February 23, 2022 – Words From Eastern Toronto

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 well-being. 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.

COVID-19 Update

NEW: Vax The East wraps up a successful 10-day campaign with more than 3,100 vaccinated across Toronto’s east end

Yesterday, Team Toronto wrapped up the successful 10-day hyper-local Vax The East campaign to bring COVID-19 vaccines close to home for thousands of residents and increase vaccination numbers in Toronto’s east end.

Vax The East launched on February 12 and continued through Family Day. Weekend clinics at the Ontario Science Centre and Thorncliffe Park Community Hub kicked off the campaign, followed by 34 pop-up clinics over eight days in Scarborough schools. In total, Team Toronto vaccinated 3,127 people, including 1,240 children age five to 11 during Vax The East.

NEW: Mayor Tory launches campaign to help small businesses during their pandemic recovery

Today, Mayor John Tory announced a new business supports campaign to help make small business owners and operators more aware of grants, incentives, training and other available resources as they recover from the pandemic. Small businesses, including restaurants, are encouraged to take advantage of these resources, which include access to one-on-one virtual assistance, COVID-19 guidelines, and links to other financial resources and relief measures.

REMINDER: City of Toronto reopening City Hall and civil centres for counter services. Today, City Hall, North York Civic Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre, York Civic Centre and East York Civic Centre have reopened for a number of in-person counter services. Some services will require booking an appointment in advance while others will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

SHN Vaccine Pop-Up Clinics – Full details at: www.scarbvaccine

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case & Vaccination Update: (Data as of February 22, 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:

Where to get accurate COVID-19 information:

Community Update

Attention restaurant and bar operators! Are you interested in learning more about #CafeTO and how to transform your patio space? Register for a free webinar on February 23 at 9:30am, hosted by TABIA and Restaurants Canada to learn more! Register online here. Visit www.toronto.ca/cafeto to learn more about the program and to register before the April 2^nd deadline.

REMINDER: The City of Toronto is proposing cycling, pedestrian and road safety upgrades on Scarborough Golf Club Road and is seeking your feedback and lived experience for the project. Please visit toronto.ca/sgcrroadsafety to learn more about the project, timelines and design features. Complete the project survey online by February 25, 2022.

NEW: Celebrate Freedom to Read Week: Feb 20 – 26! Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm our commitment to intellectual freedom. Find out more and learn about some materials from our collection that have been challenged over the years. Learn more about Freedom to Read Week here.

REMINDER: City of Toronto launches spring recreation program listings. Registration for spring recreation programs starts at 7 a.m. on the following dates:

March 5 – Etobicoke York (including York South-Weston) and Scarborough
March 7 – North York and Toronto and East York
March 7 – Virtual programs city-wide

Residents can visit Toronto.ca/SpringRec for program and registration information.

REMINDER: Latest updates to library services. Good news! On Monday, February 28 and Tuesday, March 1, Toronto Public Library will reopen the majority of the branches that have been temporarily closed due to COVID-19 related staffing challenges. online services remain available and can be accessed from anywhere including access to digital collections and online programs. Please visit this page to read the full update.

Have your say on how to reduce single-use and takeaway items in the City of Toronto! Your feedback will help to inform a report that will be considered by the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in spring 2022 and present the final proposed Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy Stage 2 mandatory measures (e.g., a fee or “ask-first/by-request” bylaw). Take the online survey by March 4, 2022 at toronto.ca/single-use.

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.

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!

Community Events

REMINDER: CaféTO Information Webinar by TABIA & Restaurants Canada

February 23, 2022 | 9:30am

NEW: Scarborough-Guildwood Live Town Hall with Minister Bill Blair

February 24, 2022 | 7:00 pm

NEW: Toronto Virtual Seedy Saturdays

February 26 to March 12

Follow me on social media and/or visit my website for regular updates:

Twitter: @Ainslie_Ward24

Facebook: @cllrainslie

Instagram: @cllrainslie

www.paulainslie.com