October 13, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
As we continue to witness the rise COVID-19 cases in Toronto and across the province, 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.
Be sure to put your social bubbles or circles on hold. It is advised that everyone allow close contact only with people living in their own households and maintain physically distanced from everyone else. 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.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of October 12, 2020): There has been an increase of 258 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 23,061 cases of COVID-19, of these, 19,212 cases have recovered, an increase of 258 cases from the day before. There are 103 people currently hospitalized, an increase of 7 cases from the day before. To this date, there have been 1,327 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 8 deaths since the day before. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.
Canada Emergency Benefit Updates: Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) will provide simple and easy to access rent and mortgage support until June 2021 for qualifying organizations. The program would subsidize 65% of eligible expenses until December 19, 2020. Organizations would be able to make claims retroactively for the period that began September 27 and ends October 24, 2020; Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) has been extended to June 2021. The current subsidy rate will remain the same until December 19, 2020; and theCanada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) has been extended to December 31, 2020, making the program accessible longer to Canadians.
Modified Stage 2 restrictions for Toronto Ottawa and Peel regions are now in effect. These measures were set in place as a result of higher than average rates of COVID-19 transmission. These measures include setting social gathering and organized public event limits at 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, prohibit indoor food and drink service in restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, limit capacity for certain activities, prohibit games and scrimmages for sports teams and more. The new regulations will be in place for at least 28 days. More details on these new measures can be found in the news release.
Over the long weekend the City enforcement team (Bylaw Enforcement, Toronto Public Health and Toronto Police Service) proactively conducted compliance checks on establishments across the city. Toronto Public Heath conducted 46 inspections, issued 16 warning letters and laid 2 charges for non-compliance with the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA). The City received 30 complaints for large gatherings ranging from more than 10 people to up to 60 people, 11 warning letters and 2 charges were issued. Let us keep in mind the revised stage 2 restrictions on social gathering limits, noted above. More information can be read in the news release.
City of Toronto launches a call to action against East Asian Racism. The City has launched a social media campaign to bring attention to the need to combat racism in our city, including anti-East Asian racism. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in incidents of racism against all East Asian communities in Toronto. Racial harassment/discrimination against East Asians can occur through stereotyping and overt prejudice, or in more subconscious, subtle and subversive ways.
Torontonians of East Asian descent contribute to the economic and cultural fabric of the city. Diverse cultures and communities such as these have helped create Toronto’s identity as a vibrant, global city. Information and resources to educate Torontonians about anti-East Asian racism are available on the campaign website.
Toronto Public Health Modified Stage 2 Announcement: The public health regulations implemented recently by the Ontario government in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Regions include a range of additional restrictions affecting indoor dining, gyms, cinemas and other venues, as well as reduced limits on social gatherings. At this time, no additional restrictions have been announced for public libraries, beyond the measures that TPL already has in place. They continue to monitor changes in public health regulations, and should the need arise, we will adjust library services accordingly to ensure the safety of our staff and library customers.
St. Marks United Church Drive-In Community Food Drive is taking place this Saturday October 17th from 1PM to 3PM at St. Marks United Church (115 Orton Park Rd). Drop off is in the church parking lot. Items collected will be delivered to local food banks. View this post for more information.
Social Assistance Coalition of Scarborough (SACS) is hosting a Virtual Q &N on Social Assistance Update – COVID-19 for ODSP Recipients (ONLY) on Thursday October 29, 2020 from 6pm to 8pm. To register please visit this website and submit your questions in advanced to sacs.communitygroup@gmail.com by October 26, 2020.
Guild Park Photo Scavenger Hunt! Visit the Guild Park and look out for the five distinct features listed here. The deadline for the Guild Park Scavenger Hunt entries is 5pm on Monday October 19, 2020.
Your Toronto Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo! Boo at the Zoo is a family-friendly Halloween event with plenty of spook-tacular holiday fun planned. Visit the zoo until October 31st to see all of their fall décor and to stop by their Hay-lloween Town special exhibit at their Savanna Picnic Site.
Check out Your Toronto Zoo’s new drive-thru BOOmobile! Turn your automobile into your very own BOOmobile! Due to new COVID-19 restrictions, their regular BOOmobile looks a little different this year, but you can enjoy the experience from the safety and comfort of your OWN vehicle! Bok tickets 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.
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.
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