Chris Glover MPP, Spadina–Fort York

Dear Neighbours,

Back to school during this pandemic year is different from any year in the history of Ontario’s schools. I visited a few schools this week and was impressed with the work the principals, teachers and staff are doing to get schools ready for our children. At the same time, we need the provincial government to invest the money necessary for smaller, safer classes for students. The health and safety of our children, parents and of all the staff who work in our schools must be paramount.

September is Bike Month. For those of us who use a bike to get around, I wish to express gratitude to Councillor Cressy and the city for the ActiveTO program and for the rapid expansion of bicycle lanes. Bike Month will be different this year, but there are many ways to get involved. See “Fun Things To Do” below. 

Ontario’s college and university students already faced the country’s highest debt levels. With the loss of summer earnings and an online fall semester without the usual campus activities, we are asking the provincial government for $1,000 in pandemic relief for students ($500 for part-time students). Some students joined me for a virtual press conference yesterday to discuss some of the issues they’re facing.

Please join me tomorrow evening, Thursday, September 3rd at 7:00 pm, when I will host Pandemic Relief for Post-Secondary Students, an online town hall where I will be joined by students and student associations to discuss this very important issue. You can register at https://publicsquare.io/live/relief-for-students.

You can also sign my petition for pandemic relief for post-secondary students here.

Wishing everyone a safe return to school,

Latest Developments

Upcoming Event

Pandemic Relief for Post-Secondary Students Town Hall

On Thursday, September 3rd at 7:00 pm, please join me for a discussion with post-secondary students and student associations about their concerns going back to school in the fall.

We are demanding the Ontario government provide $1000 in pandemic relief for Ontario college and university students ($500 for part-time students).

Please register here and sign our petition here.

Reopening Schools:

• The province will receive $381 million from the Federal government this fall. The funding will go towards the Reopening Plan Implementation ($200 million), Student Transportation ($70 million), Special Education and Mental Health Supports Enhancement ($12.5 million), Additional Public Health Nurses ($12.5 million) and Remote Learning ($36 million). The province is also setting aside $50 million for any future pandemic learning needs, to ensure that Ontario is prepared for every scenario this fall. Pending federal approvals in December, the Ministry of Education will announce the second half of the payment later this year for the remainder of the school year.
• The federal funding is welcome, especially in light of the $700 million in cuts that our schools faced this year because of a provincial government funding shortfall.
• The Ontario government has released the Operational Guidance: COVID-19 Management in Schools document. This guide was developed in consultation with public health experts, including Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, and aims to help schools identify and isolate COVID-19 cases, reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools, and prevent and minimize outbreaks.
• The Chief Medical Officer of Health is also issuing an additional public health guidance, COVID-19 Guidance: School Outbreak Management, for medical officers of health and public health units to support their efforts in investigating cases, outbreaks, and suspected outbreaks in school settings.
• The Ontario Medical Association is encouraging the Ontario government to use the federal funds to make Ontario’s schools the safest possible.
• The Toronto District School Board is asking the Ontario government to hire more staff, and nurses, and provide additional resources to combat COVID-19 as students return to school. TDSB Chair Alexander Brown issued a letter to Health Minister Christine Elliott and Education Minister Stephen Lecce expressing the board’s “deep concerns” with the lack of nurses available to support students and staff, who are set to return to school in three weeks.
• After the major education unions filed complaints with Ontario’s labour board, Premier Ford urged them to work with the government on its school reopening plan. Today the Premier said he will take advice from the health experts, not teachers’ unions.

Airbnb/Short-Term Rental Update:

• The City of Toronto has begun a process that requires the owners of all short-term rentals in the city to register beginning on September 10th. Information is available here.  
• The City’s current bylaw allows short-term rentals only for primary residents to a maximum of 180 nights/year. Further information is available here.

Relief for Small Businesses:

• The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides a one time, on-bill credit to eligible small businesses and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. To apply for CEAP funding, customers should contact their energy provider. Electricity and natural gas utilities and unit sub-meter providers (USMPs) began accepting applications for CEAP-SB on August 31, 2020. CEAP-SB funding is limited, with utilities and USMPs expected to process applications in the order in which they are received. Please note, submitting an application does not guarantee funding. For more information, including eligibility requirements and on-bill credit amounts, visit oeb.ca/ceap.

• RBC and partners have contributed 5 cents up to a maximum contribution amount of $2 million to the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund. The fund will provide small businesses with grants of up to $5,000 to cover expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE), renovations to accommodate re-opening guidelines and developing or improving e-commerce capabilities. Applications for the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be accepted starting on August 31, 2020, at 1 p.m. (EST). More information can be found here.

Long-Term Care Update:

• The Ontario government announced that long-term care residents can once again leave their residences for short-stay and temporary absences. Following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, effective immediately, residents can spend time away from their long-term care homes for day trips or overnight absences. The new Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes under the LongTerm Care Homes Act, 2007 has been published online.

Credit for Persons with Disabilities:

• You may be entitled to receive a one-time, tax-free payment of up to $600 to assist with additional expenses you may have during the pandemic. The Federal government will provide the payment automatically to individuals who:
  • Are holders of a valid Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate;
  • Currently receive Canada Pension Plan disability benefits or
  • Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits; or
  • Are in receipt of disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada.

The CRA can help you apply for this credit at no charge. For more information, go to canada.ca/disability-tax-credit or call 1-800-959-8281.

Homeowner Protection:

• Effective September 14, 2020, Tarion has made changes to better protect homeowners. As recommended in the Auditor General of Ontario’s report, Tarion is making these interim changes to increase homeowners’ ability to seek assistance under the new home warranty and protection program. Tarion sought public input on these interim changes from January to March of 2020. As of August 27, 2020, all builder repair periods have resumed for all outstanding warranty items. Homeowners with warranty claim submissions or requests for conciliation due between March 16 and September 11, 2020 will have until September 11, 2020 to submit warranty forms or requests for conciliation. For more information, visit www.tarion.com.

Contact Tracing Information:

• The Ontario Medical Association is publishing regular Community InfoBulletins to provide information about COVID-19 and our health-care system. Contact tracing information is now available on the OMA’s website in English, French and 19 other languages. 

Federal News:

• The application deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) is extended from August 31 to October 31. The Finance minister also announced that the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) is extended to June 2021.
• The Prime Minister announced that agreements in principle have been reached with Johnson & Johnson and Novavax to procure millions of doses of experimental COVID 19 vaccines. These agreements add to those already reached with Pfizer and Moderna, which were made following the recommendations of the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.
• Travel restrictions have been extended by one month to September 30 to limit the spread of COVID-19. Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are returning home to Canada will continue to be subjected to strict quarantine measures.

Daughters of the Vote Program:

• Applications for the third iteration of our Daughters of the Vote (DOV) program are now open! DOV is an ambitious initiative that began in 2017 to mark the 100th anniversary of some women getting the right to vote in Canada, and the still incomplete journey of women’s full participation in politics today. Applications are now open until October 1, 2020 to young women and gender-diverse youth, born between January 1st, 1993 and December 31st, 2001. More information on eligibility, and program details, can be found here: www.equalvoice.ca/dov.

Construction & Road Closures:

• Ongoing construction along Union Station rail corridor. GO Expansion continues to improve, update, and modernize our infrastructure. This work will take place over the course of one week starting on Saturday, August 29 until Saturday, September 5, overnight from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
  • Retaining wall construction from Spadina Avenue to York Street.
  • Backfilling and panel construction from Spadina Avenue to John Street.
  • Bungalow foundation construction from Spadina Avenue to York Street.
  • Insulated joint installation 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.
• Go Expansion will also conduct construction along the Union Station Rail Corridor - West. This work will take place over the course of one week starting on Saturday, September 5 until Saturday, September 12, overnight from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Here's what to expect:
  • SCD retrofitting and testing will take place.
  • There will be an installation of junction boxes.
  • Foundation for high mast daylights poles will be laid down.
  • Retaining Wall construction from Spadina Avenue to York Street.
  • Backfilling and Panel construction from Spadina Avenue to John Street.
  • Bungalow Foundation construction from Spadina Avenue to York Street.
  • Insulated Joint Installation from Spadina Avenue to York Street.
  • Cable containment from Bathurst Street to York Street.

• To advance the Ontario Line project, Metrolinx will be evaluating the underground conditions of the area where the subway will be built. Work is done by using a small drill rig that drills into the ground, collecting soil and rock samples for further testing. 
  • Investigative night drilling work on Portland Street near Adelaide Street West is scheduled to start August 31, 2020 and last up to two months. Work will occur between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., Monday to Saturday. 
  • Investigative drilling work on Niagara Street near Tecumseth Street. Work is scheduled to start August 24, 2020 and last up to three weeks. Work will occur between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
  • Investigative drilling work at Bathurst Street and Stewart Street. Work is scheduled to start August 18, 2020 and last up to three weeks. Work will occur between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

For more information, sign up for the newsletter at metrolinx.com/OntarioLine, email [email protected] or call 416-202-5100.

• The City of Toronto will rehabilitate a section of a 112-year-old Cross Harbour Tunnel located below Lake Ontario from Muggs Island to the John Street Pumping Station (JSPS). The tunnel is a large pipe that carries cold water from the Island Water Treatment Plant to the JSPS and supplies water to Enwave for deep lake water cooling. Work above ground will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, with work after hours and on weekends as required. There will be road and sidewalk restrictions on Lake Shore Blvd. north of the Rees Street parking lot. Sidewalks will remain open on the north side of Lake Shore Blvd. between Lower Spadina and Rees Street. This project will take about 10 months to complete and will abide by noise by-laws. For more information, call 416-392-8210 or email [email protected].

Fun Things To Do

• Bike Month 2020: Bike Month is an opportunity for people to try riding a bike for the first time, learn new skills, or simply have fun and connect with new people. It’s taking the time to rekindle the youthful magic of exploring your neighbourhood by bike or share that joy with the next generation of bike riders. Bike Month is a celebration of biking. Stop by one of Cycle Toronto’s Commuter Stations and grab a tote bag filled with goodies:
  • Bike Month Commuter Station Powered by MEC
  • September 3 and September 17 5:00 to 7:00 pm. 300 Queen St. W.
  • Bike Month Commuter Station Powered by Intelliware Development
  • September 15 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Adelaide Street E & Simcoe Street.
• CNE At Home: Although the iconic lights of the midway won’t shine at the CNE this year, that doesn't mean you can't check out some of your favourite fair features online! From August 21 to September 7 the new CNE At Home online portal will share some of the fair's most popular shows, favourite food recipes, tricks of the trade from buskers, historical retrospectives, new music performances and much more! Visit the website here for information.
• Luminato Creative Current: Luminato Festival Toronto is pleased to announce the launch of Creative Current, a year-round programme of intimate performances in unusual places, designed for culturally curious millennials. The first Creative Current event will take place on the evening of Saturday, September 19 throughout Toronto’s Junction Triangle neighbourhood. The event will take the audience, on bicycles, to hidden public spaces, to discover some of the city’s hottest up-and-coming artists. Exact locations will be revealed to the lucky participants who secure one of the 30 available tickets, which will be released at luminatofestival.com/CreativeCurrent on Wednesday, September 9 at 12 noon.
• Ontario Place: Enjoy great comedy, live music and feature films 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.
  • Toronto Shines will present the best in live entertainment, comedy and current and classic films. It is running now through October.
  • Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival, a not-for-profit organization that creates opportunities for young jazz artists to showcase their talent, will present a virtual jazz festival in Trillium Park on September 5-6.

• Toronto International Film Festival: The 45th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival is taking place September 10-19. For the first time in our history, TIFF has launched a digital platform, affording new opportunities to connect with audiences beyond Toronto. Over the 10 days, the platform will host digital film screenings, as well as numerous talks and special events. This year’s selection of films comprises a lineup of 50 new feature films along with five programmes of short films, as well as interactive talks, film cast reunions, and Q&As with cast and filmmakers.

#covidkindness

This week, I delivered hundreds of reusable masks to co-op residents in the riding!

This uplifting sidewalk art shared with us by the Ossington BIA was created by street artist, Victor Fraser. More of Victor’s work can be seen on Instagram @whatsvictorupto.

Facts and Figures

ONTARIO CASES

As of 4:00 pm September 13:

Hospital:

• Hospitalized: 47 (+8)
• ICU: 17 (+3)
• Ventilated: 8 (-1)

CMOH new info:

• 52.3% of cases are female.
• 60+: 31.1%, 40-59: 29.4%, 20-39: 32.3%, under 20: 7.1% (total cases)

Of today’s 313 new cases, 210 (67.1%) were under the age of 40.

• 6,823 (+20) healthcare workers total have tested positive (15.2% of total cases)

Schools Summary:

Congregate Settings Summary:

• Retirement Homes: 18 (+1) active outbreaks, and 195 (+1) outbreaks in total.
• Hospitals: 2 (=) active outbreaks, and 98 (=) outbreaks in total.

• Of today’s 313 new cases, 112 were in Toronto, 71 in Peel, 60 in Ottawa and 13 in York Region.
• During today’s CMOH briefing, Dr. Williams confirmed that Ontario’s R0 (reproductive rate) of COVID-19 is currently 1.1, and as higher as 1.4 in some regions of the province.
• Dr. Yaffe said that Public Health Ontario is working on expanding testing, including the use of mouth swabs and testing in other locations including physician’s offices.