March 5, 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 March 4, 2021) There has been an increase of 420 COVID-19 cases in the City with 274 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 98,861 cases of COVID-19, of these, 92,571 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,677 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, the Government of Ontario announced that the Toronto Public Health Region is transitioning into the Grey-Lockdown level of the revised COVID-19 Response Framework on Monday, March 8 at 12:01am. Regardless of the zone colour, all people should continue to stay home as much as possible and always follow public health guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and another lockdown. Changes in the Grey Zone include:
- Gatherings: Indoor gatherings remain limited to members of the same household; outdoor gatherings where physical distancing can be maintained are limited to 10 people; and religious services where physical distancing can be maintained are limited to 10 people indoors or outdoors.
- Retail: In-person shopping will be permitted subject to capacity limits of 50% capacity for supermarkets, pharmacies, and grocery stores and 25% capacity for other retail stores.
I encourage everyone to visit the City’s website to review the Response Framework Zone Changes and changes to City services. For more information please read this news release.
COVID-19 Testing Information: If you have one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or think you may have been exposed to the virus please take the Ministry of Health’s self-assessment. Residents can learn more about testing locations in their neighbourhood at www.toronto.ca/covid19testing.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information: If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and the City’s Immunization program please visit the City’s COVID-19 Vaccine webpage. For more information, please review the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan at this webpage.
Ontario is preparing to move into Phase Two of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan next month, with focus on vaccinating populations based on age and risk. This approach is designed to save lives, protect those at risk of serious illness and stop the virus from spreading. With vaccine supply stabilizing and over two million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine expected from the federal government before the end of March, the province to enter Phase Two of its vaccine rollout. Between April 2021 and July 2021, up to nine million Ontarians will be vaccinated. During Phase Two, groups that will receive the vaccine include:
- Older adults between 60-79 years of age.
- Individuals with specific health conditions and some primary caregivers.
- People who live and work in congregate settings and some primary caregivers.
- People who live in hot spots with high rates of death, hospitalization, and transmission.
- Certain workers who cannot work from home.
Please review this backgrounder for more details on populations that are eligible for Phase Two. For more information please read this news release.
City of Toronto health sector partners making progress vaccinating Toronto residents 80 years of age and older. On February 14, the Province amended their prioritization framework for COVID-19 vaccination to include 80 years of age and over living independently in the community. Hospital and health sector partners have since included a small number of Torontonians born in 1941 or earlier living in the community in their local vaccine clinics to test operations as their respective vaccine availability permits. More than 36,000 vaccine doses have been given to people over age 80 in Toronto by hospital and clinic partners, including seniors who live in congregate care settings who were already part of the Province’s first phase of vaccine rollout.
Wider availability of COVID-19 vaccines for those who are born in 1941 and earlier will occur once more vaccines are available, and the provincial appointment and scheduling system is online. The Province’s centralized online booking system is expected to launch on March 15. The Province will also be launching a dedicated call centre to serve people who are unable to use the online appointment system. A fact sheet, What seniors need to know about COVID-19 vaccinations, is available on the City’s website. For more information please read this news release.
City of Toronto’s Natural Ice Rink program helps residents stay active this winter! As part of its Welcome T.O. Winter parks plan this season, the City of Toronto worked closely with community groups to facilitate 46 natural ice rinks in parks across the city. This winter, the City worked closely with Toronto Public Health to develop guidelines for natural ice rinks intended to slow the spread of COVID-19, including signage developed and installed at rinks to remind skaters of physical distancing and mask wearing. Toronto-based director Kelsey Larkin created a short video about the natural ice rink at Dovercourt Park, which documents the efforts of community volunteers and City employees. More information about the natural ice rink program, including health guidelines, signage and locations please visit this page.
New locations for City of Toronto’s Automated Speed Enforcement devices in May! The 50 Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) devices will begin rotating to the third round of locations in May to reduce speeding at more areas with safety concerns, encourage a wide-ranging deterrent effect and raise public awareness about the need to slow down and obey posted speed limits. The ASE’s third round of locations in Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood are located on Military Trail, near 341 Military Trail and on Gatesview Avenue, east of Cedar Drive. For more information on the ASE program and the third round of locations across the city please read this news release.
Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities is hosting a COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall on March 10 at 6:00pm. The town hall will discuss commonly asked questions and will feature a panel consisting of health care workers from physicians and outreach workers to provide you the information you need to be safe. Registration is required – please register here.
The deadline for Toronto Arts Council grant applications is coming up on March 8! Toronto Arts Council provides grants to artists and arts organizations that contribute to the cultural life of Toronto. Applications to all programs are submitted through Toronto Arts Council’s online grants management system.
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 9, 2021.
Community Engagement Review: Help shape how the City of Toronto engages communities around new shelters and other services for people experiencing homelessness. Residents interested in providing input to the Community Engagement Review can participate in a virtual focus group or participate in an anonymous online survey, open until March 11, 2021. For more information please visit the Welcoming New Shelters web page.
Grass and Weeds Bylaw Review: The Grass and Weeds Bylaw requires that grass and weeds on private property must be maintained so that growth does not exceed 20 cm in height. However, property owners or occupants can apply for a permit to be exempted from this requirement if they have a natural garden. The City would like to know what you think about the current process to get a permit for your natural garden. Please share your thoughts by sending an email to MLSFeedback@toronto.ca by Wednesday, March 31.
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.
*NEW* 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