Dear Neighbour,

I want to wish our Muslim neighbours a wonderful Eid al-Fitr! I hope the blessings of peace and joy are with you in this season and may we celebrate together safely with extended family and friends next year.

The province has extended the stay-at-home order to June 2nd, 2021. Please remain vigilant - please book your vaccine as soon as you are eligible, wear a mask, limit your travel, maintain your physical distance and wash your hands.

This e-newsletter is longer than usual with an emphasis on vaccine eligibility, public health information, and both Ward-specific and City-wide updates.

I hope you can help us spread the word among neighbours to make this week a record week of vaccine bookings in our city.

Yours in Community,

Nrinder Nann
Ward 3 City Councillor

Multi-residential Apartment Buildings
I can imagine how vulnerable and uncertain our neighbours living in apartment buildings feel in light of the news of three buildings experiencing an outbreak of positive COIV-19 cases. Know that as a Board of Health member, I am working with Public Health and our community partners to ensure you and your homes are safe. In the meantime, I can’t stress enough the importance for you to book your vaccine shot as soon as you are eligible and remain vigilant in your public health practices.

If you live in an apartment building in Ward 3 and want to help ensure your neighbours know how to get vaccinated, we can work together. Fill out this form and we will contact you next week.

Vaccine Booking & Eligibility
This week the province expanded eligibility to the following groups. All eligible populations above can book an appointment online at www.hamilton.ca/VaccineBooking or by calling the Provincial call centre at 1-888-999-6488.

High Risk Health Conditions - you will be required to confirm your health condition upon booking.

Group 2 Workers Unable to work from home - You will be required to confirm your employment as a Group 2 worker when booking your appointment.

40 years and older in 2021.

Black & Other Racialized Residents - Priority vaccine clinics will continue for Black and Racialized residents at Restoration House until May 23rd.To sign up email vaccine@hcci.ca or call Public Health Services COVID-19 hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7

People ages 18+ living in Hot spots - As explained previously, both the Province and Hamilton have defined hotspots. In total there are five, however only residents of L8W and L9C are eligible to book an appointment through the provincial portal for a large-scale clinic at www.hamilton.ca/VaccineBooking

Residents living in L8L, L8N, and L9K must call Public Health Services COVID-19 hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7

For any group above, who DO NOT have access to the internet or a computer, or DO NOT have a valid Ontario photo health card, please call the Public Health Services COVID-19 Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7 to book an appointment.

These are all by-appointment only clinics, walk-ins are not permitted.

AstraZeneca
This week, the Province announced out of an abundance of caution, they will be pausing first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Right now, the plan for anyone who has already received one dose of AstraZenca is to still distribute a second dose. A key aspect of this decision lies in the fact the second dose has a much lower risk associated with rare blood clots.

It is important to note that the Province maintains that those who received a first dose of the vaccine did the right thing.

There is research underway to analyze the impact of mixing vaccines, and once that information is available, I will be sure to share it.

Pfizer Vaccines for Youth and Families
The province is preparing to administer the Pfizer vaccine to youth between the ages of 12 and 17 and their family members who have not received a vaccine. Per the provincial release below, beginning the week May 31, 2021, this population will be eligible to book an appointment to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, including at special dedicated youth and family clinics, throughout the weeks of June 14 and 21.

Yesterday, the Federal and Provincial Governments announced a joint $3.4B investment to build Hamilton’s Light Rail Transit project from McMaster University to Eastgate Square.

This investment is transformative for our city, our health, and our environment. This will help drive a just recovery and enable future generations to thrive in Hamilton.

I look forward to the work ahead to ensure the LRT project delivers real community benefits, green infrastructure, housing and good jobs at every stop along the way.

Let’s Get Growing in Ward 3
Back by popular demand, through a partnership with Environment Hamilton, Ward 3 residents can sign up to receive FREE seeds to grow their own garden.

Note: there are vegetables, herbs, and tree seeds available. Pick up will be within Ward 3 and contactless and seeds are first come, first serve.

For questions: Juby at jlee@environmenthamilton.org
To order, click here.

St. Matthew’s House Virtual Senior’s Centre: Friday Afternoons - 1:00pm
The real-life positive impacts of this new kind of social support, one that responds to the increasing levels of isolation currently being experienced by many in the community, but particularly vulnerable seniors are clear. Seniors can enjoy seeing friendly faces each week, and interact in a sympathetic and safe social space. Registration calls also create an opportunity for the callers to learn about other services offered by St. Matthew's House.

Seniors aged 55+ from all across Hamilton are invited to call in for their one-time registration, which includes an invitation to return every week, plus a weekly reminder of our Virtual Seniors Centre gathering. Seniors are invited to join online via computers and tablets, by cell phones or by land line.

For more information and to register, participants are welcome to call us any time at 905-523-5546 Ext. 240 or send an email to cmcphail@stmatthewshouse.ca

Listen Learn Act - Anti-Hate Community Summit: May 19-20, 2021
You are invited to participate in this two-day free virtual gathering for community to listen, learn and take an active role in anti-racism and anti-oppression work. The summit aims to help define the collective actions necessary to build an inclusive Hamilton where everyone is free from all forms of hate. Learn more and to register here.

Crown Point Garden Club
The Crown Point Garden Club’s plant swap is on now.

Planting a Pollinator Garden?
A coalition of Hamilton Non-profits make up Hamilton’s Pollinator Paradise Project. Through their website you can find resources on which native species plants support Hamilton’s ecosystems and unique biodiversity.
They will be hosting an online presentation about how to deal with invasive species on your property
May 15th from 1-3:00pm. For more information, click here.

Our Ward 3 Blog for May 14th