November 5, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
As we continue to fight against of COVID-19, it is very important that we continue to take steps for self-protection, including, practicephysical distancing, wash hands as often as possible, wear a mask or face covering where mandatory or when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Please consider only leaving home for essential activities such as work, education and fresh air and exercise. Residents are asked to limit contact with people not in the same household and to remain at home when ill.
Getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from the flu. It is especially important this year to help protect our healthcare system during the fight against COVID-19. Learn more about the flu online at www.toronto.ca/flu and book your flu shot appointment at www.tphbookings.ca
#GetYourPoppy and show your support this month! Wearing a Poppy honours the memory of our veterans and their ultimate sacrifice. In addition to traditional poppy boxes – which will be available at over 25,000 locations across Canada – keep an eye out for the Royal Canadian Legion’s new tap enabled Poppy boxes!
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of November 4, 2020) There has been an increase of 373 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 30,316 cases of COVID-19, of these, 25,541 cases have recovered, an increase of 413 cases from the day before. There are 157 people currently hospitalized. To this date, there have been 1,396 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an 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.
The Province of Ontario is investing nearly $1 billion to expand and improve broadband and cellular access. The Ontario government is making a historic investment of nearly $1 billion over six years to improve and expand broadband and cellular access across the province. $680 million announced today is on top of the $315 million to support Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan. The funding will be used to for shovel-ready projects starting in 2019-20, will create jobs, and connect unserved and underserved communities during COVID-19 and beyond. More information can be read in the news release.
On Monday, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration opened the Better Living Centre (BLC) as part of its winter services plan to help those experiencing homelessness. The site is just one location in a larger winter plan that will provide approximately 560 additional spaces between November and April through a combination of shelter and 24-hour respite site spaces, hotel rooms and supportive housing units. Additional space and street outreach will also be activated during Extreme Cold Weather Alerts. Read the Backgrounder for more on the winter plan.
City of Toronto proclaimed November 5 to 11 as Remembrance Week in Toronto. Remembrance week is a time when Torontonians can reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and honour all Canadians who have fought and continue to fight for peace. This year, Remembrance Day commemorations will be held virtually in keeping with public health advice against in-person gatherings due to the CoVID-19 pandemic. The City’s virtual commemorations will focus on the diversity of Toronto’s participation in times of war and significant milestones, as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World Ward and 100 years of marking Remembrance Day with a public ceremony. Commemorative activities planned for Remembrance Day can be found online.
The 2021 staff-recommended rate-supported operating and capital budgets will launch at tomorrow’s Budget Committee. The City of Toronto has three rate-supported programs funded through user fees: Toronto Water, Solid Waste Management Services and the Toronto Parking Authority. Budget Committee will review the staff-recommended budgets and hear public deputations on November 23. Toronto City Council will then consider the budgets for final approval at its meeting on December 16. More information on how to get involved is available at toronto.ca/budget.
The City of Toronto and Infrastructure Ontario have issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) for the George Street Revitalization project, which will reinvent the northernmost block of George Street (between Dundas Street East and Gerrard Street East). George Street Revitalization, part of the City’s Downtown East Action Plan, will be the catalyst for a safer and more vibrant community for all in the heart of the historic Garden District. More information can be read in the news release.
Boys’ and Girls Club of East Scarborough Remembrance Day Event 2020 will take place on November 11, 2020 from 10:45am to 11:05am via zoom. This Remembrance Day event will include a moment of silence, a video tribute, and a poem reading by myself. Please see this flyer for more information and how to join.
Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Holiday Help Program registration is officially open! The Holiday Help program supports families who require some additional help with gifts for their children between the ages of birth to 16 years. For more information and how to register please visit this website.
Discover magic of the holiday season with Your Toronto Zoo’s NEW Holiday Marketplace. Beginning November 20th, visit the Zoo’s first courtyard and enjoy amazing producers processors and artisans from our community. More information can be found here. Please note timed-tickets are required.
Vision Zero is hosting a Virtual Senior Safety Zone Review for Lawrence Ave E and Markham Rd on Friday November 13, 2020 from 2pm to 3pm. You can join by phone or computer! For more information and how to register please visit this website.
The Knights of Columbus is hosting a Community Food Drive on Saturday November 14, 2020 from 9am to 12pm in the parking lot of St. Boniface Church (142 Markham Rd). This will be a drive-through event observing appropriate COVID-19 protocols (face masks and coverings, sanitizer, physical distancing). Members of the Knights of Columbus will take donations from the trunk of your car, so you will not have to leave your vehicle. The food items will then be delivered to their community Food Bank. Thank you in advance to all who are able to participate.
Community-Based Crisis Response Model Development Survey. The City of Toronto is looking to re-imagine ways of responding to crisis calls that are collaborative, innovative and grounded in community needs and desires. To do this, the City wants to understand your priorities for what a community-based crisis response could look like. Complete this online survey before November 9, 2020.
The City hosting a number of Community Roundtables with residents and service providers across Toronto that started October 19 and run until November 13. These roundtables are topic-specific, and residents interested in joining should visit the website for details.
The Toronto BIA Office is now accepting applications for Stream 6 of the BIA Innovation Fund. Awards range from $5000 to $25000. Finding is Limited. Descriptions of projects previously funded under the program can be found here, along with feature stories. Special consideration will be given to projects that address economic support and recovery in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Deadline to apply is Thursday December 10th, 2020 4:30pm. Apply NOW.
Upcoming BusinessTO Webinars and Online Events
- Ask the Expert – Legal Advice for Businesses (Free) | Friday, November 6, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Register
- Wave 2 & What You Need to Know Now: Scarborough Health Network’s Response to COVID in Our Community – Scarborough Business Association Cyber Breakfast | Wednesday, November 10, 9:15 – 10 a.m. – Register
- Business AdviceTO – Cleantech North: Resilience and Recovery | Thursday, November 19, 4 – 5 p.m. – Register
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 – like and subscribe for more meetings and videos! 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. Fall TPL live and online programming is available online.
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