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 12th to 24th, 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 10th 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 12th 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 10th, 2020 4:30pm. Apply NOW.
Create a pollinator garden and help native pollinators from the threats of climate change, habitat loss, and other stressors. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support community-led initiatives that result in the creation or expansion of pollinator habitat on public and private lands in Toronto. The deadline to apply for the City’s PollinateTO Community Grant is January 8, 2021. 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:
Official Global Travel Advisory
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
The City of Toronto’s website can be translated into many languages using the GoogleTM Translate tool. This tool gives residents and visitors who speak other languages a way of accessing City information featured on the website. To change languages on the City of Toronto website, please click here: www.toronto.ca/home/translate/
I am continuously updating my social media platforms and my website with up to date information:
Website: www.paulainslie.com
You can also reach me by: telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul