario releases $35 million to hire more staff, improve remote learning in targeted communities
Today, the Ontario government announced the allocation of $35 million to provide additional immediate school board supports in the communities of Peel, Ottawa, Toronto and York Region to enhance public health measures and protection strategies as they confront higher rates of transmission in their communities.
This funding is part of the government’s robust and comprehensive $1.3 billion plan to safely reopen classrooms across the province, including additional resources to help school boards hire more staff, keep class sizes low, and enhance cleaning in schools. More information can be read in the news release.
Half Mast Notification for the late Rt. Hon. John Turner, 17th Prime Minister of Canada
All flags on official flag poles will be flown at half-mast until the close of business day on Tuesday October 6th to mark the passing of the late Rt. Hon. John Turner. More information about the State Funeral and commemorations may be found here.
Toronto Zoo: Thanksgiving Zoo Connections
Bring the Zoo to You this Thanksgiving with Zoo Connections. Invite your favourite animal to be part of your Thanksgiving dinner with one of Your Toronto Zoo’s Virtual Meet and Greet or bring the family together and go on a virtual tour of the Zoo. Learn more at www.torontozoo.com/zootoyou
Youthlink’s YAC Presents: Virtual Paint Night Fundraiser
Youthlink’s YAC members present a virtual paint night fundraiser, raising donations for platforms within the black community. The fundraise will be held on Wednesday October 21, 2020 from 6PM to 8PM online. There is a fee of $10.00. More information and how to register can be found here.
Water Source – Not Down the Drain
Do you know what can and can’t go down your drain? Putting the wrong things down your pipes can cause basement flooding; pollute streams, rivers and the Lak; and clog City pipes resulting in expensive repairs. Find out more at www.toronto.ca/notdownthedrain
The Virtual Salmon Festival at Highland Creek
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 their website starting TODAY October 5, 2020. Learn more here.
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.
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