February 9, 2021 Update
Dear Neighbours,
I would like to continue to thank everyone for their efforts during these difficult times, I know it has been tough, but we must continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep ourselves and our community safe. It is also important to remember, our mental health is paramount, and that we take care of ourselves and seek support if needed.
To join the meeting at the time of the event:
To submit questions or comments before February 22 at 4:00pm:
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of February 8, 2021) There has been an increase of 419 COVID-19 cases in the City with 427 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 90,965 cases of COVID-19, of these, 83,044 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,519 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 Toronto Public Health unit remains under the shutdown and stay-at-home orders until February 22. It remains imperative that we all respect the COVID-19 orders and stay home as much as possible. When you are outside of your home for essential purposes, remember to wear a mask or face covering, practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene. Get the latest information about service changes, COVID-19 vaccination rollout and why it is important to continue following public health measures that reduce virus spread.
COVID-19 testing site and vaccine information – Residents can learn more about testing locations in their neighbourhood at www.toronto.ca/covid19testing . If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine please visit the City’s webpage for the latest news and information at www.toronto.ca/covid19vaccine
The Ontario government continues to implement its High Priority Communities Strategy to provide targeted supports to 15 communities hardest hit by COVID-19. As part of the strategy, the province is providing $12.5 million to local lead agencies to work in partnership with Ontario Health, public health units, municipalities, and other community partners to help high risk neighbourhoods contain the spread of the virus and access services to better protect individuals and families. The province is also investing up to $42 million under the High Priority Communities Strategy to create about 1,500 spaces in approximately 11 COVID-19 isolation centres so people can self-isolate and keep their families and communities safe. For more information please read this news release.
Return to in-person learning at school – As you are aware Toronto schools are planning to re-open for in-person learning on February 16, 2021. Toronto Public Health has prepared important reminders to help you prepare your child for the return to school. Starting today everyone in a household should complete the updated COVID-19 symptom screening tool for students and staff/visitors. Students should bring a paper record or show your school’s app to confirm that screening has been completed. Students are required to wear a mask properly at al times except when having a mask break or eating lunch. Be sure to pack an extra mask in case your child needs to change it. The complete letter to help you prepare your child for the return to school can be found here.
Toronto Public Library Grab & Go Bags are here! Do you miss the opportunity to browse the collection at your local branch? You should try on of TPL’s grab & go bags! TPL staff have put together grab & go bags for local customers on a wide variety of themes and genres. If you’re interested, check out or contact your local branch and tell staff at the contactless pickup station which bag you’re interested and sign the item out with your TPL card. Learn more about the program here.
YMCA Food Programs are still available! In partnership with Daily Bread Food Bank, two YMCAs in Scarborough are offering food programs. They ask that you bring your client ID and call ahead at either location to set up an appointment. If you don’t already have an ID, please visit www.dailybread.link2feed.ca to set one up. Please visit this page for information on locations and contact numbers.
7th Annual Free Family Fun Day 2021 Virtual Edition with the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on February 15, 2021 from 8:00am to 3:00pm. For the seventh consecutive year, the Toronto Pan Am Sports centre will welcome the community on Family Day, virtually! The Centre has a great lineup of family-oriented programming scheduled that everyone can enjoy. To participate in the virtual activities, you will require an active PTASC self-service portal account. For more information and registration please visit this page.
Toronto Zoo Adopt-A-Pond Local Projects Virtual Update on February 16, 2021 at 6:30pm via Zoom. Learn about you Toronto Zoo’s Adopt-A-Pond Wetland Conservation Program and get updates on projects that take place near the Toronto Zoo. Also find out how you can help these species in your backyard by taking simple actions. Three will be time for questions and comments. Register here to attend the event.
Save the Date! The Toronto Virtual Seedy Saturday on February 27, 2021 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Virtual Seedy Saturday promises to be full of great gardening and growing advice. There will be links to seed and gardening companies, a resource library, webinars by gardening experts, a live question/answer forum, kids activities and info re local seed exchanges. Visit ongoing and on the day of the event at www.seedysaturday.ca/toronto to connect to information, webinars and live chats. For questions please contact seedysaturdaysto@gmail.com and live their event page on Facebook for updates.
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.
Watch Scarborough-Guildwood’s past Live Town Hall meetings on my YouTube channel!
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.
Toronto District School Board Update
Check out the latest issue HERE.
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