Month: October 2021

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My #COVID Update for #Ward24 #Scarborough and #Toronto on October 13, 2021

Dear Neighbours,

I would like to thank all Team Toronto partners for making getting vaccinated against COVID-19 as easy as possible and thank you Toronto for rolling up your sleeves and getting vaccinated. Find a daily mobile vaccination clinic near you or walk into a City-run vaccination clinic for your first or second dose. Visit the COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated page for more details.

I would like to remind everyone that the Toronto East Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) group will be testing the community siren in Toronto East on Wednesday, October 20th at 2:05pm. As a safety measure, Toronto East CAER regularly tests their community siren systems that are designed to alert residents in the event of an emergency. The siren test is a great time for families and local businesses to test their emergency preparedness. Residents are encouraged to listen out for the siren sounds, identify the meaning and practice their emergency response. See this flyer for more details.  

*NEW* City of Toronto report recommends TAS as long-term lessee to revitalize Wellington Destructor site and create a community hub – News Release.  A report to the General Government and Licensing Committee (GGLC) details the terms of the proposed 49-year lease and two options for extensions of 25 years each. The report will be considered at the October 20 GGLC meeting and, if adopted, will be considered by City Council at the November 9 and 10 Council meeting.

*UPDATE* What’s On at the Library – COVID-19 Impacts! Toronto Public Libraries are now open on Sundays again! Starting this coming Sunday, October 17, many library branches will be open on Sundays from 1:30pm to 5:00pm. Full details are available at www.tpl.ca/sundayhours.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case & Vaccination Update: (Data as of October 13, 2021) Case status and vaccination dose data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.

87 – Newly Reported COVID-19 Cases 1,054 – Total number of Active COVID-19 Cases 50 – Hospitalized Cases (Cumulative)  179,940 – Number of COVID-19 Cases in Toronto (Cumulative)175,202 – Number of Recovered COVID-19 Cases in Toronto 3,684 – Number of COVID-19 Fatal Cases in Toronto 4,780,520 COVID-19 – Vaccine doses administered in Toronto

Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Pop-Ups and Mobile Clinics in Scarborough!

Clinics by Scarborough Health Network. Full details at www.scarbvaccine.ca.

  • Fridays in October | 1pm to 8pm | Agincourt Mall, 3850 Sheppard Ave E
  • Fridays & Saturdays in October | 12pm to 6pm | Bridlewood Mall, 2900 Warden Ave
  • Fridays & Saturdays in October | 12pm to 6pm | 3495 Lawrence Ave E
  • Fridays & Saturdays in October | 12pm to 6pm | Parkway Mall, 85 Ellesmere Rd

TTC x East Toronto Health Partners Pop-Up Clinics. More details here.

  • Oct 14 & 15 | 8am to 8pm | Victoria Park Station, 777 Victoria Park Ave

Team Toronto’s Shop And Vax 2.0. More information is available here.

The City of Toronto remains in Step Three of the province’s Roadmap to Reopen. Full details on Step Three restrictions are available on the “Reopening” Ontario webpage. Please review the City’s COVID-19 Reopening Guide for Toronto Residents for a list of activities permitted in Step Three.

The province of Ontario’s proof of vaccination requirement regulations remain in effect. You can download and print out your vaccination receipts off of the provincial portal. You can also call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-833-943-3900 for further assistance. More details are available here.

City of Toronto run mass vaccination clinics: Vaccine eligibility is now expanded to youth born in 2009. Walk-in vaccinations and appointments are available at City-run clinics for first or second doses from Tuesday to Saturday from 1pm to 7pm. Full details at www.toronto.ca/covid19. 

School Immunization Program Update: In addition to the COVID-19 vaccination program, all of the City-run immunization clinics will administer other critical immunization programs. Parents and students can now book an appointment to get their vaccines at city-run immunization sites at www.TPHbookings.ca.

Scarborough Health Network Community Vaccine Clinic & Eligibility: Eligible individuals for a 1st, 2nd or 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose can book now at www.scarbvaccine.ca 

COVID-19 Pharmacy Vaccine Locations & Eligibility: Full details on eligibility and pharmacy locations administering the COVID-19 vaccine can be found here.

Where to get accurate COVID-19 information:

Councillor Ainslie’s Community Survey: As a member of the Toronto Board of Health, I would like to get your feedback on your experience communicating and engaging with Toronto Public Health. Please complete this short survey here to submit your feedback!

Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit Project – Public Information Centre #4. The Virtual events for the Public Information Centre #4 will be held from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on October 21, 26 and 28, 2021. Online engagement will be open from Thursday, October 14 to November 11, 2021. Register for and attend one of the virtual events on Metrolinx Engage at www.metrolinxengage.com/DSBRT.

RapidTO: Have your say! The City of Toronto will be using a three-phased consultation to develop and deliver RapidTO: Bus & Streetcar Priority. To participate you can complete this survey by November 28 or participate in a virtual public meeting on October 26 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. For more information and how to participate please visit this webpage.  

Changes are coming to Line 3 service and we want to hear from you! You can complete the survey at www.line3bus.ca/survey until October 29.

Review of Parking Requirements for New Development Survey – the project team is conducting a survey to gather public and industry feedback on the City’s proposed changes to parking requirements for new and expanded development. Take the survey here.

Become a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion! Residents and community leaders are invited to help inspire climate action in Toronto by becoming Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions. Learn more and apply by October 25 at www.toronto.ca/livegreen.

City of Toronto PollinateTO Grants! The City is now accepting applications for its PollinateTO Grants! Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support community-led initiatives that create or expand pollinator habitats on public and private lands in Toronto. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2021. Learn more and apply at www.livegreentoronto.ca. 

Community Events

  • Guildwood Presbyterian Church’s Annual Village Fair

October 16 | see this flyer for more details

  • Clark Centre for the Arts Preview Tours

October 16 to November 21 | 10am to 4pm

Registration is required online or by calling 416-396-7378

  • Toronto East CAER Community Siren Test

October 20 | 2:05pm | When you hear the siren, you must shelter in place, go inside and close all doors. See this poster for more details.

  • 2021 Virtual Public Forum on Accessible Transit

October 21 | 7pm to 7pm

Click here to register for the event.

  • *NEW* Indigenous Entrepreneurship Virtual Forum

October 26 | 9:30am to 3:30pm
Register for the event for FREE.

  • City of Toronto Community Environment Days – Scarborough Drop-Off Depot

October 31 | 10am to 2pm | 1 Transfer Pl

Please click here for a list of food banks and soup kitchens in 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

I am continuously updating my social media platforms and my website:

 

You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca

All my Best,  

Paul

Posted on

My #COVID Update on October 4, 2021 for #Ward24 #Scarborough and #Toronto

Dear Neighbours,

I would like to thank all Team Toronto partners for making getting vaccinated against COVID-19 as easy as possible and thank you Toronto for rolling up your sleeves and getting vaccinated. Find a daily mobile vaccination clinic near you or walk into a City-run vaccination clinic for your first or second dose. Visit the COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated page for more details.

Today, October 4 is the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls. Let us honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and continue to raise awareness of the injustices faced by Canada’s Indigenous women.

REMINDER: Thanksgiving Donations – As Thanksgiving approaches, remember those who are less fortunate and rely on our hardworking food banks and soup kitchens for help. Please see my list of food banks and soup kitchens in Ward 24 and consider donating bulk food items, or volunteer your time to them.

As of today, Toronto Employment & Social Services’ offices are reopening to provide in-person services to low-income residents. In-person service hours remain 9:00am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. Visitors may experience a wait before being able to enter the office (due to capacity limits). Locations in Ward 24 include:

  • Scarborough Village – 3660 Kingston Road | 416-392-2800.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case & Vaccination Update: (Data as of October 4, 2021) Case status and vaccination dose data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.

346 – Newly Reported COVID-19 Cases 1,243 – Total number of Active COVID-19 Cases 56 – Hospitalized Cases (Cumulative)  179,083 – Number of COVID-19 Cases in Toronto (Cumulative)174,174 – Number of Recovered COVID-19 Cases in Toronto 3,666 – Number of COVID-19 Fatal Cases in Toronto 4,746,400 COVID-19 – Vaccine doses administered in Toronto

Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Pop-Ups and Mobile Clinics in Scarborough!

Clinics by Scarborough Health Network. Full details at www.scarbvaccine.ca.

  • Fridays in October | 1pm to 8pm | Agincourt Mall, 3850 Sheppard Ave E
  • Fridays & Saturdays in October | 12pm to 6pm | Bridlewood Mall, 2900 Warden Ave
  • Fridays & Saturdays in October | 12pm to 6pm | 3495 Lawrence Ave E
  • Fridays & Saturdays in October | 12pm to 6pm | Parkway Mall, 85 Ellesmere Rd

TTC x East Toronto Health Partners Pop-Up Clinics. More details here.

  • Oct 5, 6 & 7 | 8am to 8pm | Warden Station, 701 Warden Ave
  • Oct 5, 6 & 7 | 8am to 8pm | 777 Victoria Park Ave

Clinics by Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities. More details here.

  • Oct 6 | 12pm to 2pm | Progress Church, 4242 Kingston Road

The City of Toronto remains in Step Three of the province’s Roadmap to Reopen. Full details on Step Three restrictions are available on the “Reopening” Ontario webpage. Please review the City’s COVID-19 Reopening Guide for Toronto Residents for a list of activities permitted in Step Three.

The province of Ontario’s proof of vaccination requirement regulations remain in effect. You can download and print out your vaccination receipts off of the provincial portal. You can also call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-833-943-3900 for further assistance. More details are available here.

City of Toronto run mass vaccination clinics: Vaccine eligibility is now expanded to youth born in 2009. Walk-in vaccinations and appointments are available at City-run clinics for first or second doses from Tuesday to Saturday from 1pm to 7pm. Full details at www.toronto.ca/covid19. 

School Immunization Program Update: In addition to the COVID-19 vaccination program, all of the City-run immunization clinics will administer other critical immunization programs. Parents and students can now book an appointment to get their vaccines at city-run immunization sites at www.TPHbookings.ca.

Scarborough Health Network Community Vaccine Clinic & Eligibility: Eligible individuals for a 1st, 2nd or 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose can book now at www.scarbvaccine.ca 

COVID-19 Pharmacy Vaccine Locations & Eligibility: Full details on eligibility and pharmacy locations administering the COVID-19 vaccine can be found here.

Where to get accurate COVID-19 information:

Toronto News

*NEW* Rapid: Have your say! The City of Toronto will be using a three-phased consultation to develop and deliver RapidTO: Bus & Streetcar Priority. To participate you can complete this survey by November 28 or participate in a virtual public meeting on October 26 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. For more information and how to participate please visit this webpage.  

*NEW* TDSB Highschool Life Hacks Program for Newcomer Youth. This program promises to give them a better start this new year in high school. It is an online fun and interactive high school readiness program lead by peer leaders and guidance counsellor. This program takes place on October 5 & 6, 2021 from 5pm to 7pm. Register here to receive the meeting information.

*NEW* Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit Project – Public Information Centre #4. The Virtual events for the Public Information Centre #4 will be held from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on October 21, 26 and 28, 2021. Online engagement will be open from Thursday, October 14 to November 11, 2021. Register for and attend one of the virtual events on Metrolinx Engage at www.metrolinxengage.com/DSBRT.

Become a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion! Residents and community leaders are invited to help inspire climate action in Toronto by becoming Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions. Participants will receive training and support to empower them to support residents in developing innovative climate action projects that reflect the needs and values of their communities. Learn more and apply by October 25 at www.toronto.ca/livegreen.

Your feedback is important! The City of Toronto is seeking your feedback on the draft Digital Infrastructure Plan, using this online tool until October 19. The City is also hosting Drop-In Session: Talk with the Project Team on October 6, 11:30am to 1:00pm; and October 13, 4:00pm to 5:30pm. For further information, including access to the draft DIP and drop-in sessions please visit the project web page: www.Toronto.ca/DigitalTO

5n2 Looking for Donations of Large Trays! Ward 24’s Soup Kitchen “5n2” is looking for donations of large trays (approximately one by two feet, or the size of a large casserole dish, that serves 10+) to help serve their community partners and feed families in Scarborough. 5n2 would greatly appreciate any donations. For more information or questions, please contact them directly at: (416)-551-0910 or info@5n2.ca. 5n2 is located at Units 4/5B-2050 Ellesmere Road (near Markham and Ellesmere Roads).

City of Toronto PollinateTO Grants! The City is now accepting applications for its PollinateTO Grants! Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support community-led initiatives that create or expand pollinator habitats on public and private lands in Toronto. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2021. Learn more and apply at www.livegreentoronto.ca. 

Review of Parking Requirements for New Development Survey – the project team is conducting a survey to gather public and industry feedback on the City’s proposed changes to parking requirements for new and expanded development. Take the survey here.

Share your comments on regulations for taxis, limousines and private transportation like Facedrive, Lyft and Uber. Topics being explored include driver training, licensing fees, safety measures and more. If you would like to comment on any of the topics, please email vehicleforhirereview@toronto.ca. The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 8. More information is available here.

The Reading Partnership proudly moves into their 10th year of service with an epic collaboration with Pinball Clemons Foundation for the ‘Literacy Liberates’ – this year’s theme. Until October 15th, the Pinball Clemons Foundation will match all donations made to The Reading Partnership dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000, as part of our Literacy Liberates $100K Challenge. Learn more and donate here.

The CNE introduced their new virtual EXperience, CNE Connected! CNE Connected is a membership with both free and paid virtual content packed with online experiences from Canadian performers/artists, kids content creators, local chefs and much more that goes beyond September! Visit www.cneconnected.com for more information.

Programs

  • Join Kids ReadTO’s virtual book club for kids ages 9-12

Tuesdays at 5pm from October 19 to November 23 | Register here by October 1, 2021

Community Events

  • Football Day with The Good Guides & TPS 43 Division

October 9 | 10am to 1pm | Ellesmere Reservoir Park, 2950 Ellesmere Rd

See this poster for more details.

  • Guildwood Presbyterian Church’s Annual Village Fair

October 16 | see this flyer for more details

  • Toronto East CAER Community Siren Test

October 20 | 2:05pm | When you hear the siren, you must shelter in place, go inside and close all doors. See this poster for more details.

  • City of Toronto Community Environment Days – Scarborough Drop-Off Depot

October 31 | 10am to 2pm | 1 Transfer Pl

Please click here for a list of food banks and soup kitchens in 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

I am continuously updating my social media platforms and my website:

 

You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca

All my Best,  

Paul

Posted on

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Dear Neighbours,

On September 30th, the City of Toronto observed its first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is a day for us to recognize the ongoing trauma caused by residential and day schools and to remember those who were lost, their families and survivors. We also take this opportunity to commit to the process of reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples in Toronto and across Canada.

September 30th is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, which began in 2013 as an indigenous grassroots effort to reflect on the history and harmful legacy of residential and day schools in Canada, as well as affirming that every child matters.


I was happy to join Native Child and Family Services of Toronto to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Toronto Zoo. I am grateful that we were able to come together and strengthen our collective commitment to seeking the truth and fostering change.

Toronto City Council recently recommitted to and supported taking further action to advance truth, reconciliation, and justice, which you can read about here.

Donations can be made to the Indian Residential School Survivors (IRSS) Restoration of Identity Project, led by Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, which will see the construction of the Spirit Garden in Nathan Phillips Square. Donations to Toronto Council’s Fire capital campaign for the Sprit Garden can be made online: www.toronto.ca/donate.

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line 24-hour line can be reached at 1-866-925-4419. Information on Ashinawbe Health Toronto is available at www.aht.ca.

Additional resources, supports and information about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation are available on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/TruthReconciliationDay.

All my Best,

Paul