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 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.
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 17th 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 18th 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:
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