November 12, 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 11, 2020) There has been an increase of 500 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 164 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 33,322 cases of COVID-19, of these, 27,773 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,432 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 7 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.
Today, Ontario set another single-day record for COVID-19 cases, reporting 1,575 new cases. This week, our Medical Officer of Health announced that Toronto will be moved into the Red-Control level of the Province’s COVID-19 Response Framework with specific enhanced measures. The Toronto Public Heath Specific Enhance Measures include limiting all social gatherings to household members, eliminating private home visits, limiting trips outside of your home to essential trips only. Additionally, indoor dining remains closed, indoor group fitness glasses are closed. More information on the specific enhanced measures can be read here. While we all may be feeling anxious, worried and frustrated it is important that we all do what is necessary in order to keep ourselves and everyone around us safe.
Ontario supports military veterans experiencing homelessness. The Ontario government is providing $200,000 and supporting the transfer of one acre of land to help create up to 25 tiny homes for military veterans experiencing homelessness. The province is working in partnership with the Homes For Heroes Foundation and the City of Kingston to convert a portion of the Kingston Provincial Campus into a veterans’ village. For more information please read the news release.
City services impact your life every day. Every time you have your garbage or recycling picked up, drink clean water from the tap, or park in a Green P lot, you are using a City of Toronto service. That’s why the City’s budget is so important. The budget is a financial plan that describes how much money the City will raise and spend. It determines the level of service provided to Toronto residents and guides decisions on what City infrastructure will be built and repaired.
In addition to the tax-supported operating and capital budgets, the City has three rate supported programs: Toronto Water, Solid Waste Management Services and the Toronto Parking Authority. These programs are funded almost entirely by user fees. For example, water and garbage costs are calculated by how much water is used and the size of the garbage bin. In turn, the revenue collected from these user fees pays for the services that are provided and the infrastructure to deliver them. Learn more about the City of Toronto budget and how you can get involved at toronto.ca/budget.
Support for local restaurants with ToGoToronto. Destination Toronto’s popular dining website ToGoToronto.com lists nearly 700 Toronto restaurants and provides an easy way for you to find restaurants that are open for safe takeout or delivery. Local businesses need our support now more than ever. Support a favourite or try something new and play a part in the economic recovery of Toronto’s restaurant community.
Restaurants are invited to participate in ToGoToronto for free. Destination Toronto’s website ToGoToronto.com continues to support the economic recovery of the restaurant community, listing nearly 700 Toronto restaurants that are open for safe takeout or delivery. If you are a restaurant owner, add your restaurant to the platform for free today.
It’s time to double down on the double threat of COVID-19 and the Flu. Outbreaks are common in congregate living settings. Bot influenza (the flu) and COVID-19 are respiratory infections which can be easily transmitted within an institutional environment among residents who may be frail, older and have complex chronic health conditions. Please make arrangements for regular COVID-19 testing and to get your annual flu immunization. Long Term Care essential visitors and essential caregivers are encouraged to get the flu shot from their primary care provider or at a local pharmacy.
REMINDER: Vision Zero is hosting a Virtual Senior Safety Zone Review for Lawrence Ave E and Markham Rd TOMORROW November 13, 2020 from 2pm to 3pm. You can join by phone by calling 647-558-0588 and entering the meeting ID: 845 6710 8366# – press # when asked for participant ID or by Zoom by registering online. For more information please visit this website.
REMINDER: Parents Engaged in Education invites you to their Pre-Holiday Online Auction TOMORROW November 13, 2020 from 6pm to 9pm. Please visit this link at the time of the event to join! All proceeds will go towards supporting Canada’s First Education Bank. More information on Parents Engaged in Education can be found at www.parentsengagedineducation.ca
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.
The City of Toronto is seeking diverse residents, including from Black, Indigenous and People of Colour communities, to get involved in its boards, committees and tribunals:
- TO Live Board of Directors – Deadline: November 13
- St. Lawrence Market Precinct Advisory Committee – Deadline: November 15
- Toronto Transit Commission – Deadline: November 23
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.
People facing hunger in Toronto need our help! Toronto Miracle is inviting Toronto residents to leave a non-perishable food item on their doorstep (marked for Toronto Miracle) on December 5th at 10am. Volunteers will collect these donations and redistribute to those in need in the community. More information on how to donate or volunteer can be found at www.torontomiracle.org
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.
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 Scoop 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.
*NEW* 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.
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