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.
To join the meeting at the time of the event:
Please send us your questions for our special guest, Dr. Isaac Bogoch, Infectious Disease Specialist at Toronto General Hospital before February 22 at 4:00pm:
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of February 15, 2021) There has been an increase of 334 COVID-19 cases in the City with 369 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 93,185 cases of COVID-19, of these, 86,245 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,560 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 Toronto Public Health unit remains under the shutdown and stay-at-home orders until February 22, 2021 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.
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 returning 27 Public Health Regions to Strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework. The Ontario government is transitioning 27 public health regions out of the shutdown into a revised and strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open as of Today, February 16, 2021. The four remaining public health regions, Toronto, Peel, York and North Bay Parry Sound will remain in the shutdown and the stay-at-home orderand all existing public health and workplace safety measures will continue to apply. For more information please read this news release.
An Extreme Cold Weather Alert (ECWA) is in effect in Toronto today, in anticipation of the cold weather conditions within the next 24 hours. The ECWA will be in effect until further notice. The City has activated its Warming Centres on February 7 and they will remain open during the ECWA. The Warming Centres are located at the following:
- 129 Peter St.
- 5800 Yonge St.
- Exhibition Place, Better Living Centre, 159 Princes’ Blvd.
- Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr.
The City asks residents to contact 311 if they see a person experiencing homelessness in need of assistance and the City will dispatch an outreach team to investigate. If the person is in distress or needs immediate assistance, call 911. Throughout the year, 24-hour respite sites provide meals, places to rest, and service referrals at locations across the city. People can call 311 for locations and to connect to Central Intake for a referral. Homeless Help lists site information at toronto.ca/homelesshelp. For more information please read this news release.
City of Toronto applauds health care partners for completing second vaccination doses for Toronto long-term care residents and staff. As Tuesday, February 16, seven health care partners and the City of Toronto will have offered COVID-19 immunization clinics to administer the second dose of vaccine at all 87 long-term care homes in Toronto. This vaccination milestone, protecting some of the city’s most vulnerable residents, represents a significant achievement in the City’s ongoing response to the pandemic. For more information please read this news release.
Beginning Tuesday, February 16, 10 of the City of Toronto’s recreation facilities will open to allow individuals with disabilities to access physical therapy while Toronto remains in lockdown. Under provincial regulations, participants will be required to provide a medical certificate issued by a regulated medical practitioner attesting to a disability as defined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Participants will need to make an appointment in advance and present their medical certificate each time they attend. Visits will be limited to 90 minutes. Appointments can be made by calling the recreation centre directly, beginning Tuesday, February 16. The list of the City’s community centre locations that will open to individuals with disabilities can be found here. More information about registration can be found here.
Centennial College, Scarborough Health Network, Toronto Zoo and University of Toronto Scarborough launch the Scarborough Hero Awards. This new awards initiative aims to recognize those who have gone above and beyond to serve the local community in very substantive and impactful ways. In 200 words or less, you are invited to nominate a #ScarbTOHero deserving recognition for the extraordinary actions they have taken over the past year to support he community during COVID-19. For more information and to submit a nominee please visit www.scarbtohero.com. The nomination process closes at 11:59pm on March 21, 2021.
At its February 10, 2021 meeting, the Toronto Transit Commission Board approved decommissioning the Scarborough RT in 2023 and providing accessible replacement bus service until the Scarborough Extension opens. A dedicated webpage has been created with FAQs, news releases and reports. The SRT Life Extension Project page is now live on the TTC’s website.
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.
CultureTO Newsletter: Focus on available resources and supports for Toronto’s culture sector.
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