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
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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: 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.
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:
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.comYou can also reach me by: telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul