Month: December 2020

December 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. For information on COVID-19 community supports please visit this link.

Toronto is in the Grey-Lockdown level of restrictions in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework – From November 23 to December 21. Remember to practicephysical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. Residents are asked to limit contact with people not in the same household and to stay home as much as possible.

To help residents understand the Grey-Lockdown category measures, the City has created a Do and Don’t guide. This guide communicates what is – and what is not – permitted under the province’s lockdown stage, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

As the holidays are fast approaching, I’d like to remind everyone to practice public health advice on how to protect yourself and loved ones this holiday season, more information please read the City’s COVID-19 Holiday Guide online.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of December 16, 2020) There has been an increase of 794 COVID-19 cases in the City with 296 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 51,495 cases of COVID-19, of these, 44,001 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,751 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 10 fatal case since 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. 

This week, the Province of Ontario delivered its first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Toronto’s University Health Network and The Ottawa Hospital. If you have any questions about the new COVID-19 vaccine on how it works or who can get it, please visit the City’s new COVID-19 vaccine webpage for the latest facts to keep you informed.

Scarborough Health Network is offering walk-in Pop-up COVID-19 Assessment Centres in the community between 9am – 4pm on December 18 at Scarborough Village Recreation Centre (3600 Kingston Road). More information on SHN’s COVID-19 Pop-up Assessment Centre is available at www.shn.ca/covid19-popup.

The City of Toronto opened its four Warming Centres last night to help those experiencing homelessness. Spaces are offered at 129 Peter St, 5800 Yonge St, Exhibition Place, Better Living Centre, 190 Prince’s Blvd and Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr. These Warming Centres are scheduled to remain open, 24/7 until Friday December 18 at noon. More information can be read in this news release.

The City of Toronto is cancelling all planned 2020 holiday CampTO camps and winter instructional programs due to COVID-19. This decision follows recommendations from Toronto Public Health and the City’s Medical Officer of Health while Toronto remains in the Grey-Lockdown category. The City is issuing refunds automatically to all current camp and Learn-to-Skate registrants. While registrants do not need to request a refund, they can contact pfrcustomerservice@toronto.ca with any questions. More information can be read in the news release.

Toronto City Council approved an implementation plan for a tax on vacant homes in Toronto starting in 2022. A vacant home tax aims to increase the housing supply by encouraging homeowners to sell or rent their unoccupied home – and, if they choose to continue to keep the home vacant, a tax is levied. This revenue can then be used to fund affordable housing projects. More information can be read in the news release.

Toronto City Council has approved the 2021 rate-supported operating and capital budgets for Toronto Water, Toronto Parking Authority and Solid Waste Management Services. The approved budgets maintain current service levels and make critical investments in infrastructure while reducing planned rate increases to just 1.5 per cent. The 2021 operating and capital budgets have been developed with the guiding principles of addressing financial challenges that have been created by COVID-19, prioritizing initiatives that will support economic restart and recovery efforts, and embedding equity by finding opportunities to make the city more fair and livable for those who live and work here. More information can be read in the news release.

Canadian South Asian Growth & Support Services (CSAGSS) announces its FREE GOOD-FOOD BOX initiative! For those in need, starting December 29^th, CSAGSS will be providing free boxes of food to those all over Scarborough. The first 300 to register will be eligible to pick up bi-weekly boxes from either of CSAGSS’ two locations, 50 Tuxedo Court or 90 Mornelle Court. For registration information, please see this link.

It’s almost that time of year again! TDSB Alternative Schools (JK-12) are hosting their Open Houses and accepting student applications for the 2021-2022 school year. Did you know there are 40 different TDSB Alternative Schools? All of them are free and open to any Toronto resident. TDSB Alternative Schools are a great option when students and their families want something a little different from their traditional elementary and/or secondary public school. Learn more about the TDSB Alternative Schools via their Quick Reference Guide, List of Alternative Schools, and details on TDSB Open Houses.

IllumiNATION is a virtual celebration of lights across Canada. From TONIGHT, December 17 at 8pm to Thursday January 7,2021. The virtual show takes you on a magical cross-Canada journey that will amaze young and old alike. IllumiNATION will premiere TONIGHT, December 17 at 8 p.m. on Canadian Heritage’s website.

The 2020 Virtual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Guild Park and Gardens is LIVE on their Facebook Page! Enjoy a 16-minute holiday program of greetings, Christmas songs, photos of past Christmases at the Guild park plus a special visit from Santa to light Guild Park’s Christmas Tree. Visit www.facebook.com/GuildPark to watch!

Holiday Fair in the Square goes virtual this holiday season. The Holiday Fair in the Square Virtual Marketplace is a one-stop-shop for all your holiday shopping needs. Shoppers can browse through a wide selection of vendors who each host their own individual business page to find a huge variety of unique holiday gifts and products this season. Visit the Holiday Fair in the Square Virtual Marketplace online for more information.

Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery Holiday Market is opening from December 1 to 24 for Online show and sale. Purchase one of a kind gifts from artists and crafts makers of Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery. For more information please visit www.cedarridgestudiogallery.com/collections/holiday-market

The 43 Division and CPLC will be accepting new unwrapped toys from now until Christmas for the 43 Division Auxiliary Police Toy Drive. All toys will be distributed within the 43 Division community. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk of 43 Division, located at 4331 Lawrence Avenue East.

The Rotary Club of Scarborough’s fundraiser “Rotary Tree of Remembrance” is happening from December 12^th to 24^th, where you can support their efforts by buying a ribbon and writing the name of a loved one or a front-line worker on it, to be hung at the tree at the front yard of the Church of the Holy Trinity Guildwood (85 Livingston Road). Ribbons will be available for purchase at stores in the Guildwood Plaza including Guildwood IDA, Muddy Paws, Subway, Valu-Mart Ace’s Place, and Church of the Holy Trinity. More information can be found here.

The Church of the Holy Trinity Guildwood is hosting a free online Christmas concert this Friday December 18^th at 7pm. This concert will feature some of Toronto’s best musicians and singers all in support of a good cause providing some much needed Christmas cheer and comfort during these challenging times. Visit the Church’s YouTube channel to join.

Help Your Toronto Zoo name its newest zebra baby! On December 1^st Your Toronto Zoo welcomed a healthy male foal. The Grevy’s zebra offspring have Star Wars inspired names, choose between Anakin, Aryn, Ben and Poe. Vote online by December 20 here!

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. More information about the PollinateTO Community Grants is available at www.toronto.ca/PollinateTO

Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Public Information Centre #3 Extended. 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 January 10, 2021, please view the dedicated page and participate by using the Ask-A-Question box, please visit this link.

There are only a few weeks left to apply for an FCM scholarship! FCM awards seven scholarships to young women in high school, CEGEP, university and college who are active in their school’s community and interested in the role of women in elected politics. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2021. Learn more online here.

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 of Scarborough-Guildwood’s past Live Town Hall meetings on my YouTube channel!

Scarborough-Guildwood’s Live Town Halls provide the community with up to date information, support and resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Bes to like and subscribe for more meeting s and videos!

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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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 Google^TM 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 

December 14, 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.

Toronto is in the Grey-Lockdown level of restrictions in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework – From November 23 to December 21. Please stay home as much as possible, except for essential trips for groceries, healthcare, childcare, school and work. Remember to practicephysical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. Residents are asked to limit contact with people not in the same household and to remain at home when ill.

To help residents understand the new Grey-Lockdown category measures, the City has created a simple Do and Don’t guide. This guide communicates what is – and what is not – permitted under the province’s lockdown stage, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Scarborough Health Network, Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Health offer walk-in Pop-up COVID-19 Assessment Centres across Scarborough to increase access to testing for our community. More information is available at www.shn.ca/covid19-popup. December 17 & 18 Pop-up Assessment Centres details are available below:

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of December 13, 2020) There has been an increase of 638 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 288 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 49,236 cases of COVID-19, of these, 42,294 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,717 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 4 fatal case since 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

The City of Toronto is announcing the opening of transitional home for LGBTQI2S youth experiencing homelessness. The new transitional housing facility will provide units for 33 you between the ages of 16 and 29, who identify as LGBTQI2S and are currently experiencing homelessness. The site will give youth a place to love for three to twelve months, depending on need, with an option to extend their stay after the first year. More information can be read in the news release.

Toronto History Museums launces Awakenings program, a virtual series of art projects by Black, Indigenous and artists of colour. Awakenings is a new program that will feature art projects that explore untold stores, awaken a new perspective and invite the public to join the conversation. The series is part of the City of Toronto’s efforts to address anti-Black racism and will be released over the next couple of years. More information can be read in the news release.

The City of Toronto released its 2018 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which tracks Toronto’s progress towards greenhouse gas reduction targets and identifies key emissions sources. The City confirmed it is on track to exceed its 2020 target of a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. TransformTO is the City’s long-range strategy to reduce GHG emissions to help address climate change. More information can be read in the news release.

As the holidays are fast approaching, I’d like to remind everyone to practice public health advice on how to protect yourself and loved ones this holiday season, more information please read the City’s COVID-19 Holiday Guide online.

The 2020 Virtual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Guild Park and Gardens is LIVE on their Facebook Page! Enjoy a 16-minute holiday program of greetings, Christmas songs, photos of past Christmases at the Guild park plus a special visit from Santa to light Guild Park’s Christmas Tree. Visit www.facebook.com/GuildPark to watch!

Holiday Fair in the Square goes virtual this holiday season. The Holiday Fair in the Square Virtual Marketplace is a one-stop-shop for all your holiday shopping needs. Shoppers can browse through a wide selection of vendors who each host their own individual business page to find a huge variety of unique holiday gifts and products this season. Visit the Holiday Fair in the Square Virtual Marketplace online for more information.

IllumiNATION is a virtual celebration of lights across Canada. The City of Toronto contributed the Toronto segment to this virtual show, which will feature Canadian Pairs Champions Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro skating at Nathan Phillips Square. The national webcast will also include segments from Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Moncton, Calgary, Vancouver, Yellowknife and Old Crow. IllumiNATION will premiere December 17 at 8 p.m. on Canadian Heritage’s website and will be available until January 7, 2021 on Canadian Heritage’s YouTube channel.

Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery Holiday Market is opening from December 1 to 24 for Online show and sale. Purchase one of a kind gifts from artists and crafts makers of Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery. For more information please visit www.cedarridgestudiogallery.com/collections/holiday-market

The 43 Division and CPLC will be accepting new unwrapped toys from now until Christmas for the 43 Division Auxiliary Police Toy Drive. All toys will be distributed within the 43 Division community. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk of 43 Division, located at 4331 Lawrence Avenue East.

The Rotary Club of Scarborough’s fundraiser “Rotary Tree of Remembrance” is happening from December 12^th to 24^th, where you can support their efforts by buying a ribbon and writing the name of a loved one or a front-line worker on it, to be hung at the tree at the front yard of the Church of the Holy Trinity Guildwood (85 Livingston Road). Ribbons will be available for purchase at stores in the Guildwood Plaza including Guildwood IDA, Muddy Paws, Subway, Valu-Mart Ace’s Place, and Church of the Holy Trinity. More information can be found here.

Boys’ and Girls Club of East Scarborough has extended their United Way Campaign until December 16th. The United Way is one of the Club’s largest donors, as they fund many of the club’s programs. Support and participate in the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough’s Basket Draw. More information can be found here.  

OGRA is hosting a Virtual COVID-19 “Ask Me Anything” Webinar with Dr. Kevin J Stinson, Infection Control Practitioner at St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener on December 17^th at 1pm. Dr. Stinson is going to answer all your questions during the webinar. For more information and how to register please visit this link.

The Church of the Holy Trinity Guildwood is hosting a free online Christmas concert this Friday December 18^th at 7pm. This concert will feature some of Toronto’s best musicians and singers all in support of a good cause providing some much needed Christmas cheer and comfort during these challenging times. Visit the Church’s YouTube channel to join.

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. More information about the PollinateTO Community Grants is available at www.toronto.ca/PollinateTO

Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Public Information Centre #3 Extended. 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 January 10, 2021, please view the dedicated page and participate by using the Ask-A-Question box, please visit this link.

There are only a few weeks left to apply for an FCM scholarship! FCM awards seven scholarships to young women in high school, CEGEP, university and college who are active in their school’s community and interested in the role of women in elected politics. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2021. Learn more online here.

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 of Scarborough-Guildwood’s past Live Town Hall meetings on my YouTube channel!

Scarborough-Guildwood’s Live Town Halls provide the community with up to date information, support and resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Bes to like and subscribe for more meeting s and videos!

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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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 Google^TM 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 

December 11, 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.

Toronto is in the Grey-Lockdown level of restrictions in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework – From November 23 to December 21. Please stay home as much as possible, except for essential trips for groceries, healthcare, childcare, school and work. Remember to practicephysical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. Residents are asked to limit contact with people not in the same household and to remain at home when ill.

To help residents understand the new Grey-Lockdown category measures, the City has created a simple Do and Don’t guide. This guide communicates what is – and what is not – permitted under the province’s lockdown stage, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

As the holidays are fast approaching, I’d like to remind everyone to practice public health advice on how to protect yourself and loved ones this holiday season. General advice to consider when planning your holiday season include virtual holiday events, outdoor holiday activities, decorating your homes and if possible, donating to holiday charities or toy drives. Residents are encouraged to show support for local businesses and Toronto retailers by shopping online and arranging delivery or curbside pickup. For more information please the City’s COVID-19 Holiday Guide online.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of December 10, 2020) There has been an increase of 502 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 279 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 47,609 cases of COVID-19, of these, 40,669 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,703 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 11 fatal case since 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

Scarborough Health Network, Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Health offer walk-in Pop-up COVID-19 Assessment Centres across Scarborough to increase access to testing for our community. Upcoming Pop-up Assessment Centres information:

• Global Kingdom Ministries (1250 Markham Rd)

Thursday December 17 from 9am to 4pm

• Scarborough Village Recreation Centre (3600 Kingston Rd)

Friday December 18 from 9am to 4pm

More information available at www.shn.ca/covid19-popup

REMINDER: Knights of Columbus is hosting a Christmas Community Food Drive this Saturday December 12^th from 9am to 12pm at St. Martin de Porres Church (Parking Lot), located at 4179 Lawrence Ave E. This will be a drive-through food drive with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place. Community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items, much needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Knights of Columbus will take donations from the trunk of your car. The food items will then be delivered to community Food Banks.

REMINDER: Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Community Council will be running a Holiday Toy Drive this year to support the East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club, Toronto Police Auxiliary and Malvern Family Resource Centre this weekend December 11-13, 2020 – Friday:5:30-7:30pm; Saturday & Sunday: 10am-12pm & 2-4pm. Location drop off will take place in the East Entrance drop off area staffed by community council members. More details at this link.

Today is Day 10 of 12 Days of Giving in the City of Toronto. The Toronto Medics Strongest Link program which provides lifesaving First Aid, CPR and AED training sessions for people in qualified priority neighbourhoods, as well as schools and community groups. More examples of ways to give back this holiday season include DonateTO, making donations to the Daily Bread Food Bank, making donations to Toronto Animal Services for pets living in low-income families or participating in the Firefighters Toy Drive.

Holiday Fair in the Square goes virtual this holiday season. The Holiday Fair in the Square Virtual Marketplace is a one-stop-shop for all your holiday shopping needs. Shoppers can browse through a wide selection of vendors who each host their own individual business page to find a huge variety of unique holiday gifts and products this season. Visit the Holiday Fair in the Square Virtual Marketplace online for more information.

IllumiNATION is a virtual celebration of lights across Canada. IllumiNATION will take Canadians on a magical cross-country journey to meet talented Canadians and discover the most beautiful lights in Canada. The City of Toronto contributed the Toronto segment to this virtual show, which will feature Canadian Pairs Champions Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro skating at Nathan Phillips Square. The national webcast will also include segments from Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Moncton, Calgary, Vancouver, Yellowknife and Old Crow. IllumiNATION will premiere December 17 at 8 p.m. on Canadian Heritage’s website and will be available until January 7, 2021 on Canadian Heritage’s YouTube channel.

Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery Holiday Market is opening from December 1 to 24 for Online show and sale. Purchase one of a kind gifts from artists and crafts makers of Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery. For more information please visit www.cedarridgestudiogallery.com/collections/holiday-market

The 43 Division and CPLC will be accepting new unwrapped toys from now until Christmas for the 43 Division Auxiliary Police Toy Drive. All toys will be distributed within the 43 Division community. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk of 43 Division, located at 4331 Lawrence Avenue East.

The Rotary Club of Scarborough’s fundraiser “Rotary Tree of Remembrance” is happening from December 12^th to 24^th, where you can support their efforts by buying a ribbon and writing the name of a loved one or a front-line worker on it, to be hung at the tree at the front yard of the Church of the Holy Trinity Guildwood (85 Livingston Road). Ribbons will be available for purchase at stores in the Guildwood Plaza including Guildwood IDA, Muddy Paws, Subway, Valu-Mart Ace’s Place, and Church of the Holy Trinity. More information can be found here.

Tell the City about your experience with accessing crisis and support services! The City of Toronto is developing a community-based crisis response service that is collaborative, effective, and community-centric. The City’s second survey is now live until Monday December 14. The survey asks residents for their insights and experiences accessing crisis and supportive services, staying safe in a crisis, community safety and future investments that would provide care or support to prevent people from falling into crisis.

OGRA is hosting a Virtual COVID-19 “Ask Me Anything” Webinar with Dr. Kevin J Stinson, Infection Control Practitioner at St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener on December 17^th at 1pm. Dr. Stinson is going to answer all your questions during the webinar. For more information and how to register please visit this link.

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. More information about the PollinateTO Community Grants is available at www.toronto.ca/PollinateTO

Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Public Information Centre #3 Extended. 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 January 10, 2021, please view the dedicated page and participate by using the Ask-A-Question box, please visit this link.

There are only a few weeks left to apply for an FCM scholarship! FCM awards seven scholarships to young women in high school, CEGEP, university and college who are active in their school’s community and interested in the role of women in elected politics. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2021. Learn more online here.

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 of Scarborough-Guildwood’s past Live Town Hall meetings on my YouTube channel!

Scarborough-Guildwood’s Live Town Halls provide the community with up to date information, support and resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Bes to like and subscribe for more meeting s and videos!

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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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 Google^TM 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 

December 10, 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.

Toronto is in the Grey-Lockdown level of restrictions in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework – From November 23 to December 21. Please stay home as much as possible, except for essential trips for groceries, healthcare, childcare, school and work. Remember to practicephysical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. Residents are asked to limit contact with people not in the same household and to remain at home when ill.

To help residents understand the new Grey-Lockdown category measures, the City has created a simple Do and Don’t guide. This guide communicates what is – and what is not – permitted under the province’s lockdown stage, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Following Health Canada’s approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario is ready to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are available. The province has confirmed that all necessary security measures are in place and can expect a small number of doses to arrive in the coming days. Beginning Tuesday, December 15, the first doses will be administered at University Health Network and The Ottawa Hospital to health care workers who are providing care in long-term care homes and other high-risk settings. Read the Premiers full statement here.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of December 9, 2020) There has been an increase of 558 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 251 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 47,142 cases of COVID-19, of these, 30,108 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,692 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 8 fatal case since 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

Scarborough Health Network, Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Health offer walk-in Pop-up COVID-19 Assessment Centres across Scarborough to increase access to testing for our community. Upcoming Pop-up Assessment Centres information:

• Global Kingdom Ministries (1250 Markham Rd)

Thursday December 17 from 9am to 4pm

• Scarborough Village Recreation Centre (3600 Kingston Rd)

Friday December 18 from 9am to 4pm

More information available at www.shn.ca/covid19-popup

Toronto Fire Services has partnered with First Alert, to help ensure Toronto residents in vulnerable communities have the required smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms needed to stay safe. Knowing that more Torontonians will be spending time indoors this winter, First Alert has generously donated 300 CO alarms to Community Centre 55, an organization that helps serve and support vulnerable communities. The CO alarms will be distributed, as part of Community Centre 55’s Christmas Hamper program, to families who are most in need. More information can be read in this news release.

Short-term rental operators in Toronto must register by December 31 to continue hosting. Beginning January 1, 2021, registered operators must start collecting the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). After January 1, 2021, the City will take enforcement action against operators who are not registered or are not following the rules. Enforcement action will also be taken against short-term rental companies that allowed unregistered operators to list on their platform or contravene the bylaw. More information can be read in this news release.

Financial Accountability Office (FAO) report highlights Ontario municipalities’ need for 2021 relief funding due to COVID-19. The report confirms that the City has been hit harder financially than any other municipality in Ontario, in both total and per capita financial impacts. The City projects the 2020 year-end financial impacts of COVID-19 to be more than $1.7 billion, with the effects continuing well into 2021. The City has mitigated some of these costs by using a combination $500 million in workforce and spending restraints and cost avoidance, such as voluntary separation, a hiring slowdown, management, non-union and Councillor pay freeze, and the cancellation of the non-union pay-for-performance program. More information can be read in this news release.

Today is the first night of Hanukkah. I’d like to wish everyone celebrating a safe, joyous and healthy holiday. Happy Hanukkah and Chag Sameach!

As the holidays are fast approaching, I’d like to remind everyone to practice public health advice on how to protect yourself and loved ones this holiday season. General advice to consider when planning your holiday season include virtual holiday events, outdoor holiday activities, decorating your homes and if possible, donating to holiday charities or toy drives. Residents are encouraged to show support for local businesses and Toronto retailers by shopping online and arranging delivery or curbside pickup.

Today is Day 8 of 12 Days of Giving in the City of Toronto. Help those experiencing homelessness by donating personal hygiene products to a city-funded agency. For more information check out the City’s Holiday Wish List. More examples of ways to give back this holiday season include DonateTO, making donations to the Daily Bread Food Bank, making donations to Toronto Animal Services for pets living in low-income families or participating in the Firefighters Toy Drive.

The Rotary Club of Scarborough’s fundraiser “Rotary Tree of Remembrance” is happening from December 12^th to 24^th, where you can support their efforts by buying a ribbon and writing the name of a loved one or a front-line worker on it, to be hung at the tree at the front yard of the Church of the Holy Trinity Guildwood (85 Livingston Road). Ribbons will be available for purchase at stores in the Guildwood Plaza including Guildwood IDA, Muddy Paws, Subway, Valu-Mart Ace’s Place, and Church of the Holy Trinity. More information can be found here.

Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery Holiday Market is opening from December 1 to 24 for Online show and sale. Purchase one of a kind gifts from artists and crafts makers of Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery. For more information please visit www.cedarridgestudiogallery.com/collections/holiday-market

The 43 Division and CPLC will be accepting new unwrapped toys from now until Christmas for the 43 Division Auxiliary Police Toy Drive. All toys will be distributed within the 43 Division community. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk of 43 Division, located at 4331 Lawrence Avenue East.

Scarborough Health Network is hosting a Community Telephone Town Hall TONIGHT December 10^th from 7pm to 8pm. Elizabeth Buller, President & CEO, SHN along with members of their Senior Leadership Team and Physician Leaders, will be taking your questions and discussing how they are managing the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information and to register your phone number please visit this link!

In creating a TCDSB Dismantling Anti-Black Racism (DABR) Strategy, TCDSB students, staff and families who identify as Black and/or African Canadian are asked to share their experiences and/por to participate in upcoming focus groups. For more information and how to participate please visit this link. Please fill out the survey by Friday December 11, 2020.

Knights of Columbus is hosting a Christmas Community Food Drive on Saturday December 12^th from 9am to 12pm at St. Martin de Porres Church (Parking Lot), located at 4179 Lawrence Ave E. This will be a drive-through food drive with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place. Community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items, much needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Knights of Columbus will take donations from the trunk of your car. The food items will then be delivered to community Food Banks.

Tell the City about your experience with accessing crisis and support services! The City of Toronto is developing a community-based crisis response service that is collaborative, effective, and community-centric. The City’s second survey is now live until Monday December 14. The survey asks residents for their insights and experiences accessing crisis and supportive services, staying safe in a crisis, community safety and future investments that would provide care or support to prevent people from falling into crisis.

Go Expansion Program Public Information Centre #3 is now open. The GO Expansion consists of many different projects, three TPAPs – New Track and Facilities TPAP, Scarborough Junction Grade Separation TPAP, Stoufville Rail Corridor Grade Separations TPAP – and 2 addenda – the Network-Wide Structure Project and an Addendum to the GO Rail Network Electrification. To participate visit this page to review and learn more about what infrastructure is proposed near you, which TPAP or addenda the infrastructure falls under and provide feedback and ask questions. This public information centre will be open until Friday December 11, 2020.

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.

The Scarborough Business Association Learning Hub is providing live virtual courses dedicated to helping Scarborough businesses deal with the difficulties of operating during COVID-19. This is an opportunity to take free or pay-what-you-can 60 or 90minute online training courses from your home or office! For more information and how to register please visit this link.

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. Deadline to apply is Thursday December 10^th, 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. More information about the PollinateTO Community Grants is available at www.toronto.ca/PollinateTO

There are only a few weeks left to apply for an FCM scholarship! FCM awards seven scholarships to young women in high school, CEGEP, university and college who are active in their school’s community and interested in the role of women in elected politics. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2021. Learn more online here.

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 of Scarborough-Guildwood’s past Live Town Hall meetings on my YouTube channel!

Scarborough-Guildwood’s Live Town Halls provide the community with up to date information, support and resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Bes to like and subscribe for more meeting s and videos!

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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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 Google^TM 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 

December 9, 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.

Toronto is in the Grey-Lockdown level of restrictions in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework – From November 23 to December 21. Please stay home as much as possible, except for essential trips for groceries, healthcare, childcare, school and work. Remember to practicephysical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. Residents are asked to limit contact with people not in the same household and to remain at home when ill.

To help residents understand the new Grey-Lockdown category measures, the City has created a simple Do and Don’t guide. This guide communicates what is – and what is not – permitted under the province’s lockdown stage, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Health Canada authorizes first COVID-19 vaccine. Health Canada received Pfizer’s submission on October 9, 2020 and after a thorough, independent of the evidence, Health Canada has determined that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine meets the Departments stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements for use in Canada. More information can be read in this news release.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of December 8, 2020) There has been an increase of 553 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 220 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 46,619 cases of COVID-19, of these, 39,584 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,684 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 12 fatal case since 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. 

Toronto Public Health has now added per cent positivity of COVID-19 by age group to the reporting platform. Per cent positivity measures the proportion of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 out of the total number who have been tested. In this data, per cent positivity is highest in the category of young people aged 14 to 17 – 11.6 per cent for the week of November 22. That is more than two per cent higher than the per cent positivity for the next highest group, 18- to 23-year-olds, at 9 per cent positivity.

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

As the holidays are fast approaching, I’d like to remind everyone to practice public health advice on how to protect yourself and loved ones this holiday season. General advice to consider when planning your holiday season include virtual holiday events, outdoor holiday activities, decorating your homes and if possible, donating to holiday charities or toy drives. Residents are encouraged to show support for local businesses and Toronto retailers by shopping online and arranging delivery or curbside pickup.

The City of Toronto continues to work with community-based agencies to provide mental health support to vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Toronto wants all residents to know it is OK to not be OK and ask for mental health support. Toronto residents are reminded that they have access to free mental health services from the safety of their own homes. Anyone experiencing anxiety or stress can call 211 to connect with one of 13 mental health service partners for direct phone support. Mental health service information is also available at www.211.ca

Staying active is another way people can contribute to maintaining their mental health and wellbeing. The City and Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health continue to encourage people to safely get fresh air and exercise outdoors. People can stay active this winter with members of their household at city parks and outdoor spaces. Check out the City’s Welcome T.O. Winter parks plan for more information.

Torontonians are encouraged to show support for local businesses, urging all residents, who are able to, to participate in “Take Out Wednesday.” Ordering take-out or delivery supports local restaurants that have shifted their businesses and are working to help stop the spread of COVID-19. You can visit www.togotoronto.com to connect with restaurants around the city.

Today is Day 8 of 12 Days of Giving in the City of Toronto. Help those experiencing homelessness by donating personal hygiene products to a city-funded agency. For more information check out the City’s Holiday Wish List. More examples of ways to give back this holiday season include DonateTO, making donations to the Daily Bread Food Bank, making donations to Toronto Animal Services for pets living in low-income families or participating in the Firefighters Toy Drive.

The Rotary Club of Scarborough is making a “Rotary Tree of Remembrance” in Guildwood!

The Rotary Club of Scarborough is raising money to support their group, which has been supporting local groups like the House of Neighbours and the Canada Cares Campaign with food and volunteer work.

The group’s fundraiser “Rotary Tree of Remembrance” is happening from December 12^th to 24^th, where you can support their efforts by buying a ribbon and writing the name of a loved one or a front-line worker on it, to be hung at the tree at the front yard of the Church of the Holy Trinity Guildwood (85 Livingston Road). Ribbons will be available for purchase at stores in the Guildwood Plaza including Guildwood IDA, Muddy Paws, Subway, Valu-Mart Ace’s Place, and Church of the Holy Trinity. More information can be found here.

Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery Holiday Market is opening from December 1 to 24 for Online show and sale. Purchase one of a kind gifts from artists and crafts makers of Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery. For more information please visit www.cedarridgestudiogallery.com/collections/holiday-market

The 43 Division and CPLC will be accepting new unwrapped toys from now until Christmas for the 43 Division Auxiliary Police Toy Drive. All toys will be distributed within the 43 Division community. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk of 43 Division, located at 4331 Lawrence Avenue East.

The City of Toronto is hosting a Virtual Community Consultation meeting to discuss the proposed developments at 4097 Lawrence Avenue East and 197-201 Galloway Road TONIGHT  December 9, 2020 7pm to 8:30pm. For information on how to participate please see this notice or please visit www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations.

TTC Connects: Women as Transit Operations Virtual Information Session is this Thursday December 10, 2020 from 1pm to 3pm. This is an opportunity to hear from diverse women on track to rewarding careers in public transit. Followed by discussions about working with your community, family and work-life balance, career growth opportunities and competitive compensation and benefits. Register from the information session here.

Scarborough Health Network is hosting a Community Telephone Town Hall on Thursday December 10^th from 7pm to 8pm. Elizabeth Buller, President & CEO, SHN along with members of their Senior Leadership Team and Physician Leaders, will be taking your questions and discussing how they are managing the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information and to register your phone number please visit this link!

In creating a TCDSB Dismantling Anti-Black Racism (DABR) Strategy, TCDSB students, staff and families who identify as Black and/or African Canadian are asked to share their experiences and/por to participate in upcoming focus groups. For more information and how to participate please visit this link. Please fill out the survey by Friday December 11, 2020.

Knights of Columbus is hosting a Christmas Community Food Drive on Saturday December 12^th from 9am to 12pm at St. Martin de Porres Church (Parking Lot), located at 4179 Lawrence Ave E. This will be a drive-through food drive with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place. Community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items, much needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Knights of Columbus will take donations from the trunk of your car. The food items will then be delivered to community Food Banks.

Tell the City about your experience with accessing crisis and support services! The City of Toronto is developing a community-based crisis response service that is collaborative, effective, and community-centric. The City’s second survey is now live until Monday December 14. The survey asks residents for their insights and experiences accessing crisis and supportive services, staying safe in a crisis, community safety and future investments that would provide care or support to prevent people from falling into crisis.

Go Expansion Program Public Information Centre #3 is now open. The GO Expansion consists of many different projects, three TPAPs – New Track and Facilities TPAP, Scarborough Junction Grade Separation TPAP, Stoufville Rail Corridor Grade Separations TPAP – and 2 addenda – the Network-Wide Structure Project and an Addendum to the GO Rail Network Electrification. To participate visit this page to review and learn more about what infrastructure is proposed near you, which TPAP or addenda the infrastructure falls under and provide feedback and ask questions. This public information centre will be open until Friday December 11, 2020.

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.

The Scarborough Business Association Learning Hub is providing live virtual courses dedicated to helping Scarborough businesses deal with the difficulties of operating during COVID-19. This is an opportunity to take free or pay-what-you-can 60 or 90minute online training courses from your home or office! For more information and how to register please visit this link.

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. Deadline to apply is Thursday December 10^th, 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. More information about the PollinateTO Community Grants is available at www.toronto.ca/PollinateTO

There are only a few weeks left to apply for an FCM scholarship! FCM awards seven scholarships to young women in high school, CEGEP, university and college who are active in their school’s community and interested in the role of women in elected politics. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2021. Learn more online here.

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 of Scarborough-Guildwood’s past Live Town Hall meetings on my YouTube channel!

Scarborough-Guildwood’s Live Town Halls provide the community with up to date information, support and resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Bes to like and subscribe for more meeting s and videos!

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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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 Google^TM 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 

December 8, 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.

Toronto is in the Grey-Lockdown level of restrictions in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework – From November 23 to December 21. Please stay home as much as possible, except for essential trips for groceries, healthcare, child care, school and work. Remember to practicephysical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. Residents are asked to limit contact with people not in the same household and to remain at home when ill.

To help residents understand the new Grey-Lockdown category measures, the City has created a simple Do and Don’t guide. This guide communicates what is – and what is not – permitted under the province’s lockdown stage, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with all levels of industry, government and health agencies to have 14 locations across Canada ready to receive the Pfizer vaccines in December 2020. Up to 249,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will arrive in a series of shipments, not all at once. More information can be read in this news release.

The Province of Ontario has identified key populations to receive the COVID-19 vaccine first. These key populations include long-term care and retirement home residents and the staff who provide care to these groups. The key populations include resident, staff, essential caregivers of long-term care and retirement homes; health care workers; adults in indigenous communities; and adult recipients of chronic home health care. More information can be read in this news release.

As the holidays are fast approaching, I’d like to remind everyone to practice public health advice on how to protect yourself and loved ones this holiday season. General advice to consider when planning your holiday season include virtual holiday events, outdoor holiday activities, decorating your homes and if possible, donating to holiday charities or toy drives. Residents are encouraged to show support for local businesses and Toronto retailers by shopping online and arranging delivery or curbside pickup.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of December 7, 2020) There has been an increase of 646 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 228 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 46,103 cases of COVID-19, of these, 38,990 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,672 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 1 fatal case since 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

This afternoon, the Government of Ontario completed the third reading of Schedule 6 of Bill 229, which reinforce that conservation authority exist to deliver programs and services that further the conversation, restoration, development, and management of natural resources in watersheds in Ontario. In accordance with this purpose, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will continue using a science-based watershed approach to its decision making and will not be changing its practices related to planning and permitting except as required when the Bill is proclaimed. To read TRCA’s full response as the Government of Ontario complete its third reading if Bill 229 please visit this link.

Today is Day 7 of 12 Days of Giving in the City of Toronto. Need a gift for a nature-lover? Why not give a donation in their name to help pollinators? More information at www.toronto.ca/donate.Examples of ways to give back this holiday season include DonateTO, the City’s Holiday Wish List, making donations to the Daily Bread Food Bank, making donations to Toronto Animal Services for pets living in low-income families or participating in the Firefighters Toy Drive.

The City of Toronto’s Welcome T.O. Winter parks plan provides safe ways for people to get outside in Toronto’s parks this winter! The City continues to urge people to stay at home as much as possible but recognizes public health officials have encouraged people to get exercise outside on their own and with members of their household. Visit www.toronto.ca/welcom-to-winter/ for more information on T.O. Winter parks activities. .

Get to know the plan for Snow in the City of Toronto’s 2020-2021 Winter Services plan. Winter in Toronto is cold and snowy, that’s why the City of Toronto is ready with a snow clearing plan. Look out for details on social media and in your mail. More information on the city’s snow clearing plan here.

Your City of Toronto 2021 Waste Management Calendar is coming soon! Learn the top 5 recycling mistakes Torontonians make, what happens to your recycling, how you can reduce your waste and more. Call 311 if you haven’t received your calendar by January 4, 2021.

Check out the online exhibit, digital Big Art Book and list of winners for this year’s Annual Juried Exhibition. The Annual Juried Exhibition is a yearly showcase for community artworks responding to a specific theme. The Big Art Book is a yearly printed anthology of visual arts and literatures and has been published by Scarborough Arts as a companion to the Annual Juried Exhibition. Learn more online here.

Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery Holiday Market is opening from December 1 to 24 for Online show and sale. Purchase one of a kind gifts from artists and crafts makers of Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery. For more information please visit www.cedarridgestudiogallery.com/collections/holiday-market

The 43 Division and CPLC will be accepting new unwrapped toys from now until Christmas for the 43 Division Auxiliary Police Toy Drive. All toys will be distributed within the 43 Division community. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk of 43 Division, located at 4331 Lawrence Avenue East.

Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) is hosting a Virtual Information Session for TCHC tenants living in their Senior Housing Unit Tonight December 8 from 6:30pm to 8pm! Learn more about the Integrated Service Model for seniors housing, how it will benefit seniors and how and when it will be implemented. You can join via WebEx by visiting www.torontohousing.ca/events and clicking on December 8 to access the meeting link/ You can also join by calling 416-915-6530 and entering the access code: 177 820 7333. 

The City of Toronto is hosting a Virtual Community Consultation meeting to discuss the proposed developments at 4097 Lawrence Avenue East and 197-201 Galloway Road on December 9, 2020 7pm to 8:30pm. For information on how to participate please see this notice or please visit www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations.

TTC Connects: Women as Transit Operations Virtual Information Session is this Thursday December 10, 2020 from 1pm to 3pm. This is an opportunity to hear from diverse women on track to rewarding careers in public transit. Followed by discussions about working with your community, family and work-life balance, career growth opportunities and competitive compensation and benefits. Register from the information session here.

Scarborough Health Network is hosting a Community Telephone Town Hall on Thursday December 10^th from 7pm to 8pm. Elizabeth Buller, President & CEO, SHN along with members of their Senior Leadership Team and Physician Leaders, will be taking your questions and discussing how they are managing the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information and to register your phone number please visit this link!

Knights of Columbus is hosting a Christmas Community Food Drive on Saturday December 12^th from 9am to 12pm at St. Martin de Porres Church (Parking Lot), located at 4179 Lawrence Ave E. This will be a drive-through food drive with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place. Community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items, much needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Knights of Columbus will take donations from the trunk of your car. The food items will then be delivered to community Food Banks.

Tell the City about your experience with accessing crisis and support services! The City of Toronto is developing a community-based crisis response service that is collaborative, effective, and community-centric. The City’s second survey is now live until Monday December 14. The survey asks residents for their insights and experiences accessing crisis and supportive services, staying safe in a crisis, community safety and future investments that would provide care or support to prevent people from falling into crisis.

Go Expansion Program Public Information Centre #3 is now open. The GO Expansion consists of many different projects, three TPAPs – New Track and Facilities TPAP, Scarborough Junction Grade Separation TPAP, Stoufville Rail Corridor Grade Separations TPAP – and 2 addenda – the Network-Wide Structure Project and an Addendum to the GO Rail Network Electrification. To participate visit this page to review and learn more about what infrastructure is proposed near you, which TPAP or addenda the infrastructure falls under and provide feedback and ask questions. This public information centre will be open until Friday December 11, 2020.

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.

The Scarborough Business Association Learning Hub is providing live virtual courses dedicated to helping Scarborough businesses deal with the difficulties of operating during COVID-19. This is an opportunity to take free or pay-what-you-can 60 or 90minute online training courses from your home or office! For more information and how to register please visit this link.

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. Deadline to apply is Thursday December 10^th, 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. More information about the PollinateTO Community Grants is available at www.toronto.ca/PollinateTO

There are only a few weeks left to apply for an FCM scholarship! FCM awards seven scholarships to young women in high school, CEGEP, university and college who are active in their school’s community and interested in the role of women in elected politics. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2021. Learn more online here.

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 of Scarborough-Guildwood’s past Live Town Hall meetings on my YouTube channel!

Scarborough-Guildwood’s Live Town Halls provide the community with up to date information, support and resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Bes to like and subscribe for more meeting s and videos!

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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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 Google^TM 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 

December 3, 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.

Town Hall Meeting Tonight, December 3

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. 

Toronto is in the Grey-Lockdown level of restrictions in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework.  Please stay home as much as possible, except for essential trips for groceries, healthcare, child care, school and work. Remember to practicephysical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. Residents are asked to limit contact with people not in the same household and to remain at home when ill.

To help residents understand the new Grey-Lockdown category measures, the City has created a simple Do and Don’t guide. This guide communicates what is – and what is not – permitted under the province’s lockdown stage, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of December 2, 2020) There has been an increase of 421 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 240 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 43,112 cases of COVID-19, of these, 36,618 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,630 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 10 fatal cases since 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

A City of Toronto report providing an update on the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit and the Waterfront Transit Network will be going to Executive Committee next week. The Eglinton East LRT is a planned 15km extension of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT from Kennedy Station to Malvern, with up to 21 stops and three connections to GO Transit. City staff recommend that City Council approve an updated project scope with an evolved design that accommodates the Province of Ontario’s subway expansion plans.

Transit is an important part of thriving, desirable neighbourhoods. The Eglinton East LRT will have many benefits, including serving Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and making important connections to other transit services. I am very happy with the work done to date on project and support this important future component of Scarborough’s transit network. More information can be read in the news release.

A City of Toronto staff report recommending a tax on vacant homes in Toronto will be going to Executive Committee next week. A vacant home tax increases the housing supply by encouraging homeowners to sell or rent their unoccupied home, and if they choose to continue to keep the home vacant, a tax is levied. This revenue can then be used to fund affordable housing projects.

Using data from Vancouver’s implementation of a vacant home tax as an example, if one per cent of Toronto’s housing stock is vacant, at a tax rate of one per cent on the average Toronto home’s current assessed value, this could equal $55 to $66 million in tax revenue per year. More information can be read in the news release.

St. Lawrence Market Saturday Farmers Market to resume full operations this Saturday so it can provide essential food retail to residents. The City of Toronto has reviewed the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework for areas in Grey – Lockdown as it applies to the Saturday-only Farmers Market. The Farmers Market has long been a weekly aspect of the permanent indoor St. Lawrence Market, which is permitted to be open under the regulations as it is essential food retail. This allows the Saturday Farmers Market to operate indoors with COVID-19 precautions in place. The Farmers Market will be open from 5am to 3pm on Saturday. More information can be read in the news release.

The City of Toronto continues to take extraordinary steps to help and protect people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19. So far in 2020, the City has also referred more than 2,500 people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing through a combination of housing allowances and rent-geared-to-income units, representing a 50 per cent increase over the same period last year. There are more than 6,000 shelter spaces in the city today. The City’s Streets to Homes team and partner agencies has helped more than 1,100 people move inside from encampments since the pandemic began. In the past two weeks, alone, 110 people have accepted offers to move inside.

The City of Toronto “12 Days of Giving” is now live on their Twitter account. 12 Days of Giving is a social media campaign used to highlight different ways people can give on each of the 12 days. Examples of ways to give back this holiday season include DonateTO, the City’s Holiday Wish List, making donations to the Daily Bread Food Bank, making donations to Toronto Animal Services for pets living in low-income families or participating in the Firefighters Toy Drive. For more information please read this news release.

Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery Holiday Market is opening from December 1 to 24 for Online show and sale. Purchase one of a kind gifts from artists and crafts makers of Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery. For more information please visit www.cedarridgestudiogallery.com/collections/holiday-market

The 43 Division and CPLC will be accepting new unwrapped toys from now until Christmas for the 43 Division Auxiliary Police Toy Drive. All toys will be distributed within the 43 Division community. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk of 43 Division, located at 4331 Lawrence Avenue East.

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 TOMORROW December 4^th, 2020. More information on how to participate in the Holiday Help Program can be found here.

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 5^th at 10am. Volunteers will collect these donations and redistribute to those in need in the community. More information can be found at www.torontomiracle.org

The Missions Committee and Board of Heron Park Baptist Church is hosting a drive-through food collection on Saturday December 5^th from 11am to 2pm at Heron Park Baptist Church (Parking Lot), located at 4260 Lawrence Ave E. Donations should be placed in the trunk of the car and volunteers will safely take the donations from the trunk and prepare them for the food bank.

Knights of Columbus is hosting a Christmas Community Food Drive on Saturday December 12^th from 9am to 12pm at St. Martin de Porres Church (Parking Lot), located at 4179 Lawrence Ave E. This will be a drive-through food drive with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place. Community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items, much needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Knights of Columbus will take donations from the trunk of your car. The food items will then be delivered to community Food Banks.

Tell the City about your experience with accessing crisis and support services! The City of Toronto is developing a community-based crisis response service that is collaborative, effective, and community-centric. The City’s second survey is now live until December 14. The survey asks residents for their insights and experiences accessing crisis and supportive services, staying safe in a crisis, community safety and future investments that would provide care or support to prevent people from falling into crisis.

Go Expansion Program Public Information Centre #3 is now open. The GO Expansion consists of many different projects, three TPAPs – New Track and Facilities TPAP, Scarborough Junction Grade Separation TPAP, Stoufville Rail Corridor Grade Separations TPAP – and 2 addenda – the Network-Wide Structure Project and an Addendum to the GO Rail Network Electrification. To participate visit this page to review and learn more about what infrastructure is proposed near you, which TPAP or addenda the infrastructure falls under and provide feedback and ask questions. This public information centre will be open until December 11, 2020.

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.

The City of Toronto is hosting a Virtual Community Consultation meeting to discuss the proposed developments at 4097 Lawrence Avenue East and 197-201 Galloway Road on December 9, 2020 7pm to 8:30pm. For information on how to participate please see this notice or please visit www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations.

The City of Toronto is hosting a Virtual Community Consultation Meeting to discuss the proposed development at 5 Corporate Drive on December 7, 2020 6pm to 7:30pm. For more information on how to participate please see this notice or please visit www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations.

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. Deadline to apply is Thursday December 10^th, 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. 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.

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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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 Google^TM 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 

December 1, 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.

Town Hall Meeting Thursday December 3

T

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. 

Toronto has now entered the Grey-Lockdown level of restrictions in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework.  Please stay home as much as possible, except for essential trips for groceries, healthcare, child care, school and work. Remember to practicephysical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. Residents are asked to limit contact with people not in the same household and to remain at home when ill. I encourage you to read the Grey-Lockdown level guidelines and the province’s news release for more information.

To help residents understand the new Grey-Lockdown category measures, the City has created a simple Do and Don’t guide. This guide communicates what is – and what is not – permitted under the province’s lockdown stage, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of November 30, 2020) There has been an increase of 761 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 258 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 42,312 cases of COVID-19, of these, 35,580 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,603 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. 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

Today, Scarborough Health Network launched its COVID-19 Assessment Centre located on the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, 1256 Military Trail. The assessment centre is located at Highland Hall and will operate from December 2020 through April 2021. For more information on Scarborough Health Networks assessment centres please visit www.shn.ca/covid19-assess/

Today is Giving Tuesday, an important time for us to come together, empower each other and rally for favourite causes. Giving Tuesday is a global movement dedicated to giving, join the following community organization – and others across Canada and around the world – and give a gift and support the community.

• Join the Scarborough Health Foundation in shaping the future of care for patients and their families – for more information and how to give your gift please visit this link. 
• Join the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy & the Toronto Zoo’s Home for the Holidays campaign – for more information please visit this link!
• Join the Storefront and share your favourite way to do good with their “unselfie” template! Learn more information and how to donate at this link!
• Join 5N2 Kitchens in helping those in need throughout Scarborough, for more information please visit this link!
• Parents Engaged in Education is fundraising to establish Canada’s First Education Bank. See this flyer for more details. Visit this link to donate! 

For more information on Giving Tuesday and how to get involved, please visit www.givingtuesday.ca 

The City of Toronto gives thanks and kicks off “12 Days of Giving” campaign to celebrate Giving Tuesday. The City of Toronto extends its sincere thanks to all the gracious residents and businesses who have donated gifts, goods and services to help support Toronto’s most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 12 Days of Giving is a social media campaign on the City’s twitter account used to highlight different ways people can give on each of the 12 days. Examples of ways to give back this holiday season include DonateTO, the City’s Holiday Wish List, making donations to the Daily Bread Food Bank, making donations to Toronto Animal Services for pets living in low-income families or participating in the Firefighters Toy Drive. For more information please read this news release.

Desmond Cole has been awarded the 2020 Toronto Book Award for his memoir The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power. This is the 46th year of the Toronto Book Awards. Established by City Council in 1974, the awards honour books of literary merit that are evocative of Toronto. The annual awards offer $15,000 in prize money. Each shortlisted finalist will receive $1,000, with $10,000 awarded to the winner. This year’s Toronto Book Awards Committee was comprised of volunteer members Kate Cayley, Michael Fraser, Liz Howard, Ben McNally and Naben Ruthnum. For more information please read this news release.

The 43 Division and CPLC will be accepting new unwrapped toys from now until Christmas for the 43 Division Auxiliary Police Toy Drive. All toys will be distributed within the 43 Division community. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk of 43 Division, located at 4331 Lawrence Avenue East.

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 4^th, 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.

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 5^th 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

Knights of Columbus is hosting a Christmas Community Food Drive on Saturday December 12^th from 9am to 12pm at St. Martin de Porres Church (Parking Lot), located at 4179 Lawrence Ave E. This will be a drive-through food drive with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place. Community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items, much needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Knights of Columbus will take donations from the trunk of your car. The food items will then be delivered to community Food Banks.

Tell the City about your experience with accessing crisis and support services! The City of Toronto is developing a community-based crisis response service that is collaborative, effective, and community-centric. The City’s second survey is now live until December 14. The survey asks residents for their insights and experiences accessing crisis and supportive services, staying safe in a crisis, community safety and future investments that would provide care or support to prevent people from falling into crisis.

Go Expansion Program Public Information Centre #3 is now open. The GO Expansion consists of many different projects, three TPAPs – New Track and Facilities TPAP, Scarborough Junction Grade Separation TPAP, Stoufville Rail Corridor Grade Separations TPAP – and 2 addenda – the Network-Wide Structure Project and an Addendum to the GO Rail Network Electrification. To participate visit this page to review and learn more about what infrastructure is proposed near you, which TPAP or addenda the infrastructure falls under and provide feedback and ask questions. This public information centre will be open until December 11, 2020.

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.

The City of Toronto is hosting a Virtual Community Consultation Meeting to discuss the proposed development at 5 Corporate Drive on December 7, 2020 6pm to 7:30pm. The Community Consultation Meeting will discuss an update on the status of the proposal including its process and potential outcomes; opportunities for community members to provide feedback; and next steps for the proposal. For more information on how to participate please see this notice or please visit www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations.

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. Deadline to apply is Thursday December 10^th, 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. 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.

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: 

City of Toronto

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

World Health Organization

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 Google^TM 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