January 20, 2021

January 20, Community Email Update

Dear neighbour,

It's encouraging to see so many online resources to help us all through the pandemic. We may all be at home, but we're not alone. The Wellness Togther portal is proving to be a very helpful tool for mental health supports.

Children are in their third week of remote learning and some may need help or someone to talk with. They can use the Kids Help Phone, which also has phone and texting capability.

For seniors, there is a hotline: 416.217.2077 run by the City of Toronto.

You can also check out my Facebook Live conversation with Karen Paul about community mental health resources.

Last week, Pfizer announced that its vaccine deliveries would be temporarily delayed as the company scales up its production capacity. Our Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand has been in touch with Pfizer representatives to reiterate the importance of Canada returning to its regular delivery schedule of vaccines. Pfizer will still be delivering all four million vaccine doses to us in the first quarter, as previously committed.

In total, we have secured more than 400M vaccine doses from Pfizer and Moderna.

Additional updates on vaccines and other items can be found below:

Facebook Live: Ask Me Anything
COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment
Rapid Housing Initiative Investments for Toronto
Work for the 2021 Census
Investments from Indigenous Services Canada
Supporting Black Businesses through Procurement
Local Resources

Facebook Live: Ask Me Anything

Tonight at 7:30 pm I'll be hosting an Ask Me Anything Facebook Live to answer your questions about vaccines, federal programs, and anything else that may be on your mind.

Please like my Facebook Page to get a notification when I go live. You can also email me any questions in advance.

COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment

As of this Tuesday evening, more than 651,139 doses of approved COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across Canada. In Ontario, 224,134 does have been administered, which represents almost 81% of doses delivered. You can consult the COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker for updates on deployment of vaccine doses.

Rapid Housing Initiative Investments for Toronto

Last week, Minister Ahmed Hussen announced details of the $203.3M Rapid Housing Initiative allocation for Toronto. Through this funding, the City of Toronto will be undertaking seven projects to create approximately 540 new affordable housing units. These new homes will be prioritized for people experiencing homelessness and the City has committed to allocate 20% of the homes to Indigenous communities and an additional 20% to women and girls. Other units will support seniors, youth and racialized communities. Find out more about this announcement by clicking here.

Work for the 2021 Census

The Census Program has adapted to the pandemic to ensure that the 2021 Census of Population is conducted throughout the country in the best possible way, using a safe and secure approach.

To assist in the collection of census data, Statistics Canada is hiring approximately 32,000 people across the country. Census jobs are short-term positions, between March and July 2021, collecting census data from residents in our community. Candidates can apply online at www.census.gc.ca/jobs.

Investments from Indigenous Services Canada

Last week, Minister Marc Miller announced $1.2B through the Fall Economic Statement that will further support the First Nations, Inuit and Metis health response to COVID-19. This additional funding will continue to ensure that Indigenous communities have the resources and tools needed to combat and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.

These investments include:

$631.6M to support public health measures, including procuring PPE, adapt existing facilities, hiring more staff, and providing surge capacity when needed.
8M to support elders and those in long term care facilities on reserve.
380M in additional funding through the Indigenous Community Support Fund.

Supporting Black Businesses through Procurement

Our government is taking steps to leverage federal procurement to achieve social and economic policy goals, which includes increasing the participation of under-represented groups in Canadian society. This is a part of our commitment to pursue economic empowerment, to increase diversity in procurement, and to support Black entrepreneurs.

The Black Businesses Pilot was launched on January 12, 2021, across multiple regions of the country for various goods and services and targeted to companies owned and/or operated by Black Canadians.

Links to the 7 active procurements can be found here:

Local Resources

Eastview Neighborhood Community Centre Free Snack Packs for Local Families

With schools closed, many kids are without school breakfasts and lunch programs. With Riverdale Basket Brigade's help, Eastview will be providing free weekly snack packs for local families with school-aged children. You can register here.

Ralph Thornton Community Centre and South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre virtual seminar

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating many challenges-one of the most difficult is for parents trying to support their children at home. RTCC is partnering with the South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre to present a virtual seminar "Bring them Closer" featuring author Connie Jakab. This session is taking place online tonight, Wednesday, January 20, at 8 PM. Registration is free.

COVID-19 Pop-Up Testing at South Riverdale Community Health Centre, 955 Queen St E

Thursday, January 21st from 10:30am-2:30pm. Administered by Anishnawbe Health Toronto
Saturday, January 23^rd from 10:30am-1:30pm in the back parking lot.

Please keep well and email or call (416.405.8914) with any questions.

Yours,

Julie