February 10, 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.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of February 9, 2021) There has been an increase of 440 COVID-19 cases in the City with 426 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 91,368 cases of COVID-19, of these, 83,618 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,535 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
New public transit investments to build strong communities, fight climate change, and create new jobs across Canada. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced $14.9 billion for public transit projects over the next eight years, which includes permanent funding of $3 billion per year for Canadian communities beginning in 2026-27. This announcement provides cities and communities the predictable transit funding they need to plan for the future, and is part of our plan to create one million jobs, fight climate change, and rebuild a more sustainable and resilient economy. These investments will help Canadians move around easier and create new jobs, reduce pollution, support healthy lifestyles in our community, help Canadians living in rural and remote areas travel to and form work more easily and support our cities and communities by making a permanent and stable federal commitment to funding public transit. For more information please read this news release.
City of Toronto readying nine COVID-19 immunization clinics for when vaccine supply re-established. The City of Toronto’s Immunization Task Force is working to ensure all nine City-operated clinics will be ready to open once the Province of Ontario provides direction, and vaccine supply is secured by the Government of Canada. The City is preparing nine clinics located across the city including locations at Scarborough Town Centre, 300 Borough Dr. and Malvern Community Recreation Centre, 30 Sewells Rd. A map with all nine locations is available on the City’s website.
The clinics are not yet open to the public. The target for opening City-operated immunization clinics is early April, pending vaccine supply and direction from the Province. Once fully operational – seven days per week, nine hours per day – it is estimated that more than 120,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses will be administered each week through the network of City-operated immunization clinics. The clinics will be operated by Toronto Public Health, with support from other City staff, and will include qualified nursing staff to administer the vaccinations under appropriate medical oversight. 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 including a reminder to complete the updated student or staff/visitor COVID-19 symptom screening survey before entering school, reminders to bring extra masks and more. The complete letter to help you prepare your child for the return to school can be found here.
The Scarborough Business Association’s February Festival of Food on February 12th, 2021 from 10:30am to 11:45am. Hear from Scarborough food service experts about the innovative ways they’re adapting to the new normal and how you can celebrate every day in February with meals prepared by Scarborough restaurants. For more information and to register for this event please see this flyer.
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.
Canada Healthy Communities Initiative Now Open for Applications! The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) is providing up to $31 million in existing federal funding to support communities as they deploy new ways to adapt spaces and services to respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19 over the next two years. The initiative is supporting projects under three main themes: creating safe and vibrant public spaces, improving mobility options and digital solutions. Community Foundations of Canada is currently accepting applications for project funding. The first intake for applications will close on March 9th, 2021 at 5pm. Details on project eligibility and how to apply for project funding are available on Community Foundations of Canada’s website.
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