November 16, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
I want to thank everyone for their efforts during these difficult times. Let us all remember COVID-19 will hopefully be stopped, but we all must continue to keep following the mandated rules. We also need to remember, our mental health is paramount, and it is important we take care of ourselves and seek support if needed. Everyone must practicephysical distancing, washing your hands as often as possible and wear a mask or face covering. Please consider only leaving home for essential activities such as work, education and fresh air and exercise. Residents are asked to limit contact with people not in the same household and to remain at home when ill.
In response to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, the Ontario government updated the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework by lowering the threshold of each level. Toronto Public Health is now in the Red-Control level with additional specific enhanced measures. Please read the Province’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework for the full list of public health region classifications and guidelines. Information on the City of Toronto specific enhanced measures can be found here.
As Toronto is now in the Red-Control level under the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework, religious services, funeral/celebration of life receptions and weddings must comply with the Reopening Act and the City of Toronto specific enhanced measures. During this time, it is recommended that faith leaders limit in-person services to keep everyone safe and to keep mindful of the gathering limits: of 30% of room capacity, to a maximum of 50 people in the building for indoor religious services; and 100 people or less for outdoor religious services. More information on guidance for places of worship can be found here. Details and checklists for planning a funeral reception or celebration of life and planning a wedding can be found online.
Are you looking to get tested for COVID-19? Scarborough Health Network is hosting their next COVID-19 Pop-up Assessment Centre at Global Kingdom Ministries, located at 1250 Markham Road on Thursday November 19 from 9am to 4pm. For more information on future dates and locations please visit www.shn.ca/covid19-popup
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of November 12, 2020) There has been an increase of 407 COVID-19 cases in the City of Toronto. There are 157 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City of Toronto has seen a total of 34,608 cases of COVID-19, of these, 28,771 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 1,460 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto, an increase of 6 deaths from the day before. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform. Province of Ontario status of COVID-19 Cases can be found here.
Getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from the flu. It is especially important this year to help protect our healthcare system during the fight against COVID-19. Learn more about the flu online at www.toronto.ca/flu and book your flu shot appointment at www.tphbookings.ca
November 16 is Louis Riel Day in Toronto! Louis Riel is recognized as a political and spiritual leader of the Metis people and founder of confederation. N this day in 1885, he was executed for leading the Northwest Resistance in defense of the Metis people and their lands. Today, we remember Louis Riel and those who fought alongside Riel for what they believed.
Eglinton East Priority Bus Corridor Update: I’d like to inform that the TTC has issued a notice temporarily reinstating the following three bus stops along the Eglinton East Priority Bus Corridor: Torrance; Beachell; and Cedar. Ridership levels will be monitored over the coming months to determine if they are feasible with the RapidTO Program. Please visit www.ttc.ca/RapidTO for more details.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) building back better together. Today, FCM released federal recommendations to build a stronger post-pandemic Canada. Entitled Building Back Better Together, our plan combines the strengths of municipal and federal governments to drive progress where it matters most: in people’s daily lives.
Building Back Better Together is a plan to tackle today’s pandemic challenges in ways that lay ground for tomorrow’s full recovery. It’s a job-creation plan that deliberately speeds progress on national goals, from ending homelessness to tackling climate change. It’s a plan to drive an inclusive, green recovery in communities of all sizes—the places where Canadians live, work, run businesses, and raise families. More information can be read in the news release.
The City is now accepting applications for its PollinateTO Community Grants. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support community-led initiatives that result in the creation or expansion of pollinator habitat on public and private lands in Toronto. A priority will be placed on funding projects in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.
Native pollinators are under threat from climate change, habitat loss, and other stressors. You can help by creating a pollinator garden! The deadline to apply is January 8, 2021. The gardens will be planted in 2021. More information about the PollinateTO Community Grants is available at www.toronto.ca/PollinateTO
Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Public Information Centre #3. The Public Information Centre #3 will be held virtually from Monday November 16 to Friday December 18. For more information please visit the DSBRT web page here.
Sign up for SBA’s After 5- Virtual Networking Magic event November 18, 2020! You’ll meet new business community members, find opportunities, discover keys to success, share and learn. For more information and to sign up please visit this link.
Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Holiday Help Program registration is officially open! The Holiday Help program supports families who require some additional help with gifts for their children between the ages of birth to 16 years. For more information and how to register please visit this website.
Discover magic of the holiday season with Your Toronto Zoo’s NEW Holiday Marketplace. Beginning November 20th, visit the Zoo’s first courtyard and enjoy amazing producers processors and artisans from our community. More information can be found here. Please note timed-tickets are required.
People facing hunger in Toronto need our help! Toronto Miracle is inviting Toronto residents to leave a non-perishable food item on their doorstep (marked for Toronto Miracle) on December 5th at 10am. Volunteers will collect these donations and redistribute to those in need in the community. More information on how to donate or volunteer can be found at www.torontomiracle.org
The Toronto BIA Office is now accepting applications for Stream 6 of the BIA Innovation Fund. Awards range from $5000 to $25000. Finding is Limited. Descriptions of projects previously funded under the program can be found here, along with feature stories. Special consideration will be given to projects that address economic support and recovery in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Deadline to apply is Thursday December 10th, 2020 4:30pm. Apply NOW.
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 – like and subscribe for more meetings and videos! 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 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.
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.
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.
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