January 22, 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 21, 2020) There has been an increase of 831 COVID-19 cases in the City with 504 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 80,541 cases of COVID-19, of these, 70,181 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,276 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.
The Province of Ontario’s state of emergency and stay-at-home orders remain in effect for Toronto and across the province. The City urges all people to respect the COVID-19 orders and stay at 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.
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 7p.m., the City of Toronto will open its Warming Centres to help those experiencing homelessness. The centres give a safe indoor and warm place to rest and access snacks, washroom 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 with the City issues an Extreme Cold Weather Alert (ECWQ) based on a forecast of minus 15 degrees Celsius or colder. While the temperature forecast is not expected to reach this threshold, the City is activating the Warming Centre tonight in an abundance of caution due to colder nighttime temperatures, forecasted windchill and expected snow. For more information please read this news release.
City of Toronto traffic data shows more people are staying home to fight COVID-19. Today, the City released traffic data to help show the impact of the ongoing lockdown. There are three key traffic monitoring measures City staff rely on including traffic congestion, traffic volume and traffic counts of cars and pedestrians. The data confirms that vehicle traffic continues to be at its lowest observed levels since Stage 1 Reopening back in May and June 2020 but is still higher than conditions observed during the initial lockdown last spring. Traffic conditions in the first two days since additional restrictions were imposed by the Province were similar to the days immediately preceding this period. More information can be read in this news release.
City of Toronto advises that winter sightings of coyotes are normal in parts of Toronto. Coyote habitats typically include ravines, forests and large parks, residents who live near theses areas can expect to see more coyotes during the winter. At this time of year, it is easier to sot coyotes in parks and ravines, as they are not hidden by foliage. Most interactions with coyotes in Toronto are the result of a nearby, regular food source, especially intentional feeding by people. Feeding wild animals, including coyotes, is detrimental and can create problems for the neighbourhood. To minimize negative encounters with coyotes, residents should remember the following:
- Never feed coyotes and don’t leave food, including pet food, outside.
- Properly dispose of garbage and waste at home and at parks.
- When encountering a coyote, do not run but make noise to scare the coyote away.
- Do not approach coyotes, their dens or their young.
- Do not touch coyotes, even if they appear tame, sick or injured.
For more information on the City’s coyote response please visit www.toronto.ca/coyote
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/budgetT
oronto 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.
Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities is hosting a Virtual Tamil Heritage Month Celebration on Saturday January 30th, 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.
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 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-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.
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