April 7 - Update

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

April 7th is World Health Day and I would like to extend my sincerest admiration and gratitude for our nurses who are working through this pandemic. Thank you! 

OpenLab, a design and innovation studio at Toronto General Hospital, has created a service to help seniors in low-income housing by connecting them with volunteers throughout Toronto who can help pick up essentials like groceries and household items. They are looking to expand their networks and need more volunteers in York South—Weston. If you are interested in volunteering, please submit this intake form.

If you are a senior who could use support from this service, please call their Friendly Neighbour Hotline at 1-855-581-9580 on Mon-Fri between 9 AM-5 PM. 

The Province of Ontario has made immediate financial relief available for families with small children. Families can fill out a simple online application form to receive a one-time payment of $200 for each child aged 0 to 12, or $250 for children 21 years old or younger with special needs. To find out more info and to apply, go to https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-support-families. 

Stay home and stay safe!

Sincerely,

Frances Nunziata

Here's the key information you need to know today:

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Clothing drop boxes

An emerging concern is the accumulation of donated goods, as well as garbage, surrounding full clothing drop boxes. Right now, in response to COVID-19, many charities are not accepting donations or emptying boxes. Mayor Tory announced today that, to address concerns of overflowing boxes and litter surrounding boxes, City Solid Waste Management Services workers will be collecting items left around bins and clearing the areas. The City urges all residents who want to make a donation to confirm with charities whether or not they are currently accepting donations. Illegal dumping of garbage by donation bins is not permitted and concerned residents can call 311 to report this.

Troubling reports regarding compliance with various pandemic-related orders and closures 

Yesterday, the City received 55 complaints related to non-essential businesses remaining open in contravention of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Since March 24, MLS has issued notices to 34 non-essential businesses. 

The City also received 385 complaints yesterday alone about people using closed park amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. MLS spoke to 848 people regarding the closure of park amenities and distancing and issued 12 tickets – the highest number of tickets issued by MLS in a single day since the start of the pandemic. 

For the latest updates from the Federal Government, please click here. 

For the latest updates from the Province of Ontario, please click here.