COVID-19 Resources & Updates from Progress Toronto

March 26, 2020

Last week we shared an update on COVID-19 that included links to many resources and the steps that we are taking as an organization during the pandemic. You can see that update here: https://www.progresstoronto.ca/covid19-update-changes.

This week, we want to share more resources with you and give you an update on our work. We hope you’re staying well, safe, and doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Below, you will find:

Unfortunately, the economic impact of COVID-19 has had a financial impact on Progress Toronto as donations have understandably declined. This is difficult for us because we rely on donations to pay our rent and staff, for the tools we use to organize, to cover administrative costs, and much more. In the last two weeks we’ve taken some difficult steps to reduce costs and we are working to re-evaluate our budget and structure for this year, given our new reality.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to donate today, you can contribute at progresstoronto.ca/donate. It’s in times like these that we see where our social safety net is failing vulnerable people and the importance of Progress Toronto’s advocacy for expanded public services and an inclusive, affordable city.

Public Health Resources and Updates

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The situation we face with COVID-19 and the response of various levels of government is evolving rapidly. There have been many announcements in the last few days about programs and resources available to people, including workers, and small businesses. It’s hard to keep up and, unfortunately, there is also some misinformation being shared.  

The best place to get your updates on COVID-19 and the programs and supports available to you is through government websites. We suggest you bookmark these links and check back daily, as they are updated often.

City of Toronto: http://toronto.ca/covid-19

Province of Ontario http://ontario.ca/covid19

Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/covid19

More details on the Government of Canada’s economic response and income supports can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html. The City of Toronto’s website also includes information on economic and social supports available to you. 

Advocacy to protect those most vulnerable

While various levels of government continue to make announcements about much needed protections for families, individuals, workers, and small businesses - there are a number of organizations advocating for greater protections for people through difficult times. Not enough has been done for tenants, small businesses, and the most vulnerable.

Here are two examples of ongoing campaigns that we want to highlight for you:

The Workers Action Centre and 15 and Fairness have been advocating for more protections for workers. See their petition here: https://www.15andfairness.org/covid19_help_now

ACORN, a national organization of low- and moderate-income families, is advocating for a rent suspension/freeze and more for tenants. See their petition here: https://acorncanada.org/take-action/urgent-action-rent-freeze-suspension-of-rent-end-nsf-fees-internet-all.

Update on Our Work at Progress Toronto and How You Can Help

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COVID-19 is having a significant impact on the way we are working and campaigning at Progress Toronto, but we are doing everything we can to continue our work (remotely of course) and do our part to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19. 

In our last update, we let you know that our offices are closed, that we’ve postponed many outreach activities, and that we are planning to host our Spring Training Series online, rather than in person.

Much of our work around housing affordability, child care, public education, and public health continues. Toronto is increasingly unaffordable and it’s precisely in times like these that we see where our social safety net is failing vulnerable people.


 

The Financial Impact of COVID-19 on Progress Toronto

Unfortunately, the economic impact of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our funding and our operations. 

Along with changing how we work, COVID-19 is having an impact on Progress Toronto’s ability to fundraise. At a time when people are facing lay-offs and job insecurity, many of our supporters are not able to make donations - and we completely understand. 

If you’re in a position to help out with a donation today, you will be making it possible for us to pay our team, run our remote outreach activities like training workshops and phone banks, and continue our work to build a better city throughout and after this crisis.

Whether or not you’re able to chip in today, thank you. Your support and connection with us makes everything we do possible - and in a difficult moment for all of us, being a part of this community can give us all hope and connection.

Big News: The Supreme Court granted Toronto’s case challenging Doug Ford’s interference in our elections!

Big news was announced Thursday. The Supreme Court of Canada granted the City of Toronto’s appeal of Doug Ford’s Bill 5 - his interference in our active 2018 municipal elections. You likely remember that time Doug Ford changed all the rules and wards in the middle of our election, weeks before voters went to the polls — an unprecedented attack on Toronto and local democracy.

Since Bill 5 was first announced on July 27, 2018, Progress Toronto has been advocating to stop it. We’ve helped tens of thousands of people take action to stop Bill 5 and won key votes at City Hall as we encouraged the Mayor and Councillors to stand up for our city and continue fighting this unprecedented interference in city elections.  

We will keep you updated as we learn more about the timing of the case at the Supreme Court and let you know how we hope to support this fight for local democracy and cities. Find out more here: https://www.progresstoronto.ca/bill-5-supreme-court-update-mar-2020

Online Training Monday: How to Help those Vulnerable to COVID-19: Neighbourhood Pods 

This Monday, March 30 at 6pm, Progress Toronto is teaming up with the Disability Justice Network of Ontario’s Sarah Jama and with Amara Possian, one of the creators of the Neighbourhood Pod Toolkit (more on that below), to provide a webinar on neighbourhood pods. 

This will be an online training by video that’s easy for you to join, and it’s free! When you register, we will send you a link that you can open to join the online training at 6pm on Monday.

Join to hear an overview from Amara on how to start your own neighbourhood pod, and then Sarah and Progress Toronto’s Saman Tabasinejad will join the conversation on the importance of community support during the COVID-19 crisis.

Register on our website here to receive the meeting link: https://www.progresstoronto.ca/neighbourhood-pods-mar-30-2020

How You Can Help Your Neighbours During COVID-19: Neighbourhood Pods

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A great friend of Progress Toronto, Amara Possian, who has regularly provided training workshops in our Seasonal Training Series, has worked with people across Canada to create an excellent resource on helping your community during COVID-19.

Her work was even recently recognized in the Washington Post as a great Canadian example of taking care of each other through difficult times. See the article here.

Amara and others have created a toolkit on starting a Neighbourhood Pod. You can see and use the toolkit by clicking here. 

The toolkit says: Right now, people across the country are trying to find ways to take care of each other.  Neighbourhood pods are one way people are connecting to make sure everyone’s needs are met by grabbing food, medication, or anything else that might put those who are vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission at risk.

Monday, March 30 at 6pm we are hosting an online training with Amara! Find out more on our website here: https://www.progresstoronto.ca/neighbourhood-pods-mar-30-2020

Toronto-based resource developed by one of our advisors

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One of our Founding Advisors at Progress Toronto, Zahra Ebrahim, helped create an excellent resource for Torontonians to get the assistance they need and to support those in need. Zahra built this application with the support of Lizz Ashton and Ilan Shahin. 

You can view the app from your computer and you can also add it to your home screen on your phone. Simply visit https://covidto.glideapp.io/. To add it to your phone’s home screen, visit the link from your phone and choose add to homescreen from the share menu.

Once you’re on the website/in the app, you’ll see a little plus sign in the corner of some sections, where you can also add resources for people. You can search to find things you're interested in. Test it out by searching for donate, food, or rent, to see the resources that come up.


Tips on Social (Physical) Distancing

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As you know, Public Health professionals are asking everyone who is not working in an essential service to stay home and, if you must go out for the essentials, to practice physical distancing as a way to slow down transmission of COVID-19 in our communities. 

That means staying home, keeping 2 metres (6 feet) apart from others and avoiding gatherings and crowds. The City of Toronto has provided more information that you can share with others here: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-health-advice/covid-19-practicing-physical-distancing/


Thank you!

On behalf of our entire team - thank you for your support and for doing your part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Toronto and your communities.

Remember to check in online or by phone with friends, family, and loved ones to make sure they have what they need during this challenging time.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has shared information and advice related to mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic we thought you might be interested in.

Check it out here: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19 and, if you’re on Twitter, share this video with others: https://twitter.com/CAMHnews/status/1243177239178629125?s=20

We hope the resources are helpful to you and that you’re taking care! Thank you for everything you’re doing to keep each other safe and to slow the spread of COVID-19.