Latest Update Get Your Flu Vaccine Safely This Season
Dear Friends,
I hope you’re doing well. It looks like we’re getting some sunny weather, so I hope you get a chance to enjoy a beautiful fall weekend outdoors.
Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, is asking us to make it harder for the COVID-19 virus to spread. She has recommended we only consider leaving our homes for essential activities such as work, education and fresh air and exercise. As much as possible, we should limit contact with people who are not in the same household. We should keep at least six feet apart from those we do not live with and wear a mask when outside of our homes, especially in indoor settings and when physical distancing is difficult.
It is important for everyone who can to get their flu shot this year. Flu shots are available through family doctors, at participating pharmacies and also at Toronto Public Health clinics. The flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, but it will protect people from the flu or reduce the severity of illness from the flu. You can find further information below.
In this email you can find the following information:
Toronto Public Health Launches Online Booking for Flu Vaccine Clinics
Nominate a COVID Community Hero
Public Health Advice for Halloween
Inclusionary Zoning Policy Public Consultation
Donlands Station Second Exit/Entrance (SEE) and Easier Access Program Update
Applications for Community Advisory Panel for the Race-Based Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting Policy
Broadview-Danforth BIA Fall Thrill of the Chill
ActiveTO Major Road Closures
Riverside Virtual Howl-O-Ween
Community Environment Day at Bermondsey Depot
Toronto Public Health Launches Online Booking for Flu Vaccine Clinics
Toronto Public Health (TPH) is launching the annual online flu vaccine booking system to help residents schedule their appointments for TPH’s annual flu vaccine clinics. This year, in response to local COVID-19 circumstances, TPH flu vaccine clinics will only be available through online appointments to ensure that appropriate physical distancing and infection prevention and control measures can be followed – walk-in appointments will not be available.
The flu vaccine is free for people six months of age and older who live, work or attend school in Ontario. A health card is not required at a TPH clinic. Flu clinic appointments can be booked online. Flu shots are also available through doctors’ offices and at participating pharmacies.
TPH has been using the online appointment booking system for many years. Due to the higher demand for flu vaccine this year, more TPH flu vaccine clinics will be offered starting this week until the end of December.
Getting vaccinated against the flu may also reduce the number of individuals who need COVID-19 testing, as the symptoms are very similar. It also helps to protect vulnerable residents from more severe illness.
Do you know a community member or organization who has been making a difference during the pandemic? Let’s recognize them for their great work!
Please send me an email at councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca with your contact details, their information and why you are nominating them. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out!
Public Health Advice for Halloween
This week Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a statement that advised traditional trick-or-treating is not recommended in Toronto and we should consider alternative ways to celebrate. You can read his statement online for further information. Toronto Public Health also does not recommend hosting or attending in-person gatherings for Halloween this year.
The worrisome increase in the number of COVID-19 cases has regrettably led public health officials to make these recommendations. While this is disappointing, I know that East Enders will find fun and creative ways to celebrate.
Inclusionary zoning is a land use planning tool that enables municipalities to require affordable housing in new residential developments. Inclusionary zoning is one policy solution identified in the HousingTO Action Plan to help address the housing needs of Toronto’s low-income and moderate-income households.
The City is hosting three virtual public meetings to consult on draft inclusionary zoning policy and zoning requirements and a proposed definition of affordable rental housing. These meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about inclusionary zoning and share ideas and feedback on how this new affordable housing tool should apply in Toronto. Please register in advance:
Thursday October 29th from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Register here
Thursday November 5th from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Register here
Tuesday November 10th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Register here
Donlands Station Second Exit/Entrance (SEE) and Easier Access Program Update
As part of the TTC’s commitment to safety and modernization, Donlands Station will be getting new elevators to provide accessibility and a second exit/entrance to improve customer safety and convenience. To minimize the duration of overall construction, the TTC will build the Donlands Station Easier Access project at the same time as the SEE project.
The TTC Board unanimously approved the Local Working Group’s recommended Second Exit location at 17/19 Dewhurst Boulevard.
New elevators will serve the existing station entrance at Strathmore Boulevard and Donlands Avenue.
Construction is currently scheduled to begin in Fall 2020.
Due to COVID-19 and current provincial guidance on public gatherings, a pre-construction overview presentation is posted online in lieu of a public meeting. Please view the online construction open house for more information. Feedback is welcome and encouraged.
Applications for Community Advisory Panel for the Race-Based Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting Policy
The Toronto Police Service would like to invite members of the public to apply for one of 12 positions on its Community Advisory Panel for the Race-Based Data (RBD) Collection, Analysis and Reporting Policy.
The panel will meet four times a year, starting January 2021, to provide the Service with advice on the analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of Race and Identity Based Data Collection.
The Toronto Police Service began collecting Race and Identity Based Data in January 2020, in line with the province’s Anti-Racism Act and the Toronto Police Service’s Board policy entitled: Race-Based Data Collection, Analysis and Public Reporting. The establishment of the Community Advisory Panel is required under this policy and its framework has been developed in partnership with The Wellesley Institute (www.wellesleyinstitute.com).
Successful candidates for the CAP will strongly represent Toronto’s Black, racialized and Indigenous communities; strike the balance between academic, professional, and lived experiences; and reflect the voices of the city’s young people.
The Broadview-Danforth BIA is launching their “Fall Thrill of the Chill” initiative this Saturday, October 24th in an effort to support businesses in the area as temperatures dip.
Starting Saturday, you can visit any of the BIA’s outdoor restaurant patios and receive a complimentary thermal blanket. Each blanket also comes with a $5 Broadview Danforth gift certificate that you can use at any of the BIA businesses.
The Broadview-Danforth BIA is composed of 350+ shops, restaurants and services along Danforth Ave from Broadview to Hampton, and along Broadview north to Pretoria and south to Dearborne.
Now more than ever our local businesses need our support. Under current public health regulations, indoor dining in restaurants is prohibited, but outdoor dining is allowed. Consider visiting a patio or ordering take-out. We’re in this together!
ActiveTO Major Road Closures October 24-25
ActiveTO major weekend road closures will be in place from Saturday, October 24 at 6 a.m. until Sunday, October 25 at 11 p.m.:
Lake Shore Boulevard West (eastbound lanes only) from Windermere Avenue to Stadium Road. As a result, the eastbound Gardiner Expressway off ramp to Lake Shore Boulevard West (exit #146) will also be closed.
Lake Shore Boulevard East (eastbound lanes only) from Leslie Street to Woodbine Avenue.
Bayview Avenue from Front Street East to Rosedale Valley Road, and River Street from Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenue
Each year, Riverside businesses and community agencies host spooktacular Halloween events. This year since we can’t gather together they’re joining forces to bring you the VIRTUAL Riverside Howl-O-Ween on Thursday, October 29th from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Kids (of all ages, dogs welcome too!) can dress up and join the fun. Costume contest, spooky songs & stories, treats & more!
This year, Community Environment Days were set up as drive-thru events at the City’s seven Drop-Off Depots. The final event is taking place at Bermondsey Drop-Off Depot (188 Bermondsey Rd) on Sunday, November 1st from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Residents can drop off items for reuse, recycling and safe disposal. Free bagged compost will also be available. Public health guidelines will be in place. Visittoronto.ca/environment_days for more information on which items are accepted and which items cannot be dropped off.
Thank you to all of our health care workers and frontline workers, and everyone else who is working to keep us safe.
We’re in this together and it is important more than ever to follow all of the public health measures.
I will continue to send out regular updates to keep you informed. Please checktoronto.ca/covid19 for the latest information.
Remember to take care of one another and please contact my office if I can be of assistance.
Working for you,
Paula Fletcher
City Councillor
Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth
