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 March 1, 2021) There has been an increase of 295 COVID-19 cases in the City with 300 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 97,931 cases of COVID-19, of these, 91,483 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,660 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.
The City of Toronto proclaims March 1 to 5 Black Mental Health Week in Toronto. Throughout the week, various events planned by community groups and agencies will focus on the impact that anti-Black racism has on mental health. Learn more about Black Mental Health Week events, activities and resources in this news release.
The Extreme Cold Weather Alert (ECWA) has been terminated for Toronto. Out of an abundance of caution, due to colder nighttime temperatures and forecasted wind chill values, the warming centres at 5800 Yonge St. and Exhibition Place, Better Living Centre, 195 Princes’ Blvd. The warming centre at Scarborough Civic Centre closed today at noon and the warming centre at 129 Peter St. remains closed. Find out about services for those experiencing homelessness and under-housed individuals at toronto.ca/homelesshelp. More information and tips for staying warm during cold weather are available online. Information to help residents prepare for extreme weather and weatherproof their homes is available at toronto.ca/extremeweatherready.
City-operated childcare centre temporarily closed as two employees test positive for COVID-19. Two City employees working at Alexandra Park Early Learning & Child Care Centre (ELCCC) have recently tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Due to operational factors, the City-operated childcare centre will be temporarily closed while staff members self-isolate to monitor for symptoms and the children isolate at home and monitor for symptoms as a precaution. Rooms at the centre are being cleaned and sanitized during this closure. The centre will reopen following Toronto Public Health’s advice and after cleaning is completed. The City is advising the public of this temporary closure in the interest of transparency. For more information please read this news release.
The City of Toronto advises residents to avoid contact with racoons to protect against injury and rabies. Physical contact includes feeding or petting raccoons and other wild animals, and other interactions which may be otherwise avoidable. Residents who may have had physical contact with a raccoon or another wild animal should see a healthcare provider immediately to be assessed. While the risk of rabies is low in Toronto, the disease is fatal if left untreated. Residents are urged to avoid contact with wild animals and to take steps to protect themselves and their pets from exposure. Residents should remember to not feed wild animals, stay away from all wild animals, ensure your pets’ rabies vaccination are up to date, always supervise dogs and keep all pets away from wild animals. More tips and information on raccoons and how to wildlife proof homes please visit this webpage and for more information on rabies please visit this webpage.
LocalLicious by SaveHospitality.ca! Support your local restaurants by participating in LocalLicious. Purchase a 3-course prix fixe menu and $1 will support a local charity. Find participating restaurants at www.SaveHospitality.ca. LocalLicious is runs until March 7, 2021!
Join this week’s SCRO “Our Scarborough” Speaker Series on COVID-19 and the Community, featuring Elizabeth Buller, President and CEO of Scarborough Health Network. Register Now. This event takes place on Thursday March 4, 2021 starting at 6:30pm with networking and highlights, with the main session with Elizabeth Buller starting at 7:00pm.
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.
Fireworks Bylaw Review Survey: The City is undertaking a review of the Fireworks Bylaw to explore opportunities for enhanced public education to support safe and compliant use of fireworks. Residents can provide feedback on firework regulations in Toronto via an online survey: Fireworks Bylaw Review. The survey will remain open until March 5, 2021.
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.
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.
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