Dear Friends,I hope you’ve been having a good week. I have important updates to share with you. We are seeing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases which means further restrictions will be imposed if the direction doesn’t change.
The Province announced that starting September 18th social gatherings will be limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors in Toronto. These new limits apply to parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs and wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas. They will not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as restaurants, bars, gyms, recreational sporting or performing art events, etc. Read the Province’s news release for further details.
I hosted a Virtual Tenants’ Workshop this week with our MPP Peter Tabuns and Don Valley Community Legal Services. Over 100 people attended and we made sure important information about evictions and the new Bill 184 were shared with tenants. If you missed it, you can find a recording of the meeting online here: http://councillorpaulafletcher.ca/issues/tenant-information/
ActiveTO Major Road Closures will be in place each weekend until the end of the month – September 26-27 will be the final weekend. Part of Yonge St. will also be included in the last two Sundays.
Let’s remember that we’re in this together. Continue following public health guidelines – wash your hands, keep at least six feet away from others outside your household or social bubble, and wear a mask whenever possible.
In this email you can find the following information:
ShowLoveTO
TTC’s Virtual Public Forum on Accessible Transit
East York Jam Fest
#iMissLiveTheatreTO
East York Days: Behind the Music
Orange Shirt Day
Zero Waste High-Rise Project
Community Environment Days
ShowLoveTO
ShowLoveTO is a local initiative that will encourage residents to show their love for Toronto by safely connecting with neighbours, supporting local businesses and artists, and exploring their city neighbourhoods to help rebuild the social and economic fabric of Toronto.
ShowLoveTO will also embrace and include events from organizations throughout the city offering a series of experiences that welcome Torontonians back to their city. Initiatives will be delivered with guidance from Toronto Public Health to provide a safer environment for participants.
The following ShowLoveTO initiatives will engage Toronto residents this fall:
BigArtTO is a city-wide temporary public art initiative involving large-scale projections in each of the City’s 25 wards.
StrollTO will feature self-guided itineraries for each of the City’s 25 wards to motivate residents to actively discover the unexplored shops, stops, places and spaces on their local main streets, starting September 18.
DineOutTO will celebrate Toronto’s culinary community and support the industry’s economic recovery. The city-wide promotion will showcase Toronto’s diverse food culture through a digital platform offering content, special offers and unique culinary experiences from September 23 to October 30.
HistoricTO, time-ticketed, guided neighbourhood walking tours anchored at Toronto History Museums, connects Toronto’s communities by providing equitable and inclusive access to local history, heritage and land-based learnings. Pay-what-you-can tickets are available now until October 18 and must be booked in advance.
CafeTO launched this summer to provide more outdoor dining areas to help restaurants and bars create physical distancing for patio patrons. The City is allowing heaters on all outdoor patios to extend patio season.
On October 1st TTC Board members, management and staff, and members of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) will host the TTC’s first ever virtual Public Forum on Accessible Transit. This event is held annually to hear from the public about the accessibility of conventional TTC and door-to-door (Wheel-Trans) public transit services in Toronto. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this event will be online this year. Visit the TTC’s website for more information and to register.
Check the TTC’s website for other updates on increased service for back to school, safety and COVID-19 regulations.
East York Jam Fest
The Beaches International Jazz Festival is proud to announce its latest extension, the East York Jam Fest. This virtual event is taking place on Saturday, September 19th from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm and will raise funds for Michael Garron Hospital front line workers.
This free 90-minute event will bring musicians and fans together for an innovative virtual live music experience to help sustain and connect the music community during this trying and unprecedented time.
At this time of year, the theatre, dance and opera sector would typically be celebrating the launch of the 2020-21 season. Instead the industry continues to feel the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To raise awareness of the effect of the pandemic on the theatre, dance and opera community, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts are inviting you to join artists in celebrating our vibrant cultural landscape.
The #iMissLiveTheatreTO campaign officially launches on Monday, September 21st. Visit https://tapa.ca/imisslivetheatreto-2/ for more information on how to participate.
East York Days: Behind the Music
September 23 & 30 | 7-8 PM each night | Online on Facebook Live!
This year you’re invited to join East End Arts and the host of CBC’s Big City Small World, Errol Nazareth, for an updated version of our annual concert series, East York Days: Behind the Music!
While we may not be able to gather at the East York Civic Centre for what would have been our third summer of East York Days, we are keeping the spirit and celebration of local music alive and well this year, but with a fun, new digital twist!
On Wednesday nights in September, tune in to East End Arts’ Facebook Page to enjoy 60-minute sets featuring in-depth conversations and music from the talented artists.
The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.
The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.
Learn more about Orange Shirt Day and how you can participate at www.orangeshirtday.org.
Old’s Cool General Store is selling t-shirts for $25 with proceeds going to Awnishnawbe Health Toronto. The design is by local Ojibwe artist Kindhearted Kwe. The vision: peace, equality, justice and healing. Email oldscoolgeneralstore@gmail.com to place your order.
Zero Waste High-Rise Project
The Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) is recruiting participants for the Zero Waste High-Rise Project! TEA has developed an online step-by-step program to help Toronto multi-residential buildings reduce waste and become zero waste leaders. If you are a high-rise building resident, or staff member, and want to take action, you can join the project.
This year, Community Environment Days will be set up as drive-thru events at the City’s seven Drop-Off Depots. Residents will be able to drive to different stations to drop off items for reuse, recycling and safe disposal. Free compost will be available.
East End Community Environment Days:
Commissioners Drop-Off Depot (400 Commissioners Street) on Sunday, October 4th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Bermondsey Drop-Off Depot (188 Bermondsey Rd) on Sunday, November 1st from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Events will follow Toronto Public Health guidelines for indoor and outdoor events with enhanced COVID-19 protocols in place. While attending Community Environment Days, please keep two metres or (six feet) from others not in your social circle, and wear a mask or face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Thank you to all of our health care workers and frontline workers, and everyone else who is working to keep us safe. And thank you again to everyone who is following public health measures.We’re in this together.
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 yourselves and please contact my office if I can be of assistance.
Working for you,
Paula Fletcher
City Councillor
Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth
