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 29th, 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 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.
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.
Help Your Toronto Zoo name its newest zebra baby! On December 1st 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:
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