Small Business Conversation with MP Arif Virani – June 3

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

You are invited to join our MP Arif Virani’s next Facebook Live Ask Me Anything: special edition for SMALL BUSINESS on Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m.

The event is reserved for small business owners living and/or working in the Parkdale-High Park riding. The hope is to ensure as many small businesses and small business owners here in Parkdale–High Park have the opportunity to participate and ask questions about federal government support programs directly to MP Virani.

You can tune in on MP Virani’s Facebook Page HERE.
Follow MP Virani to receive a notification when he goes Live!

DATE: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020
TIME: 7 p.m.
PLACE: Facebook

Use Ontario Place to Help Fight COVID

Announcement, Community

Ontario Place for All says, in light of the COVID outbreak, the provincial government should reconsider its plans to redevelop Ontario Place.

“One thing became crystal clear over the past weekend,” says Ken Greenberg, urban designer and member of the Steering Committee of Ontario Place for All (OP4A). “The overcrowding at Trinity-Bellwoods showed Toronto needs more park space. Unfortunately, a lot of the greenspace currently at Ontario Place could be lost under the government’s redevelopment plans.”

Ontario Place should be integrated with the revitalization of Exhibition Place.

To find out more click HERE.

 

Ward 4 Virtual Town Hall with Councillor Gord Perks – June 2

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

On Tuesday,  June 2 – Councillor Gord Perks will be hosting a Facebook Live Town Hall at 7:00 pm to discuss both the current recovery efforts and what we as a society can do moving forward. I would love to hear your thoughts, ideas, and questions. As this will be our first virtual Town Hall, there will be some bumps in the road. By working together our community can take an active role in defining what type of city emerges from the recovery effort.

To help start the process, please email a question with the subject line “Town Hall” in advance to ward04@toronto.ca, including your name, and what neighbourhood you live in. Gord hopes to see you on Tuesday, June 2 at facebook.com/GordPerks.

DATE: Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020
TIME: 7 p.m.
PLACE: Facebook

Tools to Help Small Business and Artists

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

All levels of government and organizations are realizing the importance of independent businesses and artists to the vibrancy and wellbeing of our neighbourhoods.

Here are some useful links to help sustain your business and/or establish your presence on-line.

ShopHERE program gets local businesses and artists selling online fast. ShopHERE, free, quick and easy initiative is helping Toronto’s independent businesses and artists build and promote their very own online stores in a matter of days. Sign up: digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere.

BACK TO BRICKS & MORTAR – Here is a guidebook to help independent retailers re-enter storefronts safely > https://andaccess.com/back-to-brick-mortar

BRING BACK MAIN STREET – Here is a great resource for retail stores and small businesses that will help them recover and emerge from this crisis more resilient > https://bringbackmainstreet.ca/

Supporting Our Local Small Businesses – May 13

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying economic fallout have hit small and medium-sized businesses hard. A growing number of small businesses have closed their doors. The current relief programs from our governments have many businesses falling through the cracks putting the continued existence of our local restaurants, shops and cultural spaces at risk.

On Wednesday, May 13th, Bhutila Karpoche, our local MPP, will be hosting a Facebook Live for a focused discussion on supporting small businesses during this crisis and discuss next steps. Bhutila will be joined by John Kiru, Executive Director of TABIA, and representatives from four of our local Business Improvement Associations.

DATE: Wednesday, May 13th, 2020
TIME: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
PLACE: Facebook

What is Collective Care? a focus on Parkdale – May 13

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Learn about collective strategies of mutual support and grassroots organizing. This online discussion focuses on our Parkdale neighbourhood, and how people are providing collective care to the most vulnerable members of our community. Looking beyond COVID-19, what can we learn from these strategies, and are they here to stay?

This event is organized by Myseum. To find out more about this online event and to register click HERE.

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Time: 2:00 pm
Place: Online

Certain Businesses Can Open Monday

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

The Ontario government will allow certain businesses to reopen under the auspices of workplace safety guidelines. If they adhere to health and safety guidelines issued by the province, the following businesses will be allowed to reopen:

  • Garden centres and nurseries, with curbside pick-up and delivery only
  • Lawn care and landscaping
  • Essential construction projects that include: shipping and logistics, broadband, telecommunications and digital infrastructure, projects which support the improved delivery of goods and services, municipal projects, colleges and universities, child care centres, schools, and site preparation for institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential development
  • Automatic and self-serve car washes
  • Auto dealerships, open by appointment only
  • Golf courses may begin to prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not yet open to the public
  • Marinas may begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public. Boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed.
  • The full announcement can be read HERE.