January 20, 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 we take care of ourselves and seek support if its needed.
Thank you to everyone who participated in my Budget Town Hall, and for sending in your questions and comments! If you missed the live event, this meeting will be posted to my YouTube channel!
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update:(Data as of January 19, 2020) There has been an increase of 981 COVID-19 cases in the City with 484 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 78,819 cases of COVID-19, of these, 68,290 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,246 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 is in effect. Stay home and only go out for essential reasons. Remember when you are outside of your home for essential purposes, be sure 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
Scarborough Health Network offers walk-in COVID-19 testing at Scarborough Village Recreation Centre. The Pop-up Assessment Centre will be held at Scarborough Village Recreation Centre, located at 3600 Kingston Rd, from 9am to 6pm every Thursday starting January 21, 2021. Learn more at www.shn.ca/covid19-popup
City of Toronto report outlines plan for bigger and better CafeTO program in 2021 to help local restaurants. The report, which will be considered at the Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday, January 27, includes details about the CafeTO – a quick-start pandemic response program launched last summer – and outlines key findings and outcomes along with recommendations on how to ensure the program is bigger and better this year. The report indicates that the City would again work with BIAs, local restaurant and bar owners to make enhancements such as updated registration processes, comprehensive and safe traffic management plans, support for quick CafeTO installations and more.
The report also includes details about the CurbTO program which calls for City staff to be prepared to work with health officials and local business owners to continue the CurbTO program. The full CafeTO and CurbTO – Pandemic Response Programs report is available online.
City of Toronto report on policing recommends pilots for community safety and crisis response program to be considered at January 27 Executive Committee meeting.These pilot programs would allow for non-police led response for non-emergency, non-violent calls including those involving persons in crisis and for wellness checks. If approved by Council, three pilots will be implemented in Northwest Toronto, North East Toronto, and Downtown East. A fourth pilot will serve Indigenous communities, recognizing the history of Indigenous peoples and their negative experiences with policing. This pilot will be Indigenous-led and co-developed with Indigenous communities. The full report is available online.
The City of Toronto’s Budget Committee began the process of reviewing the staff-recommended tax-supported operating and capital budgets for 2021. The public can share their feedback with the Budget Committee at public presentations, scheduled to take place on January 25 and 26. More information about how to make a deputation is available at app.toronto.ca/tmmis/index.do. Budget notes, presentations and reports are available at www.toronto.ca/budget
Calling All Educators and At-Home Learners – Your Toronto Zoo wants to keep students connected in science and share information about wildlife conservation. On Thursday January 21, 2021 visit the for FREE curriculum related virtual programs covering topics from shapes and patterns in the wild to animal live cycles, to biodiversity and habitats. Learn more here.T
oronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy launches phase two of Zoo Food For Life fundraising campaign. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact your Toronto Zoo’s operations and revenue sources into 2021. Toronto Zoo and Terra Lumina have been closed to the public since November 23rd, 2020 until further notice and the $1 million annual cost of food for our 5,000 animals is normally funded through our paid guest parking. Phase two of our Zoo Food For Life campaign will help to offset lost revenues and ensure funding for the Zoo’s Nutrition Program in 2021.For more information please visit www.wildlifeconservancy.ca/food.
Applications are now open for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. The program provides up to $20,000 to eligible small businesses that are required to close or significantly restrict services under the province-wide shutdown. New businesses established since April 2019 can apply if they meet other eligibility criteria. For help applying check out the user application guide, or contact the City’s BusinessTO Support Centre for one-on-one virtual support.
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.
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 ScoopCheck out the ESBGC latest Bi-Weekly Scoop HERE. Subscribe HERE.insidehousing: N
ews from Toronto Community HousingCheck out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.*NEW* BusinessTO Newsletter: BusinessTO’s upcoming webinars and online eventsCheck out their latest newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE. T
ransformTO 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.
Essential Government Information for COVID-19Public 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 TorontoProvince of OntarioGovernment of CanadaWorld Health OrganizationOfficial 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.comYou can also reach me by: telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul