Dear Neighbours,
Ontario has extended its emergency orders for another 10 days to at least June 9, as some areas of the province continue to see a concerning number of new cases of COVID-19. This means that outdoor playgrounds, public swimming pools, and bars and restaurants (except takeout and delivery) will remain closed.
The overcrowding at Trinity Bellwoods Park made headlines last weekend. Such crowding threatens to increase the spread of COVID-19 and undermines the sacrifices of the past two months. We are one of the most densely populated ridings in Canada -- 52% of us live alone and most of us live in mid or high rises. Our parks and public spaces are our backyards. After two months of quarantine, we need to get outside, but we need to do so safely.
The City of Toronto said it will pilot painting circles in the grass at Trinity Bellwoods park, to guide people on where to sit in order to remain two metres apart, as has been done in other cities. And there are other options available. Trillium Park at Ontario Place is now open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day. But if it looks too crowded to allow for physical distancing, please find another park or public space. There are green spaces in the CNE grounds, and although nearby Coronation Park is sectioned off with construction fencing, it is possible to find space there as well.
Our community was rocked with another shooting on Wednesday when a 21-year-old was killed and two others injured including a 15-year-old boy and a 27-year-old woman in a shooting in the Entertainment District. My gun violence work group continues to work with the city, victims of gun violence and former gang members to find long term solutions to bring an end to this crisis.
Thirty-six members of the Canadian Forces have now been infected with COVID-19 (14 in Ontario) while providing emergency relief in long-term care homes. The Force’s work in long-term care Homes has led to a report that describes horrific conditions suffered by seniors in these homes. This has been a long-standing issue highlighted by a public inquiry, the Ontario Health Association and seniors advocacy groups. The way that we can honour the sacrifices made by our Canadian Forces, front-line long-term care staff and the seniors who have been so horribly treated is to have a public inquiry to fix the situation and never let it happen again.
The pandemic is laying bare the social and economic issues that plague our society: gun violence, seniors care and homelessness. We need to take these lessons and use this opportunity to create a more just and equal society coming out of this pandemic.
Stay safe, in doing so, you help keep everyone safe.
Latest Developments
Long-Term Care Report:
- The Ontario government outlined key findings from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) report on the five long-term care homes at which the military has been assisting. To date, one death has been referred to the Office of the Chief Coroner for investigation. In addition to continued regular inspections, the Ministry of Long-Term Care Inspections Branch says it will immediately investigate specific critical incidents referred to in the report. The report is available to download here or you can view it on the TVO website.
- Frontline workers still haven’t received the pandemic pay top-up that was promised to some of them a month ago. According to a letter sent by a group of health care CEOs to the Premier, this failure has led to “extreme morale issues” for frontline staff and created conflict for employers. The Official Opposition is calling for all frontline workers to get a pay raise and must be retroactive to the beginning of the crisis.
Business Update:
- The federal government’s commercial rent relief program for small businesses opened this week although the program has been widely panned, with many business owners saying their landlords have refused to sign on. In Ontario, business groups have called on the government to issue a moratorium on commercial evictions, a call that has been continuously refused. The Official Opposition would like to see the government adopt their Save Main Street plan, which includes a 75% commercial rent subsidy.
- Canada has reached a deal with General Motors to produce 20 million face masks at their Oshawa plant in Durham Region, something Oshawa MPP Jennifer French called for last month, asking the government to push GM to manufacture badly needed PPE in its mostly empty assembly plant.
- Porter Airlines is deferring its resumption of flights until July 29, one month later than previously scheduled, due to ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions.
- The Department of National Defence announced today the first of a series of calls for innovations aimed at addressing some of the key challenges Canada is facing. With an initial commitment of $15M, the first three challenges focus on: 1) Viable and effective processes and methods for safely and rapidly decontaminating enclosed work environments (e.g., buildings and modes of transportation) containing sensitive equipment; 2) Innovative material and designs to aid in decontamination of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), operational clothing and equipment for personnel responding to events involving biological hazards; and 3) Data gathering solutions to support the early detection and community-based monitoring of outbreaks of contagious diseases.
- Prime Minister Trudeau says his government will look at bringing in 10 days of paid sick leave for workers – a policy the federal NDP has been pushing for.
COVID-19 Data:
- This Official Opposition is pushing for the publication of Ontario’s “hot spots”. Although the Premier said this week that certain areas of the GTA are “lighting up like a Christmas tree” in terms of COVID-19 case numbers, the government refuses to release the specific locations and details.
Homelessness Update:
- The City of Toronto has leased 98 The Esplanade for use as a temporary respite centre to temporarily house approximately 35 individuals to allow for safe physical distancing in each respite facility. The site will be operated by St. Felix Centre.
Cycling:
- Kudos to the City of Toronto for expanding the bike lane infrastructure. Encouraging cycling by creating separated bike lanes along University Avenue will not only allow healthcare and business workers along the street to move about, they will save lives, and by reducing cars, help to maintain the cleaner air that will help keep us all healthier.
#covidkindness
On Sundays a group of volunteers has been making and delivering 150 meals to the residents of Portland Place and to the homeless in the community. I’d like to thank all of the volunteers involved, beginning with Shauna Harris of the Ontario Federation of Labour who coordinates the whole effort, and:
- Steve Kidron and the volunteers from Kitchen 24
- Tina Sahay
- Karen Langill and her team: Sarah Wey, Abbie Adelman, Grant Orchard, Tina McPhee, Carlo Bucci, Callum Orchard, Jim Paterson, Derek Tutt, Jeanne Armstrong, Carolyn Baxter
- Anna Jessup, Louis George, Zuzana Betkova, Sheila Lacroix, Meghan Janes, Bogous
- Ian Foulds IATSE 873 and his team at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church: Michael, Sara, Nicki and Indra
- Alden Torres, James Chapman and Pranav Bakaraju
Mutual Aid
-
- Asian Unification Project: Targets Asian people who are disabled, immunocompromised, or 50+. Individuals can request grocery delivery or errand running.
- The Bright Spot: An online community where older adults can shine, offering everything from exercise classes and small online group discussions to trivia nights and mindfulness tutorials – all free of charge. Offered by the YMCA of Greater Toronto.
- Canadian Muslim Response Network: Anyone in need across Toronto can request emergency kits including non-perishable food items, and essential hygiene and cleaning products.
- CareMongering-TO: Community Response to COVID19. Can request or offer aid (including grocery delivery and other resources) by posting in the Facebook group, filling in a Google form (to offer aid), or filling in a spreadsheet (to request aid).
- COVIDTO GlideApp: An all-in-one community resource that is updated by volunteers
- DonateTO: The City launched this online portal, making it easy for businesses and residents to make direct donations of products, services, and funds in support of the City’s relief efforts.
- Friendly Neighbour Hotline (UHN Open Lab): Toronto seniors who live in low-income housing can request grocery and supply aid. Torontonians can volunteer after a vetting process and online training. 1-855-581-9580 (Hotline Phone Number)
- GDNA Help/Give Forum: Community residents can ask for help and other residents can offer assistance.
- Good Neighbour Project: GTA-wide, Facebook-based network of community members willing to assist with supply and grocery delivery to those with disabilities, compromised immune systems, accessibility barriers, and the elderly. Requests for aid can be made by calling the helpline (647-873-2230) or sending an email.
- Queen West Resilience Gardens and Recipe Books: With the many challenges brought on by COVID-19, the Queen West BIA has created Resilience Gardens and Recipe Books for households to grow some food at home. Sign up for your FREE kit.
- ShopHERE: Connects volunteers in Toronto’s technology sector with business owners who need e-commerce training and support in digital marketing and shipping. Tech companies and professionals who’d like to offer guidance can sign up online. To qualify for the program, a business must have fewer than 10 employees, or fewer than 25 employees if a restaurant or bar; pay commercial property taxes; and not be a chain or franchise. Eligible businesses and artists must be located in the City of Toronto.
- The 519 (Community Centre serving the LGBTQ2S community): Free takeaway meals, 7 days a week 1pm and 4pm, Monday to Friday 12:30pm, 12:30pm Saturday and Sunday. Location: In front of the Fabarnak Cafe, 519 Church St.
- Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre: Bagged meals available for pick-up only at the side door. Weekdays: Breakfast: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM; Lunch: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM; Dinner: 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM. Weekends: Breakfast: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM; Lunch: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (Sunday 12-12:30). Location: 439 Dundas St. E. at Parliament
- The Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) is creating engaging and informative webinars for the non-profit sector to adapt to the changing world in light of COVID-19. All registered participants will receive a recording of the webinar and slide deck. Please contact [email protected] if you have questions.
Working with Spadina-Fort York’s Elected Representatives
COVID-19 is an unprecedented situation that requires all levels of government to work closely together. I am working closely with my Municipal and Federal counterparts to discuss how we can support Spadina-Fort York residents, businesses and other organizations. For more detail on the Municipal and Federal responses, please click the links below:
Facts and Figures
ONTARIO
Cases:
As of 4:00 pm May 25:
Tuesday May 26 |
Tuesday May 26 |
Cases |
26,191 |
NEW |
287 – 1.1% increase |
Deaths |
2,123 (+21) |
Recovered |
19,958 (76.2%) |
Tests completed in the previous 24 hours |
9,875 |
Backlog – waiting to be processed |
6,961 |
Total tests completed |
629,414 |
Hospital:
- Hospitalized: 848
- ICU: 143
- Ventilated: 113
Chief Medical Officer of Health:
- 56.0% of cases are female
- 40.7% are aged 60+
- 65.1% are in the GTA
- 4,485 healthcare workers total have tested positive (17.1% of total cases)
Congregate Settings Summary:
|
Resident / Patient Cases |
Resident / Patient Deaths |
Staff Cases |
Staff Deaths |
Active Outbreaks |
Cumulative Outbreaks |
Long Term Care Homes |
4,892 (+30) |
1,335 (+12) |
1,703 (+25) |
4 (=) |
201 (-2) |
297 (+2) |
Retirement Homes |
630 (+1) |
134 (=) |
327 (+6) |
0 (=) |
80 (-1) |
123 (=) |
Hospitals |
349 (+2) |
64 (+5) |
349 (+2) |
0 (-1) |
52 (=) |
82 (=) |