November 17, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
I want to thank everyone for their efforts during these difficult times. Let us all remember COVID-19 will hopefully be stopped, but we all must continue to keep following the mandated rules. We also need to remember, our mental health is paramount, and it is important we take care of ourselves and seek support if needed. Everyone must practicephysical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. 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.
In response to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, the Ontario government updated the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework by lowering the threshold of each level. Toronto Public Health is now in the Red-Control level with additional specific enhanced measures. Please read the Province’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework for the full list of public health region classifications and guidelines. Information on the City of Toronto specific enhanced measures can be found here.
Yesterday, Dr. de Villa provided an update on the impacts of public health measures. Following the implementation of modified Stage 2 measures, certain neighbourhoods with alarmingly heightened case rates – particularly where there is a high density of bars and restaurants – saw case rates per 100,000 population drop.
Toronto Public Health has now partnered with York University to further study if public health measures are yielding desired results. A transmission dynamics model has been developed for COVID-19 that shows how different public health measures have impacted the average number of contacts between people. Researchers found the average number of person-to-person contact was reduced from seven during the period following Stage 3 reopening, to less than five after reverting to a modified Stage 2. This decline in combination with other measures for self-protection, has the potential to lower COVID-19 case counts. For more information please read the news release.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of November 16, 2020) There has been an increase of 559 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 181 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 35,665 cases of COVID-19, of these, 29,431 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,468 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 4 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.
Are you looking to get tested for COVID-19? Drop by Scarborough Health Network’s next COVID-19 Pop-up Assessment Centre at Global Kingdom Ministries, located at 1250 Markham Road on Thursday November 19 from 9am to 4pm. For more information on future dates and locations please visit www.shn.ca/covid19-popup
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
The Ontario government is providing over $37 million to significantly expand mental health services across the justice system. The funding will be used to expand mobile crisis teams across the province, hire additional staff, and support the creation of tailored programs for First Nations communities. This is part of the government’s $176 million investment this year in the Roadmap to Wellness, Ontario’s plan to build a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions system. It is also a key component of Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover. For more information please read the news release.
Scarborough’s New View Photo Contest awards ceremony takes place TONIGHT November 17 from 6pm to 7pm on Facebook and YouTube live. The photo contest, in partnership with Scarborough Arts, received more than 3,700 entries from new and experienced photographers who captured photos of people, places and things in Scarborough. The photo contest was led by Scarborough Arts with support from the City of Toronto, the Ontario Arts Council, and XVXY Photo.
Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Public Information Centre #3. The purpose of the Public Information Centre is to present and seek feedback on the preliminary design and results of the technical studies, including potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures. The Public Information Centre #3 will run until Friday December 18, 2020. For more information and to participate please visit this link.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Senior Safety Zone Workshop on Markham Road and Lawrence Avenue East last Friday November 13th. For those who were unable to attend this session, The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) Clean Air Partnership is still accepting feedback. Please contact YVerlinden@cleanairpartnership.org to have your input heard on making your community a safer place.
The Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Holiday Help Program is now accepting various forms of donations. Donate essential daily items, toys, non-perishables, and/or monetary donations. All donations are asked to be dropped off at their main site, 100 Galloway Rd, no later than Friday December 4th, 2020. More information on how to participate in the Holiday Help Program can be found here. If you have any questions please contact 416-281-0262 or email info@esbgc.ca.
Create a pollinator garden and help native pollinators from the threats of climate change, habitat loss, and other stressors. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support community-led initiatives that result in the creation or expansion of pollinator habitat on public and private lands in Toronto. A priority will be placed on funding projects in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.
The deadline to apply for the City’s PollinateTO Community Grant is January 8, 2021. The gardens will be planted in 2021. More information about the PollinateTO Community Grants is available at www.toronto.ca/PollinateTO
Sign up for SBA’s After 5- Virtual Networking Magic event TOMORROW November 18, 2020! You’ll meet new business community members, find opportunities, discover keys to success, share and learn. For more information and to sign up please visit this link.
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.
TransformTO Update: Climate action for a healthy, equitable, prosperous Toronto.
Check out their latest update 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.
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