Community News Update - February 22, 2021
Dear Community,
Let’s start with an update on the numbers.
Ontario has reported another 1,058 cases of COVID-19 today, including 325 new cases in Toronto. Across our province, another 12,922 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered. In total, 240,669 people have now received both shots of a vaccine in Ontario.
In our community, we remain in a lockdown, and it is vital that we all continue to do the work necessary to slow the spread of the virus. It is imperative that we’re all wearing masks when we leave our homes, that we’re washing our hands frequently, that we’re maintaining physical distancing, and that we’re only going out for essential purposes.
Each case of COVID-19 that we prevent could very well save someone’s life.
Today also marks the 2nd annual Chosen Family Day, a day to recognize the family we choose. This day founded by Friends of Ruby and partners is the day that we recognize the relationships between friends and allies in the LGBTQ+ community. I am very proud to celebrate Chosen Family Day this year, and to acknowledge the essential work that Friends of Ruby are doing day-in and day-out to support LGBTQ+ youth in our City.
To find out more about Chosen Family Day, click here.
While times have been tough throughout COVID-19, we’re very lucky to have an incredible community who have come together to support each other here in Toronto- St. Paul’s, and today I want to send a couple shout outs to members of our community who have been making a real difference.
First, I want to acknowledge the great team from Pukka – for delivering 240 hot meals to Feed the Frontlines - an organization that delivers food to frontline workers during the pandemic. Thank you so much for your delicious food, and for your charitable work!
Next, I want to send a sincere thank you to Kevin Frank and the entire team of dedicated volunteers who have been working so hard to maintain the outdoor ice rink at the Wychwood Barns. Having the rink operating during this pandemic has been an incredible escape for so many members of our community. Thank you to everyone who has been shovelling, flooding, or otherwise helping out to make the rink the amazing community resource that it is.
If you are going to be heading out to skate in the next few days, please ensure that you are following all the COVID-19 rules!
Finally, today in another update on the Foundry site in downtown Toronto, we have learned that the Ford government has made a deal with an unnamed developer, for an undisclosed amount of money. CBC News broke the story today, and we the Ontario NDP, as Official Opposition, will continue to keep the pressure on this government to come clean about this deal.
In Solidarity,
Jill Andrew
Toronto—St. Paul's