October 14, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
As we continue to witness the rise COVID-19 cases in Toronto and across the province, it is very important that we adhere to public health advice to practice physical distancing, wash hands as often as possible and to wear a mask or face covering where mandatory or when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Be sure to put your social bubbles or circles on hold. It is advised that everyone allow close contact only with people living in their own households and maintain physically distanced from everyone else. For more information please refer to the mandatory physical distancing bylaw and the mandatory mask or face covering bylaw or www.toronto.ca/covid-19.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of October 13, 2020): There has been an increase of 296 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 23,338 cases of COVID-19, of these, 19,523 cases have recovered, an increase of 311 cases from the day before. There are 108 people currently hospitalized, an increase of 6 cases from the day before. To this date, there have been 1,327 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.
The City of Toronto has signed an agreement to deliver Automated Shuttle Trial planned for Spring 2021. Local Motors, in partnership with Pacific Western Transportation, will provide this service using Olli 2.0, the latest iteration of its electric, self-driving shuttle. With a seating capacity of up to eight passengers, Olli is equipped with an accessibility ramp and a wheelchair securement system, along with audio and visual announcements and other features for rider information. An on-board safety steward will oversee vehicle operations and can manually take control of the vehicle at any time when required. More information can be read in the news release.
City Manager’s Report, Towards Recovery and Building a Renewed Toronto, to go to the Executive Committee on October 21st. The report is one in a series of reports to Toronto City Council that outlines actions the City of Toronto has and will undertake to address the challenges of the pandemic, key accomplishments, findings from other jurisdictions, insights from engagements and research, and advice to Council on how the City should move towards recovery and prosperity, amidst this evolving emergency. The report emphasizes that the City’s continued collaboration with other orders of government to effectively apply taxpayer resources and create the greatest positive impact on shared recovery goals with clear outcomes is essential to recovery. An integrated response to issues, including addressing the social determinants of health, and exploring partnerships with community agencies, academia and the private sector, is also key. More information can be read in the news release.
The City of Toronto is extending its partnership with Ritual to launch Open For Business to support local businesses. Open For Business is a collaboration with Ritual and DoorDash to help local businesses across Toronto increase their commission free online sales. Through this partnership extension, Ritual will provide its commission free digital ordering platform Ritual ONE to Toronto businesses at no coast through the end of the year. All local businesses that enroll in Ritual ONE will receive delivery capabilities powered by DoorDash Drive, its fulfillment platform that powers direct delivery for any business. Toronto businesses will receive two weeks of free delivery from October 26 to November 8. Additionally, any business that completes one delivery order on Ritual ONE powered by DoorDash Drive by December 31 will receive Ritual ONE free through 2021. Toronto businesses can learn more and enroll at www.ritual.co/toronto. More information can be read in the news release.
The City of Toronto is developing a Cricket Strategy to support the growth of cricket. Join a virtual public meeting on October 26 to learn more about the Strategy, ask the project team questions and share your ideas for growing the sport. Find more information on the project and how to register for the meeting here.
Park People has created a webinar series to directly address questions faced about the future of city parks. In the series you’ll learn about park-based solutions to address the urgent and immediate needs arising out of COVID-19 and parks’ role in creating a more inclusive and sustainable future. More information can be found here.
St. Marks United Church Drive-In Community Food Drive is taking place this Saturday October 17th from 1PM to 3PM at St. Marks United Church (115 Orton Park Rd). Drop off is in the church parking lot. Items collected will be delivered to local food banks. View this post for more information.
Social Assistance Coalition of Scarborough (SACS) is hosting a Virtual Q&A on Social Assistance Update – COVID-19 for ODSP Recipients (ONLY) on Thursday October 29, 2020 from 6pm to 8pm. To register please visit this website and submit your questions in advanced to sacs.communitygroup@gmail.com by October 26, 2020.
Guild Park Photo Scavenger Hunt! Visit the Guild Park and look out for the five distinct features listed here. The deadline for the Guild Park Scavenger Hunt entries is 5pm on Monday October 19, 2020.
Your Toronto Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo! Boo at the Zoo is a family-friendly Halloween event with plenty of spook-tacular holiday fun planned. Visit the zoo until October 31st to see all of their fall décor and to stop by their Hay-lloween Town special exhibit at their Savanna Picnic Site.
Check out Your Toronto Zoo’s new drive-thru BOOmobile! Turn your automobile into your very own BOOmobile! Due to new COVID-19 restrictions, their regular BOOmobile looks a little different this year, but you can enjoy the experience from the safety and comfort of your OWN vehicle! Book tickets here.
Have Your Say: Toronto’s Recovery and Rebuild Strategy. On October 21st, me and my colleagues on the Executive Committee will be discussing the report by the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild (TORR) on the City’s pandemic recovery plan. You can review the report here.
To submit your comments or request to speak, click the buttons at the top of the agenda item “Submit Comments” or “Request to Speak”. Alternatively you can email the City Clerk at exc@toronto.ca, write in the subject “My comments for 2020.EX17.1 on October 21, 2020 Executive Committee,” and write your comments for public record or request to speak. IMPORTANT: Please copy me on your email as well, councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca.
Community survey for Scarborough residents: Your experiences with the Toronto Police. Native Child and Family Services of Toronto has been operating as a family support agency in Toronto for over 30 years. With recent events in mind, they would like to know more about the community’s experience with the Toronto Police. This survey is only the first step in a multi step planned community consultation process and will help us shape the rest of our strategy to obtain even more feedback from you. Please take the survey here.
TTC Concerns by A Voice for Transit Survey. A Voice for Transit is a transit advocacy group composed of current Ryerson University students and alumni. The TTC is conducting stakeholder consultations to help shape their 2021 Annual Services Plan. A Voice for Transit wants to represent your concerns. Take their survey HERE.
CafeTO Survey EXTENDED. We want your feedback on CaféTO! We need your input on possible changes, improvements, and other supports for the program. Please take a few minutes to fill it out and share. Please visit this LINK to fill out the survey by October 31, 2020.
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.
Check out all Scarborough-Guildwood’s past Live Town Meetings on my YouTube channel!
Scarborough-Guildwood’s Live Town Halls provide the community with up to date information, supports and resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Scoop
Check out the ESBGC latest Bi-Weekly School 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.
What’s On at the Library: Home Edition
Check out the latest copy HERE. Subscribe HERE.
Our KGO Updates: East Scarborough Storefront’s crowd-sourced e-newsletter
Check out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE. Please take a moment to fill out this Community Check-In Survey!
TDSB Trustee Update by Ward 19 Scarborough-Guildwood Trustee Zakir Patel
Check out the latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.
Toronto Zoo Press Releases
Latest issue HERE. Contact achambers@torontozoo.ca to subscribe.
Confronting Anti-Black Racism Summer Newsletter 2020
To read the latest news from the City’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit please click 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