Chris Glover MPP, Spadina–Fort York

Dear Neighbours,

It’s been a busy week at Queen’s Park and in the community.

In the wake of 1900 resident and 8 staff deaths from COVID-19 in long-term care homes, and in the wake of an Armed Forces report on horrific conditions experienced by LTC residents, my colleague MPP Teresa Armstrong (London-Fanshawe) introduced the Time to Care Act that would mandate four hours of hands-on care for each senior in Ontario long-term care homes. Many of today’s seniors lived through the Great Depression and World War II. When they returned, they fought for public health care, unemployment insurance, safe workplaces and many of the other social security benefits that we enjoy today. We need to stand with them now to make sure they live with dignity and care.

Last Friday, the Minister of Municipal Affairs overrode the city planning process for the development of three sites in the West Don Lands area. This is a breach of the autonomy of the city’s planning process and could jeopardize the plans for affordable housing and other community benefits that were being negotiated with developers. 

David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Dirk Huyer, Coordinator of the Provincial Outbreak Response and Adalsteinn (Steini) Brown, Co-Chair of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, announced the latest COVID-19 modelling projections for the province. You can read the modelling slides here.

There are so many issues facing our community — homelessness, the loss of storefront businesses, safe schools, the handling of the second wave of the pandemic. At Monday’s online townhall, hosted by Olivia Chow, you will have an opportunity to have your say and ask questions about these and other important issues. See registration details below.

The Pandemic Halloween may not be as scary as usual, but there are still some fun things to do. See “Fun Things To Do” below.

Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween!

Latest Developments

COVID-19 Modelling Projections:

• David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Dirk Huyer, Coordinator of the Provincial Outbreak Response and Adalsteinn (Steini) Brown, Co-Chair of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, announced the latest COVID-19 modelling projections for the province. The data shows substantial variations in the sources of outbreaks in different areas of Ontario. In Toronto, the leading sources are in schools and daycares (22%), long-term care and retirement homes (18%), and restaurants, bars and clubs (14%). You can read the modelling slides here.

Time to Care Act:

• The Time to Care Act, introduced by my colleague MPP Teresa Armstrong (London-Fanshawe) can be read here. I was happy to support this bill and put more attention on the dire need to give more care for Ontario’s seniors. Liberal and Conservative governments have underfunded Ontario’s long-term care homes for decades, leading to a crisis situation, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced the government to face their failures, and passing this act is only the first step to bring back a mandatory four-hour standard of care. If the Conservative government is serious about taking care of our seniors, they would take immediate steps to implement this act.

Ministry Zoning Orders:

• Last Friday, the Minister of Municipal Affairs overrode the city planning process for the development of three sites in the West Don Lands area. City Councillors Joe Cressy and Kristyn Wong-Tam have released a statement on the province’s actions and are hosting a community consultation on development plans for one of the sites. Scroll down Councillor Cressy’s recent update to learn more. I believe it is crucial to have local elected representatives and community members to have an opportunity to review and speak to potential developments and negotiate benefits for the immediate area. The Minister pushed through three developments breaking current height zoning restrictions without giving the City of Toronto or community members a chance to negotiate for more parkland, or a clear commitment for affordable housing. This is an affront to the city planning process. 

Transitioning from CERB to EI:

• The majority of Canadians who received CERB through Service Canada, and who continue to report a need for financial assistance, will be automatically transitioned to EI regular benefits once their 28-weeks of CERB has been paid (or when the CERB payment period ended on October 3, 2020). Claimants will receive an email or a letter informing them that they have been automatically transitioned to EI. However, some Canadians will need to re-apply for EI regular benefits to ensure Service Canada can confirm aspects of their application that were not previously required for the receipt of CERB. Claimants will receive an email or a letter providing instructions on how to apply. Applicants that have been or may be eligible for any other type of EI benefit will need to reapply. For more information call 1-800-206-7218 or visit the Service Canada website.

Construction & Road Closures:

• Ongoing construction along Union Station rail corridor. This work will take place over the course of one week starting on Saturday, October 17 until Saturday, October 24, overnight from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
  • Retaining Wall construction from Spadina Avenue to York Street.
  • Bungalow Foundation construction from Spadina Avenue to York Street.
  • Cable containment from Bathurst Street to York Street.
  • If you have any questions or concerns, please email [email protected] or call  416-202-6911.

• To advance the Ontario Line project, Metrolinx will be conducting investigative drilling work on Queen Street and Victoria Street and Duncan Street. 
  • Work is scheduled to start October 19, 2020 and last up to four weeks.
  • Work will occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Specific work times may depend on permits from the City of Toronto.
  • For more information, sign up for the newsletter at metrolinx.com/OntarioLine, email [email protected] or call 416-202-5100.

• Construction update on Bathurst Street between Fort York Blvd. and Dundas St. W:

1. Rehabilitation of the Bathurst Bridge (Sir Isaac Brock Bridge) from Fort York Blvd. to Front St. W. The City of Toronto and TTC will be renewing the aging streetcar tracks from Fort York aging streetcar tracks as part of the bridge rehabilitation work. Work will begin after 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, 2020 for up to a 3-night period. The following work onsite will take place 24/7:
   1. Excavation activities and heavy breaking will be carried out at various times throughout the day. All concrete breaking and loud activities will occur between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Concrete breaking work is the most disruptive and will typically last the first 1-2 days for each phase of the construction. 
   2. Around-the-clock work during rail installation by TTC is required to preserve the integrity and quality of new rail and concrete and to support the daytime work. Overnight rail work by TTC may consist of moving new rail into position, rail installation and rail welding/grinding.
2. Watermain Replacement on Bathurst Street (Front St. W. to Queen St. W.). Work has been completed between Front Street West and King Street West.  The contractor is currently undertaking several deficiency repairs north of King Street West, which should last a couple of weeks.
3. TTC Streetcar Track Replacement (Wolseley St. to Dundas St. W.)  Work has been completed with the exception of several deficiencies, which will be completed by the contractor over the next couple of weeks. This may result in minor traffic disruptions, at times, between Wolseley Street and Dundas Street.

Contact [email protected] or 416-392-4044 with questions.

Halloween Fun Things To Do

• Bata Shoe Museum Halloween SpookTacular: Show off your costumes at the Bata Shoe Museum. Kids in costume get in free! 327 Bloor Street West.
• Boo at the Zoo: The Toronto Zoo is offering plenty of fun this year including the “Hay-lloween Town” Special Exhibit at the Savanna Picnic Site. Turn your automobile into your very own BOOmobile and enjoy the experience from the safety and comfort of your vehicle. 2000 Meadowvale Road.
• Casa Loma Haunted House: Casa Loma is presenting spectacular and scary sets scattered throughout the renowned property’s grounds and tunnels. 1 Austin Terrace.
• Fall ’n Leaves Pop Up: The southwest corner of Bathurst & Richmond has been transformed into a licensed, cozy, social distanced experience with a pumpkin patch vibe with woodfire barbecue pit and oven. 621 Richmond Street.
• Ontario Place Open Air Halloween Cinema: Sit back in a muskoka chair and enjoy your favourite Halloween movies under the sky on a 60-foot screen in a safe and family-friendly setting at the water’s edge of Ontario Place. 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
• Pumpkin Parades: Join one of the many pumpkin parades taking place November 1st  across the city.
• Toronto’s Haunted Drive-Thru: Toronto Shines presents this immersive Halloween experience where guests drive through different themed areas including a Graveyard, Giant Kraken, a Haunted Pumpkin Patch, Haunted Movie Studio and much more. 176 Cherry Street.
• Ultimate Guide to Eating Candy: Toronto Symphony Orchestra On Demand presents an hour of musical mayhem and Halloween hilarity for the whole family.

#COVIDKindness

• Thank you to Tamer Hegazy for his generous food donation to the Spadina-Fort York Community Care and Food Program, helping provide meals to seniors, low-income families and people experiencing homelessness.

• Seeds of Hope Foundation is looking for volunteers to help with their food delivery program and clothing drive. They have served over 2000 meals and survival kits to people trying to survive outside since the pandemic began. If you would like to be involved, email [email protected].
• Food banks have seen a 200% increase in the rate of new clients accessing food banks in Toronto. Please consider making a donation to your local food bank. You can donate to the Fort York Food Bank here: https://fyfb.com/donate/. 

Reaching Out

Birthday & Anniversary Greetings:

• My office sends out congratulatory scrolls to people across the riding to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other milestones! If you have a birthday coming up in the family and you would like to request a scroll, please email us at [email protected].

Calling Local Artists:

• If you are a local artist, we would love to share your work with the community by publishing it in my newsletter and on this website. If you’re interested in sharing your art, please email us at [email protected]. Art submitted must be accompanied by a short description (50 words or less). Thank you for sharing your work with us and our community. 

Facts and Figures

ONTARIO CASES

As of 4:00 pm November 3:

Hospital:

• Hospitalized: 367 (+10)
• ICU: 75 (+2)
• Ventilated: 44 (-3)

CMOH new info:

• 51.3% of cases are female.
• Total Cases: 60+: 24.7%, 40-59: 28.5%, 20-39: 36.1%, under 20: 10.7%
• Of today’s 987 cases: 60+: 192, 40-59: 316, 20-39: 322, under 20: 157
• 8,133 (+38) healthcare workers total have tested positive (10.2% of total cases)

Schools Summary

Congregate Settings Summary:

• Retirement Homes: 57 (+2) active outbreaks, and 290 (+7) outbreaks in total.
• Hospitals: 19 (+1) active outbreaks, and 130 (+2) outbreaks in total.

• Of today’s 987 cases: 319 are in Toronto, 299 in Peel, 85 in York Region, 62 in Durham Region, 48 in Ottawa, 47 in Halton Region, 32 in Hamilton, 25 in Simcoe-Muskoka, 21 in Waterloo Region and 16 in Niagara Region.