Month: January 2022

Dear Neighbours,

I hope that you and your families are safe and healthy during these challenging times. Let’s continue to protect each other and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, limiting in-person contacts, maintaining physical distancing, wearing a mask and staying home when ill.

I would like to remind everyone that self-care is key, and it is important to prioritize your wellbeing. Make sure to stay active, drink water, connect with loved ones for support over the phone or virtually and reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Remember local Mental Health supports and services can be accessed online here.

Given the threat posed by the COVID-19 Omicron variant, there is a critical need for all eligible residents to get their first, second and third “booster” doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Learn about why, how, and where to get vaccinated on the City’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated webpage. 

City of Toronto update on City services following winter storm

Yesterday, Toronto experienced a significant amount of snowfall throughout the day which impacted some City of Toronto services. As the City continues its snow clearing efforts, emergency services continue to be prioritized for the safety of Toronto residents.

The City’s emergency services are directly connected with Transportation Services Road Operations via the Emergency Operations Centre to ensure each emergency service has direct and timely access to snow clearing support to facilitate the response of ambulances, fire trucks and police vehicles.

Snow Clearing Update:

The City continues to clear snow from roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use trails, bus stops and pedestrian crossovers. Crews completed multiple rounds of plowing and salting overnight on expressways, major roads and local roads. Crews continue to plow all local roads. The City’s snow clearing operations will continue throughout Tuesday and Wednesday.

Solid Waste Management Services:

Crews are out today working to collect waste as regularly scheduled; however, due to the snow, delays are expected. Please put your waste out on your regularly scheduled collection day and leave it out until it’s collected. Please clear snow around bins, do not place bins behind or on snowbanks and ensure a clear path from your bin to the road. if possible, please hold onto any oversized and metal items until your next collection.

Parks, Forestry & Recreation:

Community centres that support child care, immunization clinics or social services will open, but all other centres remain closed today. Snow has been cleared from many outdoor rinks and this work will continue throughout the day. Earl Bales and Centennial Ski and Snowboard Centres are open today. Skaters can check the status of their rink online before heading out. Permit holders for outdoor ice rinks with bookings today should check the status of their rinks online or contact 416-396-7378.

Toronto Employment & Social Services (TESS):

In-person services are back to normal today. All three locations (Metro Hall, Scarborough Village and York Humber) are open today and operating at regular business hours 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Toronto Transit Commission:

The TTC continues to monitor the special weather statement issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada for the city of Toronto. The TTC has increased staff where available to accommodate additional service and are monitoring surface route disruptions. Follow @TTCNotices on Twitter for service updates or www.ttc.ca.

Libraries:

All Toronto Public Library branches remain closed today. More information is available on the Toronto Public Library website.

COVID-19 Update

NEW: Team Toronto has now administered third doses to more than 1.2 million Torontonians. This exciting milestone comes exactly one year after opening the first City of Toronto operated proof-of-concept immunization clinic on January 18, 2021. Team Toronto has also now administered a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to 89.9 per cent of eligible Torontonians age 12 and older, with 87 per cent already having received two doses, and 51 per cent of eligible children age five to 11 receiving their first dose. This work is continuing with Team Toronto delivering first, second and third doses at City-run clinics, mobile clinics, hospital partner clinics and more than 525 local pharmacies and doctors’ offices.

NEW: Team Toronto Kids continues to vaccinate five- to 11-year-old Torontonians as quickly as possible. As of January 17, at 8:30 a.m., 133,630 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to residents between five and 11 years old. In less than two months, approximately 51 per cent of Toronto children in this age group have received at least one dose.

Toronto Public Health continues to work with health care partners and school boards to provide as many vaccination opportunities as possible for residents five to 11 years old and their families. To date, there have been more than 520 school-based clinics held as part of the data-driven and needs-based plan to provide COVID-19 vaccines to children and youth between the ages of five and 17 years old.

NEW: City of Toronto to distribute COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits to community-based child care providers. The City of Toronto is working with the Province of Ontario to distribute rapid antigen tests to licensed child care programs in the community for use where a staff member, child care provider or child in care is showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Beginning today, the City will support this provincial initiative by helping to ensure that rapid antigen test kits are distributed as quickly as possible to community-based child care programs, including licensed home child care agencies. Child care programs that are located in schools will receive rapid antigen test kits directly from their school or school board.

UPDATE: Team Toronto’s latest mass vaccination event, Vax The North West on Sunday, January 23 – News Release! Appointments for the clinic opened at 8 a.m. today in the provincial vaccine booking system, available by calling 1-833-943-3900 or by booking online.

UPDATE: FH Health x Toronto Zoo Mass Vaccination Clinic is now OPEN! Book your booster appointment today! You will need an email address and your health card (valid or expired) to book an appointment. Book now at www.fhvax.com

UPDATE: Scarborough Health Network Vaccine Pop-ups – By Appointment Only – Book now at www.scarbvaccine.ca

• BOOK NOW

UPDATE: Toronto Public Health (TPH) approach to monitoring and reporting COVID-19 in schools. The Ministry of Education will be requiring schools to monitor their own absenteeism rates and report on student and staff absences, and school closures, daily through the absence reporting tool (ART) to support ongoing monitoring and transparency related to COVID-19 impacts on schools. When a school’s absenteeism rate increases sharply (e.g., 30% above their baseline), schools are required to notify TPH.

TPH will continue to meet with school boards and provide public health guidance to keep the school environment as safe as possible. TPH is working with school boards on how best to implement the new provincial directions, including those regarding monitoring and reporting of COVID-19 in schools. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

For additional school-specific information please visit the COVID-19 Guidance: Educational Institutions & Instructional Services webpage.

The City of Toronto remains in a modified Step Two of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen until at east January 26, 2022. The City has updated its website to reflect the changes in City services, residents can review the changes here.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case & Vaccination Update: (Data as of January 18, 2022) Case status and vaccination dose data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.

Book your 1^st, 2^nd or Booster (3^rd) COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment TODAY:

• City of Toronto run mass immunization clinics
• School Immunization Programs
• Scarborough Health Network Community Vaccine Clinics
• COVID-19 Pharmacy Vaccine Locations

Where to get accurate COVID-19 information:

• City of Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccines webpage
• COVID-19 Vaccination Receipt Download
• SHN VaxFacts Clinic or contact vaxfactsclinic@shn.ca or 416-438-2911 ext. 5738.
• City of Toronto COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Location Map
• City of Toronto’s Vaccine Equity Transportation Plan
• Vaccine Coverage by Neighbourhood in the City of Toronto
• The Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines
• COVID-19 Assessment Centres, Pop-Ups and Mobile Testing.

Community Update

NEW: City of Toronto opens CaféTO registration for local restaurant and bar operators! Restaurant and bar operators interested in expanding their outdoor dining space into a curb lane and onto sidewalks in 2022 can now register for the CaféTO program. Visit www.toronto.ca/cafeto to learn more about the program and to register before the April 2^nd deadline.

NEW: Online applications for the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program are now open. The provincial government program provides eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity with rebate payments for up to 100 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. To receive the grant, a small business must be required to close due to public health orders that took effect on January 5 and have fewer than 100 employees. Apply today.

NEW: 360˚ Stories Online Book Launch! The Reading Partnership is pleased to announce the launch of “Great Stories Through the Eyes of Kids”, an anthology written and illustrated by 14 kids (ages 9-12) from East Scarborough. The official book launch will take place on Thursday, January 27, 2022. Learn more about 360 Stores Online and the book launch here.

NEW: Councillor Ainslie’s Community Survey is now open! Submit your feedback on the 2022 City Budget, City services and projects. Take the survey online here today!

Share your feedback on the City of Toronto’s 2022 tax-supported budget! The budgets will be reviewed and debated by Budget and Executive Committees before being finalized and approved by City Council at its meeting on February 17. You can share your feedback on the staff-recommended budget with the Budget Committee by registering to speak at its meeting on January 24 and 25, or by submitting comments by email or mail.

Speakers are asked to register by 4:30 p.m. on January 21. More information about ways to provide feedback is available at www.toronto.ca/budget.

Arts funding for youth with Toronto Arts Council, ArtReach! Are you a youth artist or part of a youth-led group/ collective/ organization that serves youth from equity-deserving populations in Toronto? Looking for funding for your next art project? Supported by Toronto Arts Council, ArtReach offers funding to community-based arts programming geared to youth who face systemic barriers to accessing high-quality arts opportunities. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2022. Visit: www.artreach.org/grants​

Applications are now being accepted for the City of Toronto’s Cultural Festivals Funding Program! These funding programs represent a form of partnership with community-based organizations that contribute significantly to the goals in relation to community capacity, equitable access, well being, diversity, civic participation and civic cohesion. Applications for all streams will close February 11, 2022. Program information, eligibility and applications is available online at www.toronto.ca/culturegrants.

Applications are being accepted for the City of Toronto’s Retail Accelerator Program. Part of the Toronto Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative, the new program provides access to retail training, advisory services and mentoring opportunities, as well as a micro grant of $10,000 to help retail businesses develop and expand. Apply by March 31, 2022.

Community Events

The East Scarborough Storefront’s Academic Upgrading & Financial Literacy Information Session

January 20, 2022 | 9:30am to 12:30pm

Register by calling 416-208-9889 or email info@thestorefront.org.

SBA Cyber Breakfast: The Impact: Reintroducing Business Restrictions & Lockdown

January 20, 2022 | 9:15am to 10:00am

Register here.

Open House – Ontario Line & Scarborough Subway Extension Zoning By-law Amendments

January 25, 2022 | 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Register here.

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,  

PaulSUBSCRIBE | UNSBSCRIBE

January 12, 2022

Dear Neighbours,

I hope you and your families are safe and healthy during these challenging times. Let’s continue to protect each other and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, limiting in-person contacts, maintaining physical distancing, wearing a mask and saying home when ill.

The Province of Ontario has temporarily moved to a modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen to limit the transmission of the Omicron variant and to prevent Ontario hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. The City of Toronto has updated its website to reflect changes in City services, I encourage residents to review the changes here. The City has also updated its COVID-19: Guide for Toronto Residents webpage.

I wanted to take this time to share an update on the current situation at our Scarborough Health Network hospitals:

Scarborough Health Network (SHN) has seen a rapid and increasing trend of hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Just this past weekend SHN admitted almost 100 new COVID-19 patients. SHN hospitals currently have over 200 COVID-19 patients and are expecting this number to increase in the coming days and weeks. 

SHN is also experiencing “outbreaks” across several hospital units impacting the ability to care for patients efficiently. In order to best serve patients and our community, SHN has taken concrete actions to manage this ongoing situation, including:

Capacity

• Pausing non-emergency and non-urgent services to provide more resources and capacity for patients in Critical Care, Medicine and Emergency.  

• Opening a Cold/Flu/COVID clinic at SHN General Hospital for residents who feel they need to see a doctor and to redirect people from the Emergency Department and manage their care expediently.

• Utilizing the regional referral service to support patient discharges to home with support as soon as safely possible.

• Working with nurses and all health care providers to provide optimal care while optimizing our health human resources most effectively

• Supporting staff to work from home where possible. 

Staff Safety

• Launching a new Workplace Health & Safety COVID-19 Exposure and Symptom Screening Tool.

• Expanding use of N95 respirators under face shields for all clinical interactions, regardless of the patient’s COVID-19 status.    

• Prioritizing SHN staff, medical staff and families for both vaccination and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Making testing with expedited results available to SHN staff and medical staff.

• Addressing issues proactively at SHN leadership’s twice daily Omicron Operations Committee meetings.

Vaccinations

• Ongoing vaccine clinics across Scarborough for all eligible ages. www.scarbvaccine.ca

• Dedicated vaccine spots at our Centennial Vaccine Clinic for education workers and pregnant women

• Upcoming pop ups in the community 

• Supporting shelters and community vaccination centers for targeted at-risk populations

Emergency Department 

Additionally, SHN’s emergency departments are open 24/7 if residents need medical attention, however SHN is asking for your support to ensure those who need emergency care, can receive it immediately:

• If you have only mild COVID-19 symptoms, you do not need to come to the emergency department.

• For advice on managing your mild COVID-19 symptoms at home, please access your primary care provider; urgent care or walk-in clinics, or after-hours clinics; or Telehealth Ontario (call toll-free to speak to a registered nurse at 1-866-797-0000 or TTY: 1-866-797-0007).

Additional non-emergency resources:

• SHN Cold and Flu Clinic: SHN Cold/Flu/COVID-19 Clinic, located at SHN’s General hospital (3050 Lawrence Ave E), is for patients who develop moderate symptoms common to COVID-19, the flu or a cold and need to see a doctor. Patients seen at the clinic will be given a medical assessment by a physician, who will consult with them about next steps they should take for their care.

• SHN Kids After Hours Clinic: For access to a paediatrician to treat common medical issues when your child’s doctor may be away or unavailable.

• Scarborough Virtual Urgent Care Clinic: If you need to be seen by a doctor for an urgent medical condition that is not life- or limb-threatening, then the Scarborough Virtual Urgent Care Clinic can provide you with services and care right through your phone, tablet or computer. The virtual clinic is available for adults and children (aged three months or older) from Scarborough and nearby communities.

• If you visit the emergency department, you will receive care based on the severity of your illness, even if you arrive by ambulance. As a result of very high patient volumes, this will mean longer-than-normal wait times for less severe illness or injury.

• Please do not come to Emergency for COVID-19 testing. If you meet the province’s current eligibility criteria, book an appointment at our COVID-19 Assessment Centres.

Please visit www.shn.ca/covid-19 for more information on SHN’s COVID-19 cases, non-emergency resources, and updates on policies and practices.

You can follow Scarborough Health Network on social media and visit their website for regular updates regarding vaccination pop-up clinics, 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd (Booster) dose appointments and more:

• Twitter: @shncares

• Instagram: @shncares

• Website: www.scarbvaccine.ca

Scarborough Health Network Foundation

The Scarborough Health Network just launched its #LoveScarborough Campaign. The goal of this campaign is to shine light on the inequities in healthcare and to raise $100 million to support our Scarborough communities. To donate and to learn more about the campaign, please visit www.lovescarborough.ca

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

Dear Neighbours,

I hope you and your families are safe and healthy during these challenging times. Let’s continue to protect each other and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, limiting in-person contacts, maintaining physical distancing, wearing a mask and saying home when ill.

The Province of Ontario has temporarily moved to a modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen to limit the transmission of the Omicron variant and to prevent Ontario hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. The City of Toronto has updated its website to reflect changes in City services, I encourage residents to review the changes here. The City has also updated its COVID-19: Guide for Toronto Residents webpage.

I wanted to take this time to share an update on the current situation at our Scarborough Health Network hospitals:

Scarborough Health Network (SHN) has seen a rapid and increasing trend of hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Just this past weekend SHN admitted almost 100 new COVID-19 patients. SHN hospitals currently have over 200 admitted patients with COVID-19 and are expecting this number to increase in the coming days and weeks. 

SHN is also experiencing “outbreaks” across several hospital units impacting the ability to care for patients efficiently. In order to best serve patients and our community, SHN has taken concrete actions to manage this ongoing situation, including:

Capacity
• Pausing non-emergency and non-urgent services to provide more resources and capacity for patients in Critical Care, Medicine and Emergency.
• Opening a Cold/Flu/COVID clinic at SHN General Hospital for residents who feel they need to see a doctor and to redirect people from the Emergency Department and manage their care expediently.
• Utilizing the regional referral service to support patient discharges to home with support as soon as safely possible.
• Working with nurses and all health care providers to provide optimal care while optimizing our health human resources most effectively
• Supporting staff to work from home where possible.

Staff Safety
• Launching a new Workplace Health & Safety COVID-19 Exposure and Symptom Screening Tool.
• Expanding use of N95 respirators under face shields for all clinical interactions, regardless of the patient’s COVID-19 status.
• Prioritizing SHN staff, medical staff and families for both vaccination and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Making testing with expedited results available to SHN staff and medical staff.
• Addressing issues proactively at SHN leadership’s twice daily Omicron Operations Committee meetings.

Vaccinations
• Ongoing vaccine clinics across Scarborough for all eligible ages. www.scarbvaccine.ca
• Dedicated vaccine spots at our Centennial Vaccine Clinic for education workers and pregnant women
• Upcoming pop ups in the community
• Supporting shelters and community vaccination centers for targeted at-risk populations

Emergency Department
Additionally, SHN’s emergency departments are open 24/7 if residents need medical attention, however SHN is asking for your support to ensure those who need emergency care, can receive it immediately:
• If you have only mild COVID-19 symptoms, you do not need to come to the emergency department.
• For advice on managing your mild COVID-19 symptoms at home, please access your primary care provider; urgent care or walk-in clinics, or after-hours clinics; or Telehealth Ontario (call toll-free to speak to a registered nurse at 1-866-797-0000 or TTY: 1-866-797-0007).

Additional non-emergency resources:
• SHN Cold and Flu Clinic: SHN Cold/Flu/COVID-19 Clinic, located at SHN’s General hospital (3050 Lawrence Ave E), is for patients who develop moderate symptoms common to COVID-19, the flu or a cold and need to see a doctor. Patients seen at the clinic will be given a medical assessment by a physician, who will consult with them about next steps they should take for their care.
• SHN Kids After Hours Clinic: For access to a paediatrician to treat common medical issues when your child’s doctor may be away or unavailable.
• Scarborough Virtual Urgent Care Clinic: If you need to be seen by a doctor for an urgent medical condition that is not life- or limb-threatening, then the Scarborough Virtual Urgent Care Clinic can provide you with services and care right through your phone, tablet or computer. The virtual clinic is available for adults and children (aged three months or older) from Scarborough and nearby communities.

• If you visit the emergency department, you will receive care based on the severity of your illness, even if you arrive by ambulance. As a result of very high patient volumes, this will mean longer-than-normal wait times for less severe illness or injury.
• Please do not come to Emergency for COVID-19 testing. If you meet the province’s current eligibility criteria, book an appointment at a SHN COVID-19 Assessment Centres.

Please visit www.shn.ca/covid-19 for more information on SHN’s COVID-19 cases, non-emergency resources, and updates on policies and practices.

You can follow Scarborough Health Network on social media and visit their website for regular updates regarding vaccination pop-up clinics, 1st, 2nd and 3rd (Booster) dose appointments and more:
• Twitter: @shncares
• Instagram: @shncares
• Website: www.scarbvaccine.ca

Scarborough Health Network Foundation
The Scarborough Health Network just launched its #LoveScarborough Campaign. The goal of this campaign is to shine light on the inequities in healthcare and to raise $100 million to support our Scarborough communities. To donate and to learn more about the campaign, please visit www.lovescarborough.ca.

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

All my Best,
Paul

­­­Dear Neighbours,    I hope that you and your families are safe and healthy during these challenging times. Let’s continue to protect each other and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, limiting in-person contacts, maintaining physical distancing, wearing a mask and staying home when ill.    I would like to remind everyone that self-care is key, and it is important to prioritize your wellbeing. Make sure to stay active, drink water, connect with loved ones for support over the phone or virtually and reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Remember local Mental Health supports and services can be accessed online here.   To all those celebrating Epiphany, I wish you and your families a wonderful celebration. I’d also like to wish a Merry Christmas to the Orthodox Christian community in Ward 24, across the country and around the world.    Given the threat posed by the COVID-19 Omicron variant, there is a critical need for all eligible residents to get their first, second and third “booster” doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Learn about why, how, and where to get vaccinated on the City’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated webpage.  ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ COVID-19 Update ­ NEW: Team Toronto delivers more than six million COVID-19 vaccine doses – More than six million COVID-19 vaccine doses have now been administered by Team Toronto, as the progress to help residents of all ages get vaccinated continues. The six million dose milestone comes more than a year after the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020. For more information please read this news release.   NEW: City of Toronto working to provide fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to residents in City-run long-term care homes – The City, in partnership with Michael Garron Hospital, is beginning to administer a fourth-dose of COVID-19 vaccine to eligible LTC residents. This week, clinics have been scheduled for residents in five other City-operated LTC homes, including Seven Oaks LTC. It is anticipated that clinics at the remaining four LTC homes, including Bendale Acres, will be scheduled in the coming days. More information about clinics scheduled for LTC residents is available in the City’s news release.    NEW: Team Toronto ramping up school vaccination efforts – Today, the City outlined steps being taken to sustain the vaccination effort and help get more education workers and students vaccinated in the days ahead.  ·        Dedicated immunization clinic for Toronto school staff: Four vaccination clinics with appointments specifically for education workers will be hold in two City-run immunization clinics this Sunday, January 9, and next Sunday, January 16.  ·        School-based clinics: More than 27 clinics – including 22 TPH clinics – are now planned to be held over the next two weeks to help students, their families and education workers get vaccinated.  ·        Redeploying Toronto Public Health staff to support additional school clinics. For more information on school vaccination efforts please read this news release.   NEW: City of Toronto redeploying staff to maintain essential and critical City services – Today, the City announced its tiered staff redeployment plan should it be required as a result of a high number of unplanned staff absences due to illness and COVID-19 isolation requirements, with worst-case plans accounting for absences as high as 60 per cent. For more information on the City’s staff redeployment plan please read this news release.   Scarborough Health Network Cold/Flu/COVID-19 Clinic – SHN has reopened its Cold/Flu/COVID-19 clinic at SHN’s General Hospital located at 3050 Lawrence Ave E. This clinic will offer assessment, testing and care for patients who develop moderate symptoms common to COVID-19, the flu or a cold and need to see a doctor. The clinic operates seven days a week from 9AM to 7PM by Appointment only. Book your appointment here.    Scarborough Health Network’s Centenary Hospital COVID-19 Assessment Centre has been moved to the University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus (UTSC) Highland Hall location at 1256 Military Trail, effective as of December 28, 2021. This partnership is to ensure access to testing for Scarborough residents, and to help protect the health and safety of our community. Details on testing eligibility and booking an appointment is available online here.     UPDATE: Scarborough Health Network Vaccine Pop-ups – By Appointment Only – Book now at www.scarbvaccine.ca ·        January 8 | 12pm-12:30pm | Kids 5-1 (1st DOSE) Tropicana, 1385 Huntingwood Dr | BOOK NOW ·        January 8 | 12:30pm-4pm | 18+ (Booster DOSE) | Tropicana, 1385 Huntingwood Dr | BOOK NOW   The City of Toronto has moved into a modified Step Two of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen.The City has updated its website to reflect the changes in City services, residents can review the changes here.   City of Toronto COVID-19 Case & Vaccination Update: (Data as of January 6, 2022) Case status and vaccination dose data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.  ·        240,405 – Newly Reported COVID-19 Cases  ·        33,791 – Total number of Active COVID-19 Cases  ·        185 – Hospitalized Cases (Cumulative)  ·        240,405 – Number of COVID-19 Cases in Toronto (Cumulative) ·        202,851 – Number of Recovered COVID-19 Cases in Toronto  ·        3,763 – Number of COVID-19 Fatal Cases in Toronto  ·        5,978,620 COVID-19 – Vaccine doses administered in Toronto    Book your 1st, 2nd or Booster (3rd) COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment TODAY:  ·        City of Toronto run mass immunization clinics ·        School Immunization Programs  ·        Scarborough Health Network Community Vaccine Clinics ·        COVID-19 Pharmacy Vaccine Locations   Where to get accurate COVID-19 information:  ·        City of Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccines webpage ·        COVID-19 Vaccination Receipt Download  ·        SHN VaxFacts Clinic or contact vaxfactsclinic@shn.ca or 416-438-2911 ext. 5738. ·        City of Toronto COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Location Map  ·        City of Toronto’s Vaccine Equity Transportation Plan  ·        Vaccine Coverage by Neighbourhood in the City of Toronto  ·        Public Health Agency of Canada – The Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines  ·        COVID-19 Assessment Centres, Pop-Ups and Mobile Testing.  ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ Community Update ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ NEW: Register for Kids ReadTO! Kids ReadTO is a virtual book club that connects kids ages 9-12, from different communities, through reading! Weekly meetings, led by professional facilitators, allow kids to safely socialize online through guided reading activities, discussions and games. Participants receive a FREE copy of the featured title, Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliot, a D.E.A.R. Diary Activity Journal and a chance to WIN gift cards. Meetings are held weekly, Tuesdays at 5PM from February 1st to March 8th. Apply online here by tomorrow, January 7, 2022.   NEW: Scarborough Subway Extension Virtual Tradeshow – January 28, 2022 – Metrolinx and STRABAG are hosting a virtual tradeshow to learn more about the Scarborough Subway Extension and job and apprenticeship opportunities related to the project. Exhibitor registration is available online here. Registration closes tomorrow, January 7, 2022.    NEW: Toronto Crime Stoppers Recognize Record-Setting Year – In recognition of January being Crime Stoppers Month, the Toronto Crime Stoppers program has announced record-setting numbers for 2021. Despite the pressures of working within a global pandemic, the program was able to process 7,102 tips, having a significant impact on crime and community safety in the city.   The results of these tips contributed to the solving of eight homicides (100% increase), 105 arrests (57% increase), the laying of 780 charges (212% increase), and the seizure of 18 firearms (200% increase). For a highlight of these statistics, click here.   REMINDER: TPL to Temporarily Close 44 Branches as of Monday, January 10 due to Staffing Shortages. Fifty-two of TPL’s largest and most-used library branches will remain open and staff from closed locations will be reassigned to these branches. TPL’s open branches will continue to operate at their current service levels, which include 50 percent capacity limits. Bookmobile and Home Library Services will also continue at their current service levels. All TPL online services will remain available and can be accessed from anywhere including access to digital collections, online programs and Answerline. For more information please read this news release.   REMINDER: Waste Management Guide & Collection Schedules Update  The way that residents receive their collection schedules and certain waste management information is changing. The City is not producing and mailing a 2022 Waste Calendar. Instead, 2022 collection schedules are being sent as part of the utility bill and a condensed waste management guide is being produced and mailed to all households. Learn more here.     Welcome T.O. Winter Everyone! I would like to encourage everyone to review the City’s Winter Services which is available online here. Track real-time locations of plows, sidewalk plows and salt trucks and to identify which roads have been serviced by winter snow clearing vehicles and crews using the City’s PlowTO Map. Remember contacting 311 is the most efficient way to ensure the City is aware of any snow clearing issues and can have crews out as soon as resources are available.    Applications are being accepted for the City of Toronto’s Retail Accelerator Program. Part of the Toronto Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative, the new program provides access to retail training, advisory services and mentoring opportunities, as well as a micro grant of $10,000 to help retail businesses develop and expand. Apply by March 31, 2022.   REMINDER: Our Scarborough Centre – Phase 3 Survey! City staff are looking for your feedback on the preliminary Development Concepts for Scarborough Centre. You can submit your feedback by taking the Phase 3 Survey online until TOMORROW, January 7, 2022.   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! ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ Community Events ­ Ontario Public Service Employment Opportunities January 11, 2022 | 11am to 12pm  Register here.    Open House – Ontario Line & Scarborough Subway Extension Zoning By-law Amendments January 25, 2022 | 6:30pm to 8:30pm Register here.    SCRO: Scarborough Community Town Hall Meeting January 27, 2022 | 6:30pm to 8:00pm  Register here.  ­ ­ I am continuously updating my social media platforms and website:  ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

­ ­ ­