October 15, 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 14, 2020) There has been an increase of 254 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 23,572 cases of COVID-19, of these, 19,835 cases have recovered, an increase of 314 cases from the day before. There are 101 people currently hospitalized, an increase of 7 cases from the day before. To this date, there have been 1,330 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, and increase of 3 deaths from the day before. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform. Province of Ontario status of COVID-19 Cases can be found here.
Millions across Canada are now using the made-in-Ontario COVID alert app. The Ontario government is working with some of the most influential brands in Canada, including Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, to encourage more people to download the made-in-Ontario COVID Alert app and help protect people across the country from the pandemic. To support businesses large and small, the government is launching a new webpage that will provide them with the tools they need to promote the app and build on its success to-date. More information can be read in the news release.
Six City of Toronto Traffic Agents to be recommended for designation as special constables. The City of Toronto is moving ahead with its Traffic Agents program with six full-time City of Toronto Traffic Agents recommended for designation as special constables at next Thursdays’ Toronto Police Services Board meeting. Once approved and sworn in, these newly hired individuals will be designated as special constables and will be permitted to manage traffic at signalized intersections in Toronto. It’s then expected they will be fully deployed at Toronto intersections before the end of 2020.
The City Traffic Agents Program is a congestion management strategy that will place Traffic Agents, employed by the City of Toronto, at key intersections during morning and afternoon peak periods. Traffic volumes in Toronto have been lower than normal during the pandemic, however, City staff continue to observe increasing trends in traffic volumes especially during peak periods. More information can be read in the news release.
Allen Road closed and other partial closures this weekend for maintenance and improvements. The City of Toronto will perform maintenance and improvement activities on Allen Road this weekend from Friday, October 16 at 11 p.m. until Monday, October 19 at 5 a.m. The closure will extend the entire length of the roadway from Sheppard Avenue West to Eglinton Avenue West.Visit the City’s road restrictions map to help residents and visitors make travel plans. In addition, the City’s T.O. INview map shows planned capital construction work taking place across the city.
Your Toronto Zoo received the highest honour from Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) for education program design. In 2019, the overall environmental sustainability program theme for your Toronto Zoo was #EveryActionCounts. This encompassed a broad number of sustainability programs and included a temporary exhibit called Washed Ashore – Art To Save The Sea. CAZA has recognized the #EveryActionCounts program for outstanding achievement and innovation in education program design that enhances conservation knowledge and/or promotes positive conservation attitudes and behaviour. More information can be read here.
The City of Toronto is developing a Cricket Strategy to support the growth of cricket. Join a virtual public meeting on October 26 to learn more about the Strategy, ask the project team questions and share your ideas for growing the sport. Find more information on the project and how to register for the meeting here.
Park People has created a webinar series to directly address questions faced about the future of city parks. In the series you’ll learn about park-based solutions to address the urgent and immediate needs arising out of COVID-19 and parks’ role in creating a more inclusive and sustainable future. More information can be found here.
The Good Neighbour Project is in need of additional volunteers for many positions within their network. Learn more about the positions available here.
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&A 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! Book tickets here.
Have Your Say: Toronto’s Recovery and Rebuild Strategy. On October 21, me and my colleagues on the Executive Committee will be discussing the report by the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild (TORR) on the City’s pandemic recovery plan. You can review the report here.
To submit your comments or request to speak, click the buttons at the top of the agenda item “Submit Comments” or “Request to Speak”. Alternatively you can email the City Clerk at exc@toronto.ca, write in the subject “My comments for 2020.EX17.1 on October 21, 2020 Executive Committee,” and write your comments for public record or request to speak. IMPORTANT: Please copy me on your email as well, councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca.
Community survey for Scarborough residents: Your experiences with the Toronto Police. Native Child and Family Services of Toronto 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.
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.
*NEW* 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