October 8, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
I want to thank everyone for your efforts during these difficult times. Let us all remember that this will soon pass as we continue to keep each other safe. Our mental health is paramount, and it is important that we take care of ourselves and seek support if needed.
I cannot stress enough the serious situation at hand as COVID-19 cases in Toronto and across the province continue to rise. It is very important that we adhere to public health advice to practice physical distancing, wash hands as often as possible and to wear a mask or face covering where mandatory or when physical distancing cannot be maintained. For more information please refer to the mandatory physical distancing bylaw and the mandatory mask or face covering bylaw or www.toronto.ca/covid-19.
Thanksgiving weekend is fast approaching, please see this link for more details on planning advice, contact tracing information and more.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of October 7, 2020): There has been an increase of 284 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. Through the pandemic City has seen a total of 21,586 cases of COVID-19, of these, 17,956 cases have recovered, an increase of 258 cases from the day before. There are 89 people currently hospitalized, an increase of 13 cases from the day before. To this date, there have been 1,308 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.
New commitment to battery-electric vehicle manufacturing in Ontario. Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, announced their commitment to Ford Motor Company of Canada’s investment in its Oakville Assembly Complex. This project, valued at $1.8 billion, will include federal and provincial contributions of $295 million each. This will help secure 5,400 well-paying middle-class jobs across Ford’s production workforce in Canada and grow our green economy, especially in Southern Ontario where thousands of Canadians are employed across the auto supply chain. A repurposed battery-electric vehicle (BEV) production plant for the Oakville Assembly Complex is in line with the Government of Canada’s commitment to sustainable growth. Electrification will allow us to position the innovative Canadian automotive industry as a global leader in BEV manufacturing. More information can be read in the news release.
Ontario supporting local festivals and events. Ontario is investing $9 million through the new Reconnect Festival and Event Program to support municipalities and event organizers during COVID-19. This funding will be used to maintain public safety requirements and allow people to reconnect with their communities through online, drive-through and other innovative experiences. Organizers will be developing creative programs such as virtual Remembrance Day events, reverse holiday parades with drive-by static floats, drive-in music concerts and movies, holiday tree lightings and New Year’s Eve displays that light-up iconic buildings. More information can be read in the news release.
Economic impact of Toronto live music venues totals $850 million, providing 10,500 full time jobs. Today, Mayor John Tory and the Canadian Live Music Association, in partnership with Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area and Ontario Creates, released the results of a long-awaited Toronto venues study, Re:Venues: A Case and Path Forward for Toronto’s Live Music Industry. Among other findings, the study confirms that the total economic impact of Toronto live music venues is $850 million annually, providing the equivalent of 10,500 full-time jobs.
Conducted by Nordicity, the two-year study measured the economic and cultural impacts of Toronto’s live music venues, underscoring their importance to Toronto’s economy and highlighting the key role these establishments play in a thriving music ecosystem. The study also provides recommendations for supporting and protecting this vital sector and suggests actions for prioritizing live music as Toronto rebuilds from the COVID-19 pandemic. More information can be read in the news release.
An update on the City’s Historic Red Oak Fundraising Campaign
The mighty, 250-year-old oak at 76 Coral Gable Dr. has stood watch as Toronto has grown under the shelter of its grand canopy. Last year, the City entered into an agreement to purchase the property and establish the space as a parkette to preserve and showcase our living history. However, completion of the sale is conditional on fundraising the sum of $430,000 by December 12, 2020. Upon achieving the target, the City is committed to contributing the funds necessary to complete the sale and create a wonderful parkette.
As of October 7, 2020, $170,000 has been committed to the campaign by donors, putting us at 39 per cent to target. It’s a good start, and there are ongoing conversations with potential major donors, but time is running out and more help is needed if we’re to reach the goal by the December 12 deadline.
Any gift to the oak is a gift to the people of Toronto, one that will last for centuries to come. This is not merely about protecting a tree. It is about preserving a piece of ourselves. To donate or for further information, please visit Toronto.ca/RedOak.
Markham Rd Ramp Southbound to 401 Westbound Collectors will be closed from Thursday October 15 to Monday October 19 due to an ongoing construction project. During this closure traffic will be detoured to the McCowan ON-ramp via D-11.
Zoo to You Virtual Experiences. Looking for a fun and safe way to bring the Zoo to your own learning space? Check out Your Toronto Zoo Connections and bring the Zoo to You! Classroom Connectionz, Zoo Connectionz, Shout Outz, Educator/Parent Resources, Extended Learning and 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.
The Virtual Salmon Festival at Highland Creek. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is celebrating the Salmon Festival at Highland Creek virtually this week! TRCA has created educational and engaging videos about salmon to watch from the comfort of your own home. These videos, along with other materials is available on their website here.
Community survey for Scarborough residents: Your experiences with the Toronto Police. Native Child and Family Services of Toronto has been operating as a family support agency in Toronto for over 30 years. With recent events in mind, they would like to know more about the community’s experience with the Toronto Police. This survey is only the first step in a multi step planned community consultation process and will help us shape the rest of our strategy to obtain even more feedback from you. Please take the survey here.
TTC Concerns by A Voice for Transit Survey. 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.
2021 Annual Service Plan Survey. 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.
CafeTO Survey EXTENDED. 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 31, 2020.
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.
*NEW* 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.
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.
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