September 2 - eNews & COVID-19 Update

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

I can't believe it's already September! This summer has certainly been like no other, and I'd like to once again thank everyone for doing their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19. That said, with school around the corner and more people heading back to work, we have to remember to stay vigilant in our efforts and continue to follow the advice of public health officials. Dr. Eileen de Villa has stated that there is no question that we will see a resurgence in the number of cases of COVID-19.   Please continue to avoid crowds, closed spaces, and close contact with people outside your bubble. And as always, remember to wash your hands often, wear a mask, and watch your distance. Read on to find out more about the City's COVID-19 Resurgence Plan. Another important resource on the City's website is available to help parents prepare for sending kids back to school during COVID-19.  Sincerely, Frances

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Upcoming Events

Sunday, September 27 Community Environment Day  This year, Community Environment Days will be set up as drive-thru events at the City’s seven Drop-Off Depots. The York South-Weston edition takes place on Sunday, September 27 at Ingram Drop-Off Depot (50 Ingram Dr) from 9 AM-1 PM. This is a great opportunity to help reduce the amount of reusable or recyclable waste going to landfill and to safely dispose of household hazardous waste.  At the event, you will be to drive to different stations across the City to drop off clothing, books and unwanted items for donation and to dispose of batteries, old paint and other household hazardous waste. Free bagged compost will be available (limit of two bags per vehicle while supplies last). A list of event dates and more information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/environment_days. Check out the flyer here. 

Upcoming Meetings

Wednesday, September 9th  Etobicoke York Community Council 

Etobicoke York Community Council will be held at 9:30 AM by video conference. The agenda for the meeting is available here. 

15 Martha Eaton Way Public Meeting

As part of the Etobicoke York Community Council agenda, Item EY 17.3 is the final report for the development at 15 Martha Eaton Way. The Item highlights the main recommendations from City Planning's report. The full report is available here. As part of the hearing for this Item, the public is invited to make comments on the final report. Please click here to view the notice of public meeting and instruction for how to register if you wish to make a deputation at the virtual meeting. 

News

TTC Survey on Jane St RapidTO Expansion 

Jane Street from Eglinton Avenue to Steeles Avenue was identified as the second priority bus lane to be implemented as part of the RapidTO program. TTC has begun design options for the corridor. As a first step, TTC has developed several preliminary options for the routes that operate on the corridor. They are looking for feedback from the public on these potential service concepts. This survey is the first of many opportunities for engagement on this corridor. Later in the fall, TTC and the City will hold public meetings to gather further feedback on the corridor. To learn more about the Jane Street priority bus lane, click here. To take the initial survey, please click here. 

Virtual Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) The Canadian Exhibition made the historic decision to cancel its iconic fair for only the second occasion in its 142-year history - not since the Second World War has the CNE closed in its entirely. Although the CNE gates won't be opening this summer, the CNE is continuing the tradition of bringing fun to Torontonians until September 7th with a Virtual CNE. This offers some of its favourite shows, experiences, recipes, and memories online at its exciting new CNE At Home Portal, which can be accessed through the CNE website at www.theex.com Indulge in all the quintessential CNE experiences at home, including CNE Jam sessions online featuring Toronto bands and artists; Rising Star Youth Competition with online voting; and virtual rides, ghost walks, and the President's Choice SuperDogs show, among many more. Ontario Expanding Seniors Dental Care Program  The Ontario government is providing $25 million to expand access to the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program. The funding will be used to support 78 infrastructure projects across the province, including building new dental clinics and renovating existing facilities. The province is also adding eight new mobile dental clinics that will bring services directly to clients, making it easier for vulnerable seniors to access the dental care they need. The funding will also be used to build new dental clinics and make upgrades and expansions to existing clinics at public health units, participating community health centres and Aboriginal Health Access Centres. These projects are expected to be completed by March 31, 2021. Find out more here.  Service Canada Launches New Virtual E-Services

In response to COVID-19, Service Canada has launched a number of new virtual e-services to continue to provide support to individuals who need assistance to access benefits and services from their home. Social Insurance Numbers are essential for accessing government services and benefits. Through the eSIN portal, individuals can submit a SIN application entirely online within a secure and protected environment. Additionally, the eServiceCanada allows requiring assistance from Service Canada to submit an online request and receive a callback from a Service Canada officer within two business days.

COVID-19 Updates

City of Toronto presents COVID-19 Resurgence Plan

The City has prepared the COVID-19 Resurgence Plan, which outlines priorities and associated actions that the City will implement in the event of a resurgence of COVID-19.

The five priority areas of the City’s response are:

• implement public health measures

• support vulnerable populations

• support City employees

• mitigate the impact to Toronto’s economy and

• ensure the resiliency of City services and a coordinated response.

The City, including its agencies and corporations, conducted a review of its COVID-19 response during the first wave in order to identify what worked well, challenges and practical actions to improve preparedness for future resurgences of COVID-19. Additionally, the plan takes into account the colder weather of the coming months and the associated impacts on people and services. Find out more about the plan here. 

Preparing for School During COVID-19

The City's COVID-19 website (toronto.ca/covid19) has a wealth of resources for all things COVID-19 related. With school starting just around the corner, I'd like to highlight the information available for parents preparing to send their kids back. Please click here to jump to that thread. 

City of Toronto extends outdoor sport field season due to COVID-19

The City’s outdoor sport and multi-use fields will remain open until Sunday, October 25 and permits will be issued for the remainder of the 2020 season.

As a result of pandemic-related restrictions, many of the City’s outdoor sport and multi-use fields opened on July 6 for team training, and permits were issued for the summer season. The outdoor sport field season usually concludes in September. Despite City staff’s quick work to open these outdoor recreation amenities as part of Toronto’s Stage 2 reopening, the season was significantly shortened. While the season will be extended as part of Toronto’s Stage 3 reopening, both the types of activities and the number of people allowed on the field will continue to be restricted to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Staff continue to work closely with Toronto Public Health to ensure that people can train safely at the City’s outdoor sport and multi-use fields. To allow for physical distancing and comply with provincial orders restricting gatherings, the capacity at the City’s outdoor sport and multi-use fields remains reduced to 100 people per field. That includes participants and coaches, as well as parents, guardians and other spectators. All City outdoor sport and multi-use fields offer team training and games, with leagues capped at 50 participants to comply with provincial restrictions. Players should continue to use individual equipment wherever possible and permit holders should ensure that any provided equipment is cleaned between use. Permit holders continue to be required to maintain attendance records to facilitate Toronto Public Health contact tracing if needed.

More information about recreation opportunities in Toronto is available at toronto.ca/rec. Information about permits for outdoor recreation facilities is available online.

City of Toronto update on COVID-19

There are 16,127 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 48 today. There are 30 people hospitalized. In total, 14,565 people have recovered from COVID-19. To date, there have been 1,175 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.

Toronto Public Health staff will be attending shopping malls and retail spaces to ensure compliance with public health requirements. Those shopping in person are encouraged to shop at times when stores may be less busy or to try shopping online, when possible. Residents should wear a mask and keep a physical distance while shopping, and always wash or sanitize their hands after being in a store or public place and not go out if they are feeling ill. Public health guidance for retail stores and shopping malls is available online.

Provincial orders under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act and the City bylaw on physical distancing remain in effect. Yesterday, the City received 28 complaints related to parks use and physical distancing. Officers cautioned more than 4,800 people last month about physical distancing, alcohol, bonfires and littering bylaws; 28 people were cautioned yesterday.

As more of the city’s businesses continue to reopen, residents can learn about what to expect and what is required as Toronto moves into the new normal and they begin to visit more establishments and take part in more activities at toronto.ca/ReopenTO.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check toronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.