COVID-19 - June 3 Update - Ana Bailão 2021

June marks the beginning of National Indigenous History Month, which would normally be a time to reflect and celebrate the long and rich history of Indigenous communities in Canada. However, we are all horrified and shocked by the news this past weekend as we learned of the tragic and unacceptable death and burial of 215 indigenous children in unmarked graves adjacent the former Kamloops Residential School. This, along with so many other tragic stories, is a stark reminder of the pressing need for us as a nation to achieve the comprehensive reconciliation we owe to Indigenous communities. My thoughts are with the survivors and families of the those who endured the terrible realities of Canada's residential school system.

As with every year, June is also a time when we recognize Portuguese and Italian Heritage Month, Seniors’ Month, Pride and Bike Month. We join with these communities as they mark this month of celebration of their history.

Regarding vaccinations, we continue to see great progress. Yesterday, the City announced that more than 45% of Toronto youth 12 and older have received their first vaccination dose, and more that 70% of adults have received their first vaccination dose. With vaccine supply now more reliable, the City has also accelerated second vaccination doses for those 80+. If you are 80+ and are looking to book your second vaccine, click here.

This Saturday, Davenport Perth Community Health Centre and I will be hosting a COVID vaccination pop-up clinic at 1900 Davenport Road from 10 A.M until 6 P.M for those 12+ to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. We will have translators on-site to assist those requiring information in Portuguese, as well as fun music for those waiting!

This week, the Ontario government also announced that to protect Ontario families from the fast-growing B.1.617.2 variant, and to allow for higher rates of vaccination of students, staff, and families, they will be continuing remote learning for all elementary and secondary students across the province for the remainder of this school year, with a plan for a September 2021 return to in-class learning Learn more.

Our office continues to work to serve you remotely. If we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 416.392.7012.

In community,

Ana

Question from the Community!

Each day, we are working to answer important questions from our community. To keep you all informed, we will feature some of these questions in each newsletter. Have a question you think would be good to share? Reach out to us at [email protected].

I received my AstraZeneca shot earlier this year, are more doses available for my second shot?
Yes, Ontario has already begun offering second doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at an accelerated pace with a 10-week interval for individuals who received their first dose between March 10 to March 19, 2021. Acceleration of AstraZeneca second doses will be provided at a 12-week interval, dependent on vaccine supply, with booking eligibility based on the date of the first dose. Eligible individuals are encouraged to contact the pharmacy or primary care provider where they received their first dose to book an appointment. They might be redirected to a local pharmacy that is participating in administering second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Primary care settings and pharmacies may also be reaching out to eligible Ontarians. The province will provide further guidance based on advice expected shortly from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) with respect to administering doses of two different vaccine types. This advice will be provided in advance of the 12-week interval when most people are needing to receive their second dose.

Key Updates

Executive Committee Update
This week, I joined the other members of Executive Committee to discuss a number of items of importance to our City. Below is a summary of some of the agenda.

Ontario Place Redevelopment Update
Ontario Place is an invaluable green space in the heart of our city and waterfront.

At its May 14, 2019 meeting, City Council directed the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services to engage with the Province on their plans to redevelop Ontario Place. Specifically, City Council adopted a series of Guiding Principles for the Revitalization of Ontario Place that were recommended by Toronto-East York Community Council on April 24, 2019. The Guiding Principles were based on the Central Waterfront Secondary Plan themes of: Removing Barriers/Making Connections, Building a Network of Spectacular Waterfront Parks and Public Spaces, Promoting a Clean and Green Environment, Creating Dynamic and Diverse New Communities, and Openness and Transparency.

We set out these guiding principals:

Exploring opportunities to reduce the barrier effect of Lake Shore Boulevard West between Exhibition Place and Ontario Place.
Exploring opportunities to consolidate surface parking in order to create a more walkable and transit-supportive environment.
Securing and enhancing public access to the Ontario Place shoreline.
Retaining Trillium Park and William Davis Trail as key place-making features.
Consulting with Indigenous peoples on opportunities for Indigenous placemaking.
Improving transit and access to, from and between Ontario Place and Exhibition Place.
Including a mix of non-residential uses and activities that reflect Ontario Place's waterfront location and its status as a showcase and destination.
Making decisions through a public process with full transparency of government decision-making processes.

Staff will report to Executive Committee and Council in the fourth quarter of 2021 with an update on City-Ontario engagement and a formal Toronto-Ontario agreement to optimally support the implementation of the Ontario Place redevelopment, while also advancing the long-term framework for physical change, and economic and program development at Exhibition Place.

2019-2022 Poverty Reduction Strategy Action Plan Mid-Term Status
The ways in which COVID-19 has impacted Torontonians is a reflection of how poverty impacts the most vulnerable in our City. Inadequate and unaffordable housing prevents many residents from being able to follow physical distancing protocols. The shutdown of many necessary services and supports, many of which are operated by the City and its partners, means that the vulnerabilities that residents are experiencing due to poverty are exacerbated further.

This dynamic illustrates the importance of the City’s Poverty Reduction Strategy in achieving its broader COVID-19 recovery and rebuild goals. This report outlines the City’s progress to date in implementing the current 2019-2022 Poverty Reduction Strategy Action Plan, and highlights the ways in which staff are adjusting and prioritizing next steps to advance both the objectives of poverty reduction and equitable, inclusive recovery and rebuilding, and makes specific recommendations to improve supports for residents during and after the pandemic.

Bill 197 and Growth-Related Funding Tools Update
This report provides an update on the City's approach to legislative changes to its growth-related funding tools enacted through the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 (Bill 197) and outlines a work plan to deliver updated City bylaws for Council consideration in Q2 2022.

This is an important report for the City to advocate on as we need to have progressive policies that support growth paying for growth.

316 Campbell Planning Application – Public Meeting
The City of Toronto Planning Division has received an application to permit a 28-storey (95.2 metres to the top of the mechanical penthouse) residential building with a 6-storey base building.

Join us for a Virtual Community Consultation Meeting to learn more about the proposed development application, which will include presentations and a Question and Answer period providing local residents and stakeholders the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

Help Shape Toronto over the Next 30 Years!
The City of Toronto is reviewing its Official Plan to develop a revised vision for city planning over the next 30 years, through to 2051. The City is calling this Official Plan review process “Our Plan Toronto” because it is a plan for everyone and requires input from all.

Our Plan Toronto presents an opportunity to address, through planning policy, a number of the growth-related challenges facing Toronto today and in the future.

150 Harrison Street Park Public Meeting – June 16
On June 16 from 5:30-6:30PM, the City will be hosting a public meeting to share timelines for the new park's construction, and will provide an opportunity for questions to be answered. You can register for this event through the above link.

College West Neighbourhood Murals
Artists are invited to submit an application to paint a mural on one of 5 Bell Canada outdoor utility boxes in the College West Neighbourhood of Toronto this summer as part of the 2021 Bell Box Murals Project. Deadline is Monday June 21 at 5 PM. Applications can be made to [email protected].

The Oakwood Village Roots and Routes Discovery Trail
The Oakwood Village Roots and Rotes Discovery Trail is a local project for the summer in the Oakwood Village community.

The Business Improvement Area association is collecting neighbourhood histories and creating a trail of clues, stories and sidewalk painted hop-scotch games from these stories as a fun way to explore the neighbourhood.

As part of the history piece - it would be great to have your input using the 'Beta Version' of their questionnaire linked above!

Davenport Diamond Grade Separation Work
From June to July, Metrolinx will be excavating behind the North and South bridge abutments on the Barrie GO rail line, west of Lansdowne Avenue. There will be temporary partial road and sidewalk closures of Bloor Street West, and some night work. Metrolinx has stated they will notify the community in advance of night work, and most work is scheduled to happen between 7AM-5PM.

Recent Announcements

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