February 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.
To join the meeting at the time of the event:
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of February 21, 2021) There has been an increase of 366 COVID-19 cases in the City with 338 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 95,293 cases of COVID-19, of these, 88,746 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,616 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.
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
The Toronto Public Health region remains under the shutdown and stay-at-home orders until at least March 9, 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 COVID-19 regulations and lockdown guide.
CaféTO registration opens this Friday, February 26 at 9am. The first window will remain open for a full month, until Friday, March 26, and the second window will open immediately afterward. Local restaurant and bar operators interested in expanding their outdoor dining space into the curb lane and onto sidewalks can register online using a clear process. Pending public health orders, approved CaféTO curb lane locations from the first window would be installed as soon as mid-May – almost two months earlier than last year and in time for the May long weekend. More information can be read in this news release.
A CaféTO online webinar for local operators is planned for Tuesday, March 2 at 9:30am. Local restaurant and bar operators interested in expanding their outdoor dining space into the curb lane, sidewalks and on private property can learn about program guidelines, timelines, new program features and next steps for participating in this year’s program. Previous CaféTO participants should also attend to learn about program changes and enhancements. Sign up for the webinar here. Details about CafeTO, including how to register, are available here.
The City of Toronto is working closely with Toronto Public Health (TPH) and The Salvation Army to manage an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Maxwell Meighen Centre, a shelter funded by the City and operated by The Salvation Army. As of today, there are 29 cases, which have all screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC). The samples are currently undergoing whole genome sequencing by Public Health Ontario to identify the variant strain. TPH declared an outbreak at Maxwell Meighen on February 3, 2021. An outbreak is defined as two or more positive cases, within a 14-day period, that are epidemiologically linked to a specific shelter setting. All clients who have tested positive have been sent to a dedicated isolation/recovery site with supports to recover. For more information please read this news release.
City of Toronto providing financial relief for taxicab industry. As part of the 2021 budget approval process, Toronto City Council voted to provide a temporary reduction in the renewal fees and regulatory charges for Taxicab and Limousine Vehicle-for-Hire licensing categories. This initiative will assist up to 8,670 drivers in the city. This $2.47 million support will enable the following:
- a 50 percent reduction of the renewal fees, until further City Council direction, with a credit provided for any renewal fees due and paid following January 1, 2021 for the taxicab industry;
- a temporary reduction in the regulatory charges for the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund Program by 75 percent for 2021;
- a reinstatement of any expired and cancelled taxicab licences from 2020 for the non-payment of renewal fees and extension of the deadline for payment until December 31, 2021; and
- a suspension of the cancellation of vehicle-for-hire licences for non-payment of renewal fees in 2021, with a report back on a payment-deferral application process.
For more information on taxi licencing, visit here. Residents are encouraged to learn more about the impact of their property tax investment by viewing the reports and presentations available here.
Toronto Public Library celebrates Freedom to Read Week. Freedom to Read week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom and the protection of privacy. Learn more at this page.
Reminder: Celebrate Toronto’s Virtual Seedy Saturday on February 27, 2021 from 10am to 2pm! Virtual Seedy Saturday promises to be full of great gardening and growing advice. There will be links to seed and gardening companies, a resource library, webinars by gardening experts, a live question/answer forum, kids activities and info re local seed exchanges. More information at www.seedysaturday.ca/toronto.
Reminder: City of Toronto is reviewing the rules for election signs in Toronto. Have your say on election sign rules in Toronto! Share your input through an online survey by 11:59pm March 3, 2021. Your feedback will inform a review of the bylaw regulating election signs in Toronto. Take the survey here.
Have your say on the GO Rail Network Electrification Environmental Project Report Addendum. The EPR Addendum for the GO Rail Network Electrification project is available for a 30-day public review period starting Tomorrow, February 23. Please review the EPR and associated technical reports at this link. Interested persons are encouraged to review the document(s) and provide comments by March 24, 2021. For more information and where to submit your comments can be found on this page.
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,