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 22, 2021) There has been an increase of 373 COVID-19 cases in the City with 333 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 95,640 cases of COVID-19, of these, 89,057 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,619 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.
City of Toronto announces the next two affordable supportive housing sites as part of Phase Two of its Modular Housing Initiative. The two sites announced today will create approximately 128 modular homes, 64 at each of the City-owned sites, which are located at 175 Cummer Ave., next to Willowdale Manor, and on the corner lot at Trenton Ave. and Cedarvale Ave. The new modular homes will provide stable, affordable housing and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness. For more information please read this news release.
Residents will have an opportunity to learn more about the Modular Housing Initiative and to provide input into design elements during upcoming virtual community engagement sessions beginning the week of March 8. Details on how to participate in this process are being mailed to residents and are also available on the Modular Housing Initiative website: www.toronto.ca/modularhousing
Toronto District School Board Virtual Ward Forum: Chat with Interim Director, Karen Falconer on Thursday February 25, 7:00pm to 8:00pm. The meeting will be hosted on a Zoom conferencing platform. Registration is required. Registrants will be sent a meeting invite with a link and call-in details for the meeting. Please visit this link to register for the meeting.
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.
The City of Toronto is hosting a webinar for restaurant and bar operators who are interested in the CaféTO 2021 program on March 2, 9:30am. 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. Register here.
Election Signs Survey: 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.
SafeTO Survey: The City of Toronto is currently in the process of developing an updated Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan called SafeTO. This plan will guide how social systems that serve Torontonians such as community services, healthcare systems, justice systems and police work together to meet community needs by changing how we think about safety. Provide your input by taking this survey by March 5, 2021.
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 Today, 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.
Creative Co-Location Facilities Property Tax Subclass Designation. Live music venues play an integral role in Toronto’s vibrant cultural scene. As part of the City of Toronto’s COVID-19 recovery efforts, venues can apply for a property tax reduction via the Creative Co-Location Facilities Property Tax Subclass. Deadline is March 15, 2021. More information is available here.
Nominate your Scarborough Hero Today! Do you know someone who lives or works in Scarborough who deserves some recognition for their extraordinary actions over the past year? If so, visit www.ScarbTOHero.com to submit a nomination for one of the seven categories! Submit your nominations by March 21, 2021.
Restaurant operators are encouraged to add their restaurant to Destination Toronto’s ToGoToronto.com, a free listing of more than 700 Toronto restaurants that are open for safe takeout, delivery and patios as public health restrictions allow. The platform was created by Destination Toronto in partnership with the City to continue to support the economic recovery of the restaurant community.
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.
*NEW* 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