Dear Neighbor,

We are at a critical juncture with containing the spread of COVID-19 in Toronto. The alarming statistics and projections we have seen recently are a reminder to us all that we must continue to do our part and follow the best public health advice throughout the fall and winter. Please limit essential trips outside of your home, download the COVID Alert app, wear a mask, frequently wash your hands and keep your contacts to a minimum so that we can flatten the second wave.

The federal government's COVID-19 response continues to be robust. To date, over 10.3 million Canadians have been tested for COVID-19 and over 5 million Canadians have downloaded the COVID Alert app. As of October 27, more than 530,000 Canadians in all provinces and territories have accessed Wellness Together Canada in over 1.5 million distinct web sessions. Federal staff are making over 1,000 contact tracing calls daily in Ontario and six federal labs are up and running to support provincial lab testing capacity.

Please see below for updates on:

• Facebook Live with MP Greg Fergus, Chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus
• Existing and New Emergency Recovery Benefits
• New investment into Workforce Development Agreements
• Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund
• Youth Wellness Hub
• Animating Parks
• SRCHC pop-up COVID-19 testing

Facebook Live with MP Greg Fergus, Chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus

During last week's special East End Facebook Live, I had a great conversation with our neighbour, MP Nate Erskine-Smith. We had many questions ranging from small business supports and the recent good news about the efficacy of vaccines. If you missed it, you can watch it here.

This Wednesday, we are back at our usual Facebook Live time of 7:30pm. I will be speaking with MP Greg Fergus, Chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, about our government's actions to end systemic anti-Black racism. I know this is a of great concern to many in our community, so please like my Facebook Page to get notification when I go live. Please email me any questions in advance.

Existing and New Emergency Recovery Benefits

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), have ended. However, eligible individuals have until December 2, 2020 to apply retroactively for all periods of the CERB (retroactive applications for the CESB are not possible):

• Eligible individuals can apply for periods 1-4 of the CERB (March 15, 2020 to July 4, 2020) by contacting the CRA at 1-800-232-1966. Taxpayers may be asked to provide additional documentation to support their claim.
• Eligible individuals can also apply for periods 5-7 of the CERB (July 5, 2020 to September 26, 2020) through the CRA's My Account portal or by using the automated toll-free phone lines: 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041. 

New Recovery Benefits

If you were receiving the CERB, you may be eligible for one of the new recovery benefits retroactive to September 27, 2020 and available until September 25, 2021:

• the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB); 
• the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB); and
• the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB).

Emergency / Recovery Benefits - Main Phone Numbers

You can reach the CRA using two general phone numbers:

1-800-959-8281

• If you are having trouble applying for an emergency/recovery benefit because you haven't filed a 2019 tax return;
• If you want to make changes to their account (updates to address or direct deposit); and
• If you are having trouble accessing the CRA My Account.

1-833-966-2099

This phone number can be used to obtain general information about the new Canada Recovery Benefits (CRB, CRCB and CRSB):

• Eligibility requirements;
• The payment amount for each period; and
• How and when to apply.

Workforce Development Agreements

Last week, the Prime Minister announced a $1.5 billion investment through the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs) with provinces and territories, to help Canadians quickly access supports to re-enter the workforce. These supports include skills training, on-the-job training, employer-sponsored training, financial assistance and benefits, employment counselling and services, and job opportunities. Please read more about the investment here.

Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund (VOESF)

Veterans organizations play a critical role in the lives and well-being of Veterans and their families, as well as the communities in which they are located. They support homeless and disabled Veterans and play a crucial role in helping the Department fulfill its mandate.

The Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund provides grants to non-profit and registered charitable organizations that support Veterans and their families. The grants will help organizations with operational costs and financial shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. If your organization is facing significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for funding. A one-time-only call for applications closes on Sunday, November 22^nd.

Click here to find out more about this fund.

Toronto East Youth Wellness Centre

We have asked a lot of our youth and their mental health to deal with this pandemic. Their usual routines in school, activities and even interacting with their friends and peers have been severely disrupted. Strides Toronto Walk-in Clinic is offering free mental health counselling for people aged 0 to 29. They operate out of WoodGreen Community Services are available by phone Monday to Friday 9am-7pm: 1-866-585-6486.

Animating Toronto Parks (ATP)

Calling all East End Artists! The Toronto Arts Council has a $25,000 grant to Animate Toronto Parks for next summer. The deadline is December 14^th and you can find out more information here. East End Arts had an information session last week, which you can watch here.

SRCHC Pop-Up COVID-19 testing

On Friday, November 20th in partnership with Anishnawbe Health Toronto, South Riverdale Community Health Centre will be offering low-barrier/drop-in COVID-19 testing from 10:30am-2:00pm, taking place in front of the Health Centre at 955 Queen St. E, near Carlaw Ave.

Stay safe and please reach out by email or phone (416.405.8914, leave a message) for any questions, suggestions or feedback.

Yours,

Julie