Davenport Community Briefing – April 22

West Park Healthcare Centre will be booking vaccination appointments for those 18+ in M6K and M6N postal codes starting April 23 at noon. More info.

I hope that you and your family are keeping well during what has been a very stressful period for everyone. Last Friday, Premier Doug Ford announced more restrictive COVID-19 measures. I, along with many others, were very disappointed with what were clearly initiatives that did not serve to address the main challenges associated with the pandemic. On Saturday, I wrote to you outlining where this plan fell short and where it was inappropriate including with regard to police powers and the closure of playgrounds. As you may know, later on Saturday the provincial government moved back on some of these measures.

Over the last few weeks, our team has understandably been receiving an increase in questions on when and where people can get vaccinated. To date, we have replied to over 1,400 emails on vaccinations alone. We know that people are worried for themselves, their loved ones, their communities and that the province, which is managing the vaccine roll-out, has often provided very confusing information. We have been promoting our website which we keep up to date with the latest information we have on vaccinations and encourage you to visit it for updates.

Those 40+ in 2021 can vaccinate at a participating pharmacy!

Click here to register

Included in these communications are many requests for mobile clinics. I have been pushing hard with public health officials to get more vaccines for our community and City as well as bringing mobile pop-up clinics into our community. The locations of mobile clinics are determined by a joint Public Health table, comprised of the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network, Toronto Public Health, and hospital partners. Neighbourhoods are being prioritized based on equity and public health data, including age, COVID-19 case numbers, income levels and other factors. Still, my office and I have been in touch with community agencies across our Ward to support applications to run clinics and I have been providing Toronto Public Health with the names of these agencies in our community to include in our rollout plan. As more information becomes available, I will communicate this to our community as quickly as possible. Of course, while we work on vaccinating our communities, we need to continue to follow public health guidelines.

Since January, ahead of the Provincial Budget, I have been calling on the province to implement paid sick days. We have known from the start of this pandemic that it is not impacting all communities equally, and that those most vulnerable are at much greater risk of contracting COVID-19. Without paid sick days, our vulnerable neighbours are forced to choose between putting food on the table for their families, and their health and that of the broader community. Today, the Premier announced that they will be providing an updated policy on paid sick leave. While we’d like to have seen this step sooner, this is an important step forward. We await the specific details but this is a crucial part of effectively bringing this pandemic to an end in Ontario. This policy will not only offer substantial protections for these communities, but will also reduce the growing burden on our hospital networks, which have already had to relocate patients out the city for life-saving treatment. We also need the vaccine supply to be provided to those most at risk.

To help reduce virus spread, the City has announced that it will be issuing closures of workplaces where COVID-19 outbreaks occur, in order to break the chains of transmission. The workplace closures when issued will be in effect for a minimum period of 10 calendar days, and workers will be required to self-isolate. I urge all employers to follow the public health advice to stop outbreaks and protect their employees.

To provide increased support and equity in our vaccination program, the City is also preparing our Paramedic and Fire Services to support mobile vaccinations, with a focus on individuals experiencing homelessness and those living in high-priority congregate settings, including shelters, drop-in sites and encampments. The mobile teams will be available seven days per week, starting April 26, and the program is fully scalable in response to vaccine availability and community need.

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].

Where can I find specific information on vaccine eligibility?
The City has created this site which outlines all the different groups eligible for vaccination, it is an important resource to share in your networks.

Key Updates

Federal Budget
This week, the Federal Government brought forward their 2021 Budget. It was an expansive budget that contains a considerable number of new investments, including most notably, a transition to $10 a day child care by 2025-26.

This budget also includes new funding for housing, including $1.5 billion for the Rapid Housing Initiative, which the City has already been utilizing to provide homes for people in need. In addition, the federal government committed $600 million to expand the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund to create more permanent housing, and $315 million to increase direct financial assistance for low-income women and children who are fleeing violence. All of these commitments are important investments which line up with the City’s HousingTO2020-2030 Plan, our blueprint for action across the full housing spectrum.

West Toronto Railpath Update Meeting – April 27 at 6:00 PM

Since our last public meeting on the West Toronto Railpath, just before the pandemic hit Toronto, I have been working with City staff to keep progressing this project.

With realignment expected to begin this year, I have secured a meeting from Metrolinx for the community to outline their construction timelines and commitments. This meeting will give you a better sense on the local impacts of the upcoming realignment work. As part of this meeting, Metrolinx will also be providing a brief overview of the Extension work. Of course, you will be able to have your questions answered and can submit them in advance.

I look forward to continuing to work with you to progress this project and ensuring it fits our neighbourhood's needs.

Toronto and East York Community Council Update
Yesterday was Toronto and East York Community Council, below is an update on the main changes for our community:

Securing Community Funding from 646-648 Dufferin Street and 1494-1502 Dundas Street West Developments
As part of these applications, we secured a voluntary section 37 Agreement for $250,000 in total funding for community improvements in the surrounding area.

Giacomini Way – Laneway Naming
We will be naming the laneway west of Salem Ave, south of Shanly St "Giacomini Way" in honour of the Giacomini family, which operated the nearby Paradise Theatre, an Italian Movie theatre from 1966 to 1981, which served as a significant cultural hub for our community.

Evaluating the Heritage Potential of Dovercourt House
Working with the community and a local historian, we recognized that Dovercourt House (805 Dovercourt Road) may have architectural and cultural significance. This property has, for many years, been a gathering place for the local community and in particular a place for dancing to flourish. The organization that had been in the building for many years is now leaving and in order to preserve the existing property as a potential heritage resource, I have requested that City staff urgently undertake an evaluation for inclusion to the City's Heritage Register.

Planning and Housing Committee
Today, I chaired the Planning and Housing Committee, where we discussed a number of important issues:

Christie Planning Study
The City can work with transit-oriented development. The Christie’s Planning Study is a great example - it includes a new GO station and TTC loop, can accommodate 3,800 jobs, parkland, public amenities and up to 1,500 affordable housing units. It creates a complete community.

Rapid Housing Initiative - 222 Spadina Avenue and 877 Yonge Street
This item advanced our announcement last week where we purchased two buildings through the Rapid Housing Initiative, 877 Yonge St and 222 Spadina Ave, to provide 334 homes with support services, dedicated to women, Indigenous residents, seniors, people with disabilities, and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Protecting Tenants - Protocols to Support Tenants in Cases of Evacuation or Emergency Evictions
A number of tenants in my Ward faced an emergency evacuation that emanated from their landlord's actions. In speaking to them, we agreed that this process should have more clarity of rights and supports for the tenants. Today, we progressed that idea through policy through:

A request to establish of a Landlord and Tenant Board telephone number where tenants can connect with provincial officials outside of regular business hours in situations where residents are the subject of emergency evacuation orders.
Develop recommendations to:
- Ensure that appropriate communication with tenants facing evictions takes place and is effective;
- Ensure that relevant support staff are on-site to support tenants in their emergency housing needs when evacuation orders are issued;
- provide tenants resources available to immediately assist them, including the protection of their rights.

COVID-19 Pop -Up Testing at Davenport Perth Community Health Centre
Monday, May 3 and 17 from 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM at 1900 Davenport Road

Davenport Perth Community Health Centre will be operating a free, no appointment needed COVID-19 Pop-Up Testing clinic. If you were exposed to someone with COVID or believe you have symptoms, I encourage you to get tested.

Bag of Toronto
Bag of Toronto is back in time for Mothers Day! It's a great way to support our local businesses!

For $65 you will get:

5-7 goodies from local businesses
Free local delivery
A $5 donation to a local charity

Buy your bag through the link above!

Perth/Sterling Realignment Meeting Recording
On April 15, along with community members, I attended the Marlin Springs / Hines public meeting to discuss the work being done on the Perth/Sterling realignment. Missed the meeting? You can watch it through the link above. A Q&A summary is also available here.

Call to Artists – Leave your Mark on Lansdowne Station
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is looking to pre-qualify Artists to create integrated artworks for seven subway stations that are part of TTC's Easier Access & Second Exit Project: Bay, Castle Frank, Christie, Donlands, Keele, Lansdowne and Spadina. Applications can be submitted until May 6.

Have your say on Implementing Garden Suites in Toronto

The Garden + Suites project is one of several studies that the City of Toronto is leading through its Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods initiative. A Garden Suite is a detached housing unit, usually located in the rear yard, and is separate or detached from the main house. Garden Suites, like Laneway Suites, are generally smaller than the main house on the lot and are intended to function as a rental housing unit. Find more information and a survey link above!

Consultations for Multi-Tenant Housing
The City licenses multi-tenant houses, commonly known as rooming houses, to ensure that they are safe and well-maintained.

The City is proposing the creation of a comprehensive city-wide zoning approach and enhancements to licensing and enforcement to encourage and regulate safe, liveable, well-maintained and affordable multi-tenant houses across the city.

Public meetings will be held on May 4 at 6:30 PM and May 11 at 12:30 PM.

College-Montrose Children’s Place Free Programing and Resources (Kids 0-6)
College-Montrose Children’s Place provides free programs and resources for children 0-6yrs old, their parents and caregivers. Virtual programs include play-based learning activities, social time for children and adults, as well as topic specific workshops (nutrition, infant related etc.) One on one support is offered along with information about other community resources. Visit the link above for more information.

Community Services and Facilities survey for Bloor Study area, presented by JT-CAN
The Junction Triangle Community Action Network, which is serving as part of a City-led community services and facilities working group on the Bloor Study wanted to engage the community by way of a Google survey. If you live in the area and have an interest in community services and facilities like daycares, seniors centres, parks and more, then fill out the survey linked above.

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