Dear Neighbours,
I would like to continue to thank everyone for their efforts during these difficult times. It has been difficult for everyone. We must continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep ourselves and our community safe by following the public health measures in place. Remember, our mental health is paramount, we need to continue to take care of ourselves and seek support if needed.
As members of our community mark the end of Ramadan with Eid Al-Fitr, please keep in mind to celebrate virtually and safely distanced. Connect with your loved ones virtually, celebrate with members of your household, and consider contactless delivery of sweets and foods. My this Eid bring lots of happiness, prosperity and peace to you and your families. Eid Mubarak!
*UPDATED* City of Toronto Immunization Clinic Eligibility Groups: Book through the provincial booking system at www.toronto.ca/covid19 or by calling 1-833-943-3900.
- People age 18+ living in any of the 53 provincial hot spot postal codes – Scarborough-Guildwood hotspot postal codes include M1E, M1G, M1H, M1J and M1M
- People age 50+ older
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals
- People who are pregnant
- People with at-risk health conditions, high-risk health conditions & highest risk health conditions
- Employees unable to work from home listed by the Province of Ontario as Group One & Group Two
*NEW* As of Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 8am, the following groups will be eligible to book:
- People age 40+
The full list of eligible groups with information on how to register for appointments is available on the City’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated webpage.
*NEW* City of Toronto opens new vaccination appointments. Tomorrow,5,000 new appointments between May 17 and 23 at City-run immunization clinics will be added to the provincial booking system to meet some of the demand from expanded eligibility and based on vaccine supply. Eligible groups can book online at www.toronto.ca/covid19 or by calling 1-833-943-3900
*UPDATE* Five new postal codes added to Team Toronto Spring Strategy – News Release. The Team Toronto Sprint Strategy prioritizes postal code areas with high rates of COVID-19. The initiative has been providing vaccine access and improving equity in priority communities for more than a month. New Sprint Strategy postal codes include M1E, M1K, M1R (Scarborough) and M4X, M5A (Downtown East).
Scarborough Health Network is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinic for residents 18+ in a M1 Scarborough Postal Code on Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 9am to 9pm at the Boys & Girls Club of East Scarborough (100 Galloway Road). Tickets will be provided to individuals for same-day vaccine appointments on a first come, first served basis. Please bring, proof of address (driver’s license or utility bill) & a health card if you have one or other government issued ID.Learn more at www.scarbvaccine.ca
COVID-19 Pharmacy Vaccine Locations & Eligibility
- Select pharmacy locations in Toronto and Peel are administering the Pfizer vaccine to individuals aged 18+.
- Select pharmacy locations in Durham, Hamilton, Ottawa, Windsor and York are administering the Moderna vaccine to individuals aged 18+.
Due to supply challenges, certain pharmacies offering the COVID-19 vaccine may be out of stock. Please check with your pharmacy first. You must have a valid OHIP card or other form of government ID. For more information please visit this site.
Toronto Public Health issues Section 22 Order to education providers limiting in-person attendances of school-aged children effective Monday, May 10 at 12:01 a.m. The Order is available on the City website.
The City of Toronto remains subject to a provincial wide Stay-at-Home order. The provincial wide shutdown requires all residents to remain home except for essential purposes. I encourage everyone to review the Province’s COVID-19 public health measures and advice, the City’s Guide for Toronto Residents and Changes to City Services for the most up-to-date information on public health guidelines and regulations.
Where to get accurate COVID-19 vaccine information
There is a lot of incorrect information about the COVID-19 vaccines on social media and group chats, such as WhatsApp. Accurate and trusted information can be found on the City’s COVID-19: Vaccines webpage. If you have questions about the vaccines, you should speak with your doctor or health care provider.
City of Toronto-Vaccine Hunters Canada to help residents quickly find available vaccine appointments at City-run clinics.
Vaccine appointment availability at all nine City clinics and will be displayed @VaxHuntersCan. More information is available on the City website.
Vaccine Eligibility Chart
The City of Toronto has created a vaccine eligibility chart to assist residents in clarifying eligibility stages and registration questions. You can find the vaccine eligibility chart here. Visit the VaccineTO website regularly to see if local clinics have available appointments.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic – Locations Map
All COVID-19 Immunization Clinics across the city, including City-run facilities, pharmacies and hospitals, are now mapped on the City’s website. Residents can search for the clinic closest to them by location or address. Additional Ward 24 specific vaccination sites can be found here. Residents must register for an appointment.
Do you need help getting to your vaccination appointment? The City’s Vaccine Equity Transportation Plan is piloting transportation services for individuals age 55+ who may be unable to access or afford existing transportation options to get to their vaccination appointments. Eligible residents can book their vaccination appointment at www.toronto.ca/covid-19 then book a ride contact with Toronto Ride, iRide or Scarborough Ride.
Vaccine Appointment booking for residents without OHIP Cards
Resident without OHIP cards who meet current vaccine eligibility criteria can request assistance to book their vaccination appointment at a City-run immunization clinic by contacting FCJ Refugee Centre, Access Alliance or Toronto Public Health. Residents without an OHIP card may use other forms of identification to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointment through agency partners. For more details and contact information please see this page.
In-Home Vaccination for Homebound Persons
If you are a homebound person receiving care through a Primary Care Provider, Family Health Team, Home or Community Care or Community Support Services or Agencies, please contact your provider to learn whether they are able to offer in-home vaccination.
If you are homebound person who does not have a Primary Care Provider, Family Health Team, Home or Community Care or Community Support Services, please contact the Toronto Seniors Help Line at 416-217-2077 or by webchat at www.torontoseniorshelpline.ca/web-chat
COVID-19 tests are available at assessment centres, pop-up and mobile testing facilities and pharmacies. Learn more about COVID-19 testing locations and eligibility, including locations of upcoming pop-up testing sites, by visiting toronto.ca/COVID19Testing.The website features a map to help you easily find a testing location near you.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of May 12, 2021) There has been an increase of 814 COVID-19 cases in the City with 1,081 people hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 158,702 cases of COVID-19, of these, 145,155 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 3,224 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Vaccination Update: Together, the City of Toronto, healthcare partners, pharmacies and Toronto Public Health have now administered more than one million COVID-19 vaccines. To date 1,531,418 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Toronto. Toronto is the first local health region in Canada to administer more than one million doses of vaccine. Vaccination dose data can be found on the City’s COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.
COVID-19 Vaccination Tracker Canada: You can review regular data on doses administered, doses delivered and percentage of the Canadian population that has received at least one dose on the COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker page.
City of Toronto announces ActiveTO will include Lake Shore Boulevard West this weekend – News Release.
City of Toronto and partners increase vaccine access and uptake for vulnerable residents through community mobilization and engagement – News Release.
Ontario pauses administration of AstraZeneca Vaccine – News Release.
Little Scarborough Centre: Calling all kids! Toronto City Planning wants to hear YOUR ideas of Our Scarborough Centre. Re-imagine our map of the area to include the buildings, parks, shops, pathways and other elements you’d like to see in the future. Send in photos of your creation. For more details on how to participate please visit this site.
Help protect your home from basement flooding. For tips to reduce the risk of basement flooding and to learn about the City of Toronto subsidies available when you install flood-prevention devices, visit www.toronto.ca/basementflooding
Toronto Public Health invites people who live, work or study in Toronto to a Town Hall about COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Vinita Dubey, Associate Medical Officer of Health, will answer your questions about COVID-19 vaccines available in Canada, Vaccine safety and benefits, How to get vaccinated and who is eligible, and Ways to reduce COVID-19 spread. No registration required. Choose from three upcoming session dates Thursday May 13 or Saturday May 15.
Feed Scarborough is hosting a Virtual event on Fertility and COVID-19 Vaccine: Debunking Myths and Misconceptions. This event will take place on Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 6pm to 7pm with Dr. Vinita Dubey, Associate Medical Officer of Health, City of Toronto and Dr. Rutherford, Chief Obstetrics and Gynecology at SHN. Bengali and Punjabi interpreters will be available. For more information on how to participate please see this poster.
StreetSmartsTO: Safe Cycling for School-aged Children in Scarborough on Saturday May 15, 2021 from 10:30am to 11:30am. Topics will include equipment and bike fit, safe riding techniques, rules and responsibilities, interaction with others and choosing your route. For more information and to register for this event please visit this site.
The Afghan Women’s Organization is hosting a Q & A Forum on the COVID-19 Vaccine on May 16, 2021 from 2pm to 3pm. This session is offered in Arabic. For more information on how to participate please see this flyer.
The TTC would like your feedback as they develop their 5-year fare policy. Have your say and get involved by completing an online survey or by calling 1-833-949-3273. The survey will be available until June 2, 2021. You can also join a Virtual Town Hall meeting on May 19, 2021 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. For more information please visit this site.
Scarborough Business Association – Cyber Breakfast on Social Procurement on May 19, 2021 from 9:15am to 10:00am. Attend an SBA Breakfast from your home or office and be back to work by 10:00am. Connect, share information and gain knowledge. Register here.
Public invited to provide feedback on proposed City of Toronto regulations for multi-tenant houses. You can complete this questionnaire, open until May 18.
Garden Suites Survey & Consultation: The City of Toronto is seeking public and industry opinions about Garden Suites in Toronto. To provide feedback and help shape the future of Gardens Suites in Toronto, please fill out this survey.
Education Bank COVID-19 Update: In response to the new Provincial guidelines, the Education Bank will be closed for the month of April. The Education Bank has shifted to a curb side pickup model which will allow families to select materials for pick up at the Family Service Centre. You can complete the following Google Form to select items for pick up.
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.
Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Scoop – Subscribe HERE.
East Scarborough Storefront: Our KGO Updates – See the latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.
insidehousing: News from Toronto Community Housing – Subscribe HERE.
What’s On at the Library: Home Edition – Check out the latest copy HERE. Subscribe HERE.
If you need info on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:
I am continuously updating my social media platforms and my website:
You can also reach me by: telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul