Chris Glover MPP, Spadina–Fort York

Government of Ontario
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COVID-19 March 24 Update

Published on March 24, 2020

Dear Neighbours,

It's a very different world than it was a week and a half ago. I am impressed with the way people are pulling together to get through this COVID-19 containment period.

We know that what we are doing is working. Although we are seeing an increase in the number of cases, without the containment measures, the increase would have been more rapid. The actions we are taking now are saving lives and will save many more lives in the near future.

We have had many offers from people in the community wanting to help others. In my office, we have reached out to agencies that serve vulnerable community members. Some of them are still working out protocols for accepting donations, but we will send out a list where people can help soon.

Many Spadina-Fort York community members have lost their income during this containment period. We have collected a list of supports and links for you below.

Tomorrow, I will be one of only a handful of MPPs in the legislature when the government releases their budget update. The NDP have been asking for income supports and rent relief for individuals and small businesses. We have also been asking for measures to protect essential service and healthcare workers. The budget will be released at 4:00 p.m. I will be tweeting out details as they become available and provide a more detailed update on Friday.

I think all of us have a new understanding of the essential work that allows us to live our daily lives - farmers, farm workers, grocery store clerks, concierge staff in our buildings, healthcare workers and support workers for the elderly, homeless and other vulnerable community members. If you have an opportunity, please reach out to them to thank them for the work they do (but maintain a 6-foot distance!).

Chris

 

Ontario closes all non-essential businesses

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is ordering all non-essential stores and services to close starting Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. Click here for more details.

Here is a full list of what’s considered "essential" (Call 1-888-444-3659 with questions about your business status). Contact the Ministry of Economic Development with other concerns.

 

Information and links you may find helpful:

 

Medical Advice

  • If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough or difficulty breathing), please start by visiting the Ministry of Health website and taking their self-assessment, and then if necessary, contact Telehealth Ontario. This may be a helpful link - Do I have COVID-19, the flu, or a cold?
  • Please do not visit a COVID-19 Testing Centre in Toronto unless you have symptoms. Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.
  • Telehealth Ontario offers free, confidential service at 1-866-797-0000. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information is available in multiple languages.
  • Toronto Public Health Hotline is available Monday to Friday (8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m) and Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. – 6 p.m) at 416-338-7600, TTY (416-392-0658) or email ([email protected])
  • If you’ve travelled, please self-isolate and monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough or difficulty breathing) for 14 days after you arrive back in Canada
  • Information about self-isolation is available from Public Health Ontario and other sources

 

General

 

Government Action

The Provincial government has:

 

The Ontario NDP is advocating:

 

Federal Government Action:

  • The federal government has offered a number of changes to tax credits to offer support in response to COVID19
  • Resources from Spadina-Fort York MP Adam Vaughan’s office including information on the Emergency Care Benefit for the self-employed
  • More details on the Federal Government supports are available here

 

City of Toronto Action:

 

Housing (Landlords & Tenants)

 

Utilities

  • Ontario has suspended time-of-use electricity rates, holding electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 10.1 cents/kilowatt hour for 45 days
  • The Ontario Energy Board is extending the current ban on electricity disconnections for non-payment for all residential customers to July 31, 2020. Low-volume, small-business customers will now also be protected by the ban.

 

Education

 

Workers

 

Best sources for accurate and up-to-date information are:

 

My Office

As per the latest recommendations from Ontario Public Service, my staff will be working from home until April 3, 2020.

We are continuing to serve the community and can be reached by phone or email:

Phone: 416-603-9664  Email: [email protected] 

Dear Neighbours,

It's a very different world than it was a week and a half ago. I am impressed with the way people are pulling together to get through this COVID-19 containment period.

We know that what we are doing is working. Although we are seeing an increase in the number of cases, without the containment measures, the increase would have been more rapid. The actions we are taking now are saving lives and will save many more lives in the near future.

We have had many offers from people in the community wanting to help others. In my office, we have reached out to agencies that serve vulnerable community members. Some of them are still working out protocols for accepting donations, but we will send out a list where people can help soon.

Many Spadina-Fort York community members have lost their income during this containment period. We have collected a list of supports and links for you below.

Tomorrow, I will be one of only a handful of MPPs in the legislature when the government releases their budget update. The NDP have been asking for income supports and rent relief for individuals and small businesses. We have also been asking for measures to protect essential service and healthcare workers. The budget will be released at 4:00 p.m. I will be tweeting out details as they become available and provide a more detailed update on Friday.

I think all of us have a new understanding of the essential work that allows us to live our daily lives - farmers, farm workers, grocery store clerks, concierge staff in our buildings, healthcare workers and support workers for the elderly, homeless and other vulnerable community members. If you have an opportunity, please reach out to them to thank them for the work they do (but maintain a 6-foot distance!).

Chris

 

Ontario closes all non-essential businesses

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is ordering all non-essential stores and services to close starting Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. Click here for more details.

Here is a full list of what’s considered "essential" (Call 1-888-444-3659 with questions about your business status). Contact the Ministry of Economic Development with other concerns.

 

Information and links you may find helpful:

 

Medical Advice

  • If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough or difficulty breathing), please start by visiting the Ministry of Health website and taking their self-assessment, and then if necessary, contact Telehealth Ontario. This may be a helpful link - Do I have COVID-19, the flu, or a cold?
  • Please do not visit a COVID-19 Testing Centre in Toronto unless you have symptoms. Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.
  • Telehealth Ontario offers free, confidential service at 1-866-797-0000. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information is available in multiple languages.
  • Toronto Public Health Hotline is available Monday to Friday (8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m) and Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. – 6 p.m) at 416-338-7600, TTY (416-392-0658) or email ([email protected])
  • If you’ve travelled, please self-isolate and monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough or difficulty breathing) for 14 days after you arrive back in Canada
  • Information about self-isolation is available from Public Health Ontario and other sources

 

General

 

Government Action

The Provincial government has:

 

The Ontario NDP is advocating:

 

Federal Government Action:

  • The federal government has offered a number of changes to tax credits to offer support in response to COVID19
  • Resources from Spadina-Fort York MP Adam Vaughan’s office including information on the Emergency Care Benefit for the self-employed
  • More details on the Federal Government supports are available here

 

City of Toronto Action:

 

Housing (Landlords & Tenants)

 

Utilities

  • Ontario has suspended time-of-use electricity rates, holding electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 10.1 cents/kilowatt hour for 45 days
  • The Ontario Energy Board is extending the current ban on electricity disconnections for non-payment for all residential customers to July 31, 2020. Low-volume, small-business customers will now also be protected by the ban.

 

Education

 

Workers

 

Best sources for accurate and up-to-date information are:

 

My Office

As per the latest recommendations from Ontario Public Service, my staff will be working from home until April 3, 2020.

We are continuing to serve the community and can be reached by phone or email:

Phone: 416-603-9664  Email: [email protected] 

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