COVID-19 Update
As we enter another week of physical distancing, I hope that you are keeping connected with family, friends, and our local community virtually from the safety of your home. In this challenging time, please remember that it is as important to take care of your mental health as it is your physical health. You can find a number of resources, supports, and suggestions related to mental health on the City's website.
This afternoon, the Premier introduced a preliminary three-stage framework for reopening Ontario's economy. The latest Provincial modelling shows encouraging signs that the Public Health measures in Ontario are working, thanks to all those who are continuing to practice physical distancing. On that note, it is more important than ever for us to stay the course until our Medical Officers conclude that we have the resources and systems in place to enter the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Province has ordered all non-essential workplaces to remain closed until May 6, 2020 and has extended the State of Emergency in Ontario to May 12, 2020. On Sunday, the Minister of Education announced that all publicly-funded schools would remain closed until at least May 31, 2020.
I know Toronto's businesses are hurting and as a long-time supporter of our small business community, it breaks my heart to see locked doors and shuttered windows on our main streets. In this update, you can find important new information on programs implemented by all three levels of government to support businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the meantime, the City has a dedicated team working around-the-clock to prepare for the day when we can safely re-open Toronto's economy and enter the recovery period. I hope that we will soon see our City's vibrant and dynamic business community thriving again.
On April 30, 2020, City Council will be meeting virtually for the first time since the declaration of a State of Emergency in Toronto. The meeting will be open to the public and you can follow the proceedings online, here.
Below, you can find more updates on the local, provincial, and national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
My team remains available to serve you by phone at 416-395-6408, or by email at councillor_robinson@toronto.ca.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement.
Support for Small Businesses
Last week, the City launched the BusinessTO Support Centre to provide virtual, one-on-one support for Toronto businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. BusinessTO will be available for all sectors and will help business owners apply for any government support programs they are eligible to receive. In addition, the Support Centre will host a weekly webinar series to provide information on new and existing government programs for local business owners.
The BusinessTO Support Centre can be accessed on the City's website, here: https://www.toronto.ca/covid19BusinessTO.
I know that one of the most significant challenges small business owners are facing is commercial rent payments. While the City does not have any legal authority to intervene in the relationship between landlords and commercial tenants – that responsibility falls under Provincial jurisdiction – we have been advocating for the other levels of government to address this issue.
On April 24, the Government of Canada announced the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program, which will lower rent by 75% for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19. The CECRA program, jointly funded by the Provincial and Federal Government, will provide forgivable loans to qualifying property owners to cover 50% of three monthly rent payments. In order for the loan to be forgiven, commercial property owners must reduce the rent of small businesses by at least 75% for the months of April (retroactively), May, and June.
You can find more information about CECRA on the Federal government's website. If you have any questions about how to access the program, I would encourage you to contact your Member of Parliament (MP).
A number of local business owners have also expressed frustration with the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) eligibility criteria. The Federal government has announced that it will be replacing the original criteria – which only made CEBA accessible to businesses who paid between $50,000-$1 million in total payroll during 2019 – to now include those that paid between $20,000-$1.5 million.
In partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), the Federal government has launched the new Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan and Guarantee program that will enable up to $40 billion in additional lending. The program will help Canada’s financial institutions provide much-needed funding options for Canadian businesses. To learn more about how you can access these loans, please contact your primary financial institution.
This morning, the Government of Canada launched the application portal for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). Businesses and their representatives can now find three different application options on the Federal government's website.
Earlier this month, the City also expanded its Digital Main Street (DMS) program to help local businesses build and enhance their online services during this difficult time. Created in collaboration with TABIA, DMS offers tools for businesses to transition to a digital platform, including connections to trusted digital vendors, structured online learning, and a Digital Service Squad who are trained to provide one-on-one assistance.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has tripled this year's original funding for DMS from $240,000 to $825,000.
Local businesses can complete the Digital Main Street onboarding process and receive a free Digital Assessment and recommended to-do list at digitalmainstreet.ca/toronto.
Shop Local, Eat Local
In partnership with our Ward 15 BIAs and members of the Thorncliffe Park community, my team has developed a "Shop Local, Eat Local" initiative to promote our local businesses. You can find a full list of participating vendors on my website.
Two local residents of our very own Davisville Village neighbourhood - Tim and Alnur - created a platform called Local Bee, after seeing the impacts of COVID-19 closures on their close friends and families who operate small businesses. Local Bee encourages shoppers to pre-purchase gift cards or vouchers that can be used when vendors reopen. Find out what shops you can support by visiting their website today!
In addition, there is a national movement encouraging Canadians to order takeout every Wednesday in support of local restaurants. You can learn more about the Takeout Day initiative, here.
If you are planning to shop online or order take-out meals, please consider choosing to support a small business in our community. Every dollar counts!
Long-Term Care Homes in Toronto
Toronto's long-term care homes continue to be disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. My thoughts are with both the residents who have been affected by virus, as well as their friends and family, who are doing their best to support loved ones from a distance. We must continue to keep our most vulnerable residents at the forefront of the response to this pandemic.
Last week, the Government of Ontario provided an update on the COVID-19 Action Plan for Protecting Long-Term Care Homes. The Province has introduced more aggressive testing, screening, and surveillance, deployed specialized teams from hospitals, public health and the home care sector, recruited additional frontline staff, and increased personal protective equipment.
On April 22, the Premier formally requested the assistance of the Canadian Armed Forces in Ontario's long-term care homes. Local Response Forces have since been deployed to five homes in the Greater Toronto Area to bolster their support services. Troops are currently stationed at Orchard Villa Retirement Residence in Pickering, Altamount Care Community in Scarborough, Eatonville Care Centre in Etobicoke, Hawthorne Place in North York and Holland Christian Homes’ Grace Manor in Brampton.
To learn more about the Province's Action Plan for Long-Term Care Homes, please visit their website.
CurbTO
Today, the City announced CurbTO, a new program to promote physical distancing in public spaces by temporarily re-allocating road space where there is a demonstrated need.
CurbTO includes two key initiatives:
Curb Lane Pedestrian Zones to increase space for pedestrians where sidewalk crowding has been observed, such as queuing areas in front of essential businesses; and
Temporary Parking Pick-Up Zones to expedite food and medicine pick-ups by providing drivers and delivery agents with a 10-minute parking zone in close proximity to essential businesses in otherwise restricted parking areas.
All changes will be accompanied by signage outlining the specific restrictions in place.
This program will be rolled-out at 100 locations across the City – the first 10 of which will be installed today. City staff will be assessing the unique needs of each chosen location on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropriate approach.
To suggest a location for the City to consider, residents can call 311.
A map showing all CurbTO locations across Toronto will be published on the City's website in the coming days.
The Reopening of Community Gardens and Allotments
On Saturday, the Government of Ontario announced that it would be amending an emergency order to permit the use of community gardens and allotments across the province.
These gardens are now deemed essential, as they provide a source of fresh food for some individuals and families, including those who face food insecurity. The City's Emergency Operations Centre has advised that an announcement regarding the reopening of Toronto's community gardens and allotments is expected in the coming days.
Before gardens can reopen, local Medical Officers of Health will provide advice, recommendations, and instructions - such as physical distancing, along with cleaning and disinfecting commonly used equipment and surfaces - that the gardens must meet in order to operate
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the City's website.
Targeted Spring Clean Up
Many residents have contacted me with questions about Toronto's annual Community Clean Up Days. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, these City-wide events have been cancelled and will not proceed as scheduled.
However, in the coming weeks, the City will conduct a spring clean up to ensure Toronto is kept clean and safe. Spring clean up activities will include:
• Illegal dumping clean up,
• Boulevard and laneway cleaning,
• Litter and debris removal in parks,
• Fence-line litter clearing, and
• Street sweeping to clean up dirt and debris from Toronto’s streets.
That said, I also know a number of you have reported an increase in the littering of personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, in Toronto's public spaces, and how these actions negatively impact our environment.
As a result, City staff will be out each day picking up litter, emptying street and park waste bins, and sweeping streets to ensure the safety and health of our communities. If you want to get involved and help keep Toronto clean and safe, make sure to properly dispose of items in the available street and park bins. You can also report litter hot spots to 311.
Support for Students
I know that many students and young graduates' job prospects have been deeply impacted by the virus. As a mother of three, I was pleased to see the Federal Government announce comprehensive support measures for post-secondary students and recent graduates last week.
These measures include:
Canada Emergency Student Benefit, which will provide $1,250 per month for eligible students or $1,750 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities, and
Canada Student Service Grant, which will provide up to $5,000 for students who serve their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional measures will also be implemented to help students continue their studies in the fall.
Toronto Public Health Launches CORES: A New Data System to Enhance the City's COVID-19 Response
To enhance case and contact tracing work, Toronto Public Health (TPH) launched a brand new information management system, the Coronavirus Rapid Entry Case and Contact Management System (CORES).
CORES allows TPH staff to quickly and easily document each case investigation, and share the information with the Ministry of Health. The system also helps TPH prioritize individual cases that require urgent follow-up, such as healthcare workers, and makes it possible for more City staff to work remotely during this time.
As a critical component of TPH's COVID-19 response, contract tracing allows health officials to contain and prevent the transmission of infectious diseases effectively. The information collected by CORES will provide TPH with insights on how COVID-19 spreads from one person to another, the extent of community spread, and how long the virus can incubate. It also provides information on the overall impacts on our health and what we can do to protect our City further.
This new system also enables TPH to keep up with the increasing volume of work as our local situation continues to evolve and provide more detailed data to the residents of Toronto.
Spotted in Ward 15!
Check out this familiar face at Mount Pleasant Road and St. Leonards Avenue supporting frontline workers.
Have you seen any signs, murals, or displays that you think should be shared with our community? Send your photos to my office for a chance to be featured.
Consider showing your gratitude and support to the staff at Holland Bloorview by drawing a picture or painting a Gratitude Rock. If you draw a picture to thank the workers or brighten up a child's day, take a picture of your drawing and send it to Christine.hill@hollandbloorview.ca. You can also paint a rock with a fun inspirational message, and drop it off in their Gratitude Rock Garden on 150 Kilgour Road!
Mental Health Support Services
I know that many of us have been feeling anxious, unsure and even scared during these trying times. Public health professionals are emphasizing that it is important for all residents to continue reaching out to friends and family by phone or video chat, staying active while at home, eating well, and getting lots of rest as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
That said, there are also a number of mental health resources available through the City of Toronto, including Crisis Services Canada, the Distress Centre of Greater Toronto, and Kids Help Phone, as well as a mental health hotline specifically for seniors – 416-217-2077. Please visit the City's website or call 211 for more information on the many public mental health resources that are offered.
You can find additional services through the Government of Ontario, who increased their support for mental health and addiction support services earlier this month, and the Federal Government, who also announced a new portal which provides free online resources, tools, apps, and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals when needed.
Visit the Province's website and the Wellness Together Canada portal to learn more about the services available.
Get Involved: Support Our Community's COVID-19 Response
Volunteer Opportunities
I know that many of you have expressed a desire to support Toronto as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic. I want to extend my gratitude to the numerous neighbourhood groups that have taken steps to support our community, such as the residents of Davisville who organized meal delivery to the staff of Meighen Manor nursing home last week.
If you would like to get involved, please visit my website for a list of volunteer opportunities.
Food Security
The City continues to partner with community and corporate agencies to ensure that food programs can maintain operations and meet increased demand. For more information on resources available in Ward 15 and across Toronto, please visit: https://covid19.211central.ca/.
If you are able, please consider dropping off non-perishable food donations to food banks, such as the Community Share Food Bank and Sprint Senior Care, or local fire halls. If you own a restaurant or food business and have surplus food, please consider donating to Second Harvest’s Food Rescue initiative at https://foodrescue.ca/.
Donations
Earlier this month, the City of Toronto announced the DonateTO: COVID-19 Portal to outline the many ways you can support your community, including donations of personal protective equipment, food, financial gifts, and other goods and services. For more information, please visit the City's website.
Last week, Leaside United Church's Outreach Committee announced their new COVID CARE initiative in support of those who are food insecure and in need of immediate relief. Visit their website for more information on how to donate.
Sunnybrook Hospital is also currently accepting donations to help fund their research and response efforts. They are also accepting unused Personal Protective Equipment, which can be dropped off at the Bayview Campus (2075 Bayview Avenue), D-Wing screening entrance between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday to Friday. For more information on how you can support Sunnybrook Hospital, please visit their website.