November 20, 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. For information on COVID-19 community supports please visit this link.
I know many of you may feel worried and frustrated regarding the announcement of Toronto moving into Lockdown, but I am certain that we can all do the right thing in order keep ourselves and those around us safe. Please remember to practice physical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. Residents are asked to stay home as much as possible, to limit contact with people not in the same household, consider only leaving home for essential activities and to remain at home when ill.
Toronto Public Health will be moved into the Lockdown-Grey level of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework on November 23, 2020 at 12:01am along with Peel Regional Health Unit. Measures under Lockdown include, but are not limited to:
- No indoor gatherings, except with members of the same household.
- Outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people.
- Retail is permitted to be open for curbside pick-up or delivery only with the exception of groceries, pharmacies, hardware stores, liquor stores.
- Restaurants, bars and food and drink establishments will only be able to provide take out drive, through and delivery.
- Personal care services closed.
- Indoor sports and recreation facilities are closed.
I encourage you to read the Lockdown-Grey level guidelines and the province’s news release for more information.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of November 19, 2020) There has been an increase of 420 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 174 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 36,821 cases of COVID-19, of these, 30,838 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,515 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.
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
November 20th is Transgender Day of Remembrance. We have raised the Transgender Pride flag at City Hall to recognize this important day.
The City of Toronto will more than double its supply of winter park washrooms from 64 to 143 as part of its ongoing response to COVID-19.City staff are presenting a plan and report to November City Council that will add 79 new winter washrooms across the city on top of the 64 locations typically available. The report comes in response to a request by City Council last month to explore expanding the number of public washrooms available throughout the winter. More information can be read in the news release.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is proud to celebrate the launch of its film, “Building A Better Future”, produced by BBC StoryWorks. The intention of ‘Building a Better Future’ was to look at case studies and projects occurring within organizations that translate rhetoric into action. By shining a light on the most interesting examples of best practice from across the sector, the series hopes to increase awareness and understanding, and drive change in the ways in which buildings are designed, built and operated. More information can be read in the news release.
Scarborough Business Association will be hosting its Annual General Meeting & 5th Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday November 25th from 6:30pm to 8pm. The event will be opened by Mayor John Tory. Join to network with fellow business leaders, connect, share and engage without leaving th comfort of your own home. To register please visit this link.
December 1st is Giving Tuesday! Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is an important time for us to come together, empower each other and rally for favourite causes. Join Scarborough Health Network Foundation – and other causes from across Canada and around the world – on December 1 and give a gift that will help shape the future of care for patients and their families. More information and how to make your gift early, please visit this link.
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.
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, please view the dedicated page and participate by using the Ask-A-Question box, please visit this link.
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
Toronto District School Board Open Houses and Information Sessions will be hosted virtually for parents, guardians and students between November and January. Learn everything you need to know about an incredible variety of schools, programs and courses. Sessions are held live or pre-recorded. Details on TDSB schools, open houses and information sessions can be found here.
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.
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. 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
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.
Toronto District School Board Update
Check out the latest issue HERE.
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