January 2021 – Words From Eastern Toronto

January 27, 2021

My January 27, 2021 #COVID #Updaste for #Ward24 , #Scarborough , and #Toronto

Dear Neighbours,

I would like to continue to thank everyone for their efforts during these difficult times, I know it has been tough, but we must continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep ourselves and our community safe. It is also important to remember, our mental health is paramount, and that we take care of ourselves and seek support if needed.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of January 25, 2020) There has been an increase of 502 COVID-19 cases in the City with 520 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 83,935 cases of COVID-19, of these, 74,061 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,341 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.

A Province-wide declaration of emergency and stay-at-home orders remain in effect. It remains imperative that we all respect the COVID-19 orders and stay home as much as possible. When you are outside of your home for essential purposes, remember to wear a mask or face covering, practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene. Get the latest information about service changes, COVID-19 vaccination rollout and why it is important to continue following public health measures that reduce virus spread.

The Government of Ontario has extended the declared provincial emergency for another 14 days. The declaration of emergency was originally declared on January 12, 2021 and will now expire on February 9, 2021, unless extended further.

COVID-19 testing site and vaccine information – Residents can learn more about testing locations in their neighbourhood at www.toronto.ca/covid19testing . If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine please visit the City’s webpage for the latest news and information at www.toronto.ca/covid19vaccine

If you recently got tested for COVID-19, you may get a text message to complete a short, voluntary survey about your activities days before your test. Your responses are confidential and will help Toronto Public Health better understand virus spread in our city. Learn more about Toronto Public Health’s source of infection survey here.

Tonight at 7pm, the City of Toronto will open its four Warming Centres to give those who are vulnerable and may be experiencing homelessness a safe indoor and warm place to rest and access snacks, washrooms facilities and referrals to emergency shelters. Space will be offered at the following locations:

129 Peter Street
5800 Yonge Street
Exhibition Place, Better Living Centre, 195 Princes’ Boulevard
Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive

Warming Centres are generally activated when the City issues an Extreme Cold Weather Alert (ECWA) based on a forecast of minus 15 degrees Celsius or colder. While the temperature may not reach this threshold, the City is activating the Warming Centres tonight in an abundance of caution due to colder nighttime temperatures, forecasted wind chill values and snow accumulation. For more information please read this news release.

City of Toronto recognizes the importance of mental health in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. Many people may feel sad, stressed, anxious, confused, scared or angry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These are normal and common responses to unexpected or stressful situations. Tomorrow is Bell Let’s Talk Day – an annual reminder of the importance of mental health and reaching out to loved ones, something particularly important as people continue to stay home to keep family and friends safe.

Launched in April 2020, the City’s Mental Health Support Strategy partnered with 13 key mental health service providers to ensure that mental health support services are well integrated and Toronto residents are aware of the free support services that are available to them. Through the strategy, residents can access free mental health supports from the safety of their own homes through text, online or by phone by calling 2-1-1. For more information please read this news release.

The City of Toronto is conducting additional education and enforcement of the mask bylaw in residential buildings where complaints have been received about mask usage in enclosed common spaces. An analysis of 311 data revealed that the City had received 1,950 complaints about improper mask usage in shared residential spaces since the mask bylaw came into effect. The City’s RentSafeTO: Apartment Building Standards program’s enforcement team will be issuing letters to the landlords and property managers of each of these locations, reminding them about the requirements under the mask bylaw. Toronto Public Health has provided sample policy, guidance and signage to help building owners comply with the bylaw. More information can be read in this news release.

The City of Toronto released its first-ever Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report at Executive Committee. This annual report outlines how the City is focused on ESG-related opportunities and risks across strategic priorities, sustainable finance and socioeconomic outcomes. Toronto is the first government in Canada to issue an annual ESG report to reflect its commitment and performance in each of three areas: environment, social well-being and governance. The City strives to be a leader in making positive impacts across key ESG priorities through commitment, innovation and transparency. For more information please read this news release.

Virtual Meet The Employer Event on Thursday January 28 from 1pm to 2:30pm – East Scarborough Storefront is pleased to host representatives from The Toronto Zoo and Restaurants Associates Canada for a special session about careers at the Zoo, seasonal hiring for2021, food service opportunities at the Zoo and how to apply.To register please visit this link.

REMINDER: Toronto Police Services Board is holding a Virtual Meeting on January 29, 2021 at 11:45am. Members of the public and media are welcome to attend the meeting through their livestream. The agenda for this meeting is available on the Board’s website. Members of the public who wish to make a deputation may register using the regular process, at www.tpsb.ca/meetings/making-a-deputation. The request must be received no later than 12:00pm on Thursday, January 28, 2021.

Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities is hosting a Virtual Tamil Heritage Month Celebration on Saturday January 30^th, 4:30pm to 6:00pm on Zoom. This virtual celebration will showcase Tamil culture and history. There will be live performances, games and presentations that educate and talk about Tamil history. Register for free here.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is hosting a webinar on the 5 keys to a green municipal project business case on February 2, 2021. Learn how to create a compelling business case for green municipal projects. For more information and to register please visit this link.

TTC and YRT 5-Year Fare Policy Survey. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and York Region Transit (YRT) are working together to develop a new integrated fare policy for the next five years. A new fare policy is needed to reflect changes while continuing to provide safe, convenient and reliable transit service for customers and meet the mobility needs of future riders. Have your say and complete this survey before February 18, 2021.

The Federation of Metro Tenants’ Association’ Virtual Tenant School offers free legal workshops for tenants via Zoom. Join sessions on landlord-tenant law, getting repairs done, tenant associations and more. Review the Winter 2021 Tenant School schedule and register for upcoming sessions. For more information and to register please visit this link.

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.

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

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 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

January 27, 2021

My #Update for January 26, 20201 for #COVID in #Ward24 #Scarborough #Toronto

Dear Neighbours,

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update:(Data as of January 25, 2020) There has been an increase of 745 COVID-19 cases in the City with 490 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 83,474 cases of COVID-19, of these, 73,314 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,330 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.

With the significant snowfall today, plan to stay home but if you’re making essential trips, be sure to plan ahead, be patient and travel according to conditions. Know about Snow in Toronto at www.toronto.ca/snow

Further action needed to protect the border and stop the spread of COVID-19. Over 6,800 international travellers have been tested for COVID-19 as part of the Ontario government’s voluntary and free border testing pilot program at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. This program was implemented to help quickly identify and stop the spread of COVID-19 in the province. The province is calling on the federal government to take further action to protect the border, including mandatory testing of all incoming international passengers and a temporary ban on direct flights from countries where new variants are detected. For more information please read this news release.T

he City of Toronto will be hosting a live Ontario Small Business Support Grant Information Webinar on Wednesday January 27, 2021 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. The Ontario Small Business Grant will help businesses that are required to close or restrict services under the new Provincewide shutdown. Register for the webinar for a brief overview of the program, its eligibility requirements and where to apply. For more information and to register please visit this link.

Toronto Police Services Board is holding a Virtual Meeting on January 28, 2021 at 11:45am. Members of the public and media are welcome to attend the meeting through their livestream. The agenda for this meeting is available on the Board’s website. Members of the public who wish to make a deputation may register using the regular process, at www.tpsb.ca/meetings/making-a-deputation. The request must be received no later than 12:00pm on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Toronto District School Board’s Conversation Series is back! TDSB families are invited to join a series of engaging and informative conversations. Hear from leading experts and participate in question and answer sessions online. Tune in on January 30 for a conversation about how children understand race and how adults can help. Learn more 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

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

Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough ScoopCheck out the ESBGC latest Bi-Weekly Scoop HERE. Subscribe HERE

.insidehousing: News from Toronto Community HousingCheck out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

BusinessTO Newsletter: BusinessTO’s upcoming webinars and online eventsCheck 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 EditionCheck 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-newsletterCheck out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Toronto District School Board UpdateCheck out the latest issue HERE.

TDSB Trustee Update by Ward 19 Scarborough-Guildwood Trustee Zakir PatelCheck out the latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Toronto Zoo Press ReleasesLatest 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.

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 

I am continuously updating my social media platforms and my website with up to date information:

Website: www.paulainslie.comYou can also reach me by: telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca

All my Best,

Paul

January 25, 2021

My #COVID #Update for January 25, 2021 for #Ward24 #Scarborough and #Toronto

January 25, 2021 Update Dear Neighbours, I would like to continue to thank everyone for their efforts during these difficult times, I know it has been tough, but we must continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep ourselves and our community safe. It is also important to remember, our mental health is paramount, and that we take care of ourselves and seek support if needed.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update:(Data as of January 24, 2020) There has been an increase of 767 COVID-19 cases in the City with 508 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 82,790 cases of COVID-19, of these, 72,635 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,342 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.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the city’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 – the first confirmed instance of the virus in Toronto, Ontario and all of Canada. The past year has required tremendous sacrifice by all of the people in the city. It remains imperative that we all respect the COVID-19 orders and stay home as much as possible to save lives by reducing opportunities for COVID-19 to spread.

A Province-wide declaration of emergency and stay-at-home orders remain in effect. When you are outside of your home for essential purposes, remember to wear a mask or face covering, practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene. Get the latest information about service changes, COVID-19 vaccination rollout and why it is important to continue following public health measures that reduce virus spread. COVID-19 testing site and vaccine information – Residents can learn more about testing locations in their neighbourhood at www.toronto.ca/covid19testing . If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine please visit the City’s webpage for the latest news and information at www.toronto.ca/covid19vaccine

Ontario adjusts vaccination plan in response to Pfizer-BioNTech shipment delays. On January 19, the federal government notified the province of further reductions in Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shipments. Ontario will not received vaccine deliveries for the week of January 25 and will receive just over 26,000 doses for the first week of February. As of today, Ontario has not been provided its allocation for the weeks of February 8 and 15, 2021.

In response to the significant reduction in distribution by the federal government and the uncertainty of future shipments, the province and vaccination sites have worked together to develop a plan to accelerate vaccination of the province’s most vulnerable. Second doses will continue to be administered based on availability of supply provided by the federal government. Actions being taken include:

Accelerate vaccination of the most vulnerable populations across Ontario with the goal of visiting each home in the province to administer fist does by February 5, 2021, pending delivery dates for the week of February 1, 2021.
Doses of Moderna vaccine will be reallocated to 14 public health units to ensure vaccines are administered at each long-term care home in the province.

For more information please read this news release.

Toronto Public Health working with partners to keep people safe from new COVID-19 variants. Cases of the U.K. B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 that originated in the United Kingdom have been confirmed in Toronto and other parts of the province. In light of this, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is reinforcing the importance of infection prevention and control measures (IPAC) in long-term care homes, retirement homes, correction facilities, shelters, group homes and other congregate living settings, child care centres, and schools that remain open for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning. These measures include:

passive and active screening for visitors and staff;
universal masking; personal protective equipment;
proper hand hygiene;
physical distancing; and
environmental cleaning.

For more information please read this news release.

Toronto Police Service’s Winter Watch Pedestrian Safety Campaign. From Monday, January 25 to Sunday, January 31, all frontline members of the Toronto Police Service will focus on the “Big 4” driver behaviours that are known to cause injuries to all road users – speeding, driving aggressively, driving while distracted and driving while impaired. Winter means fewer daylight hours and reduced visibility for all road users. Over the past three years (2018-2020) 51% of pedestrian fatalities occurred during the months of November to March. This campaign will support Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan. For more information please read this news release.

Toronto District School Board’s Conversation Series is back! TDSB families are invited to join a series of engaging and informative conversations. Hear from leading experts and participate in question and answer sessions online. Tune in on January 30 for a conversation about how children understand race and how adults can help. Learn more here.

Toronto District School Board’s Adult Literacy Program is seeking Volunteer Tutors – Volunteers will tutor reading, writing and math 2 hours each week. If you’re interested please call 416396-5904 or email Stephanie.Schwartz@tdsb.on.ca

Emmanuel Life Management Centre presents Scarborough Food Sharing & Caring – launching Wednesday January 27, 2021 from 142 Chester Le Blvd. Registration is required at 437-886-4694. For more information please see this flyer. For more information on foodbanks, soup kitchens in Scarborough please see the links below.