One of the most heartening things during these COVID-19 days is the way that people are reaching out to support each other. We’ve created an online COVID-19 consultation where people can describe their situation, describe supports they need and/or offer help to others. Many community members are offering help to others with groceries, donations, and online tutoring.
The global transmission of this virus over the past two months shows how interconnected we all are. The response of the vast majority of people to help each other during this crisis shows that we are one global community and we will get through this together.
The data coming in shows that social distancing and washing your hands do work. China, which at one time had 70,000 cases is now down to 7,000. So, please follow Toronto Public Health guidelines and stay home when possible, reduce your interactions with others, wash your hands regularly for at least 18 seconds and avoid touching your face.
Government Action
After a State of Emergency was declared in Ontario, funding was released directly towards addressing the COVID-19 crisis. However, there are many indirect impacts. The Ontario government has addressed some of them by reversing their requirement for a doctor’s note to take sick leave, creating protections for workers who are following public health guidelines and changing a municipal code to allow around-the-clock grocery delivery.
But more needs to be done; our constituents are losing income and concerned about their livelihood. Among other gaps, tenants who have been laid off or are on unpaid leave, are concerned about not being able to afford rent. While Canada’s banks have offered 6 month mortgage payment deferrals on a case-by-case basis, tenants are feeling left behind. The Solicitor General announced eviction notices have been suspended and no new eviction notices can be sent out, but we are calling on the current government to legislate stronger protections for tenants who are not able to make rent payments.
Other important notes:
- 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. Unfortunately, this protection against disconnection does not apply to customers of sub-metering companies (normally apartment building tenants and condo residents) so we will continue to monitor and advocate for more hydro supports for our residents.
- Ontario has also launched a Learn at Home Portal to provide resources for families so students can continue their education while schools are closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation
- Community Legal Education Ontario has released a guide to legal issues that arise out of the COVID-19 crisis.
- The federal government and our municipal representatives have also taken action in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a list of all Toronto closures is available here and here.
I will continue to advocate for more support for you, and I ask you to direct your questions and concerns to my constituency office at 416-603-9664 or [email protected] . If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please start by visiting the Ministry of Health website and taking their self-assessment, and then if necessary, contact Telehealth Ontario. Please do not visit a COVID-19 assessment centre unless you have symptoms. Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.
As always, your best sources for accurate and up-to-date information are:
Public Health Ontario: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus/public-resources
Toronto Public Health: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/
Canada Health: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen
For University Updates: https://ontariosuniversities.ca/coronavirus
Communities are coming together and providing ways to stay occupied. Today, Chris Martin of Coldplay kicked off an online mini gig #TogetherAtHome at:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B90Ft_knpuT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading
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]
One of the most heartening things during these COVID-19 days is the way that people are reaching out to support each other. We’ve created an online COVID-19 consultation where people can describe their situation, describe supports they need and/or offer help to others. Many community members are offering help to others with groceries, donations, and online tutoring.
The global transmission of this virus over the past two months shows how interconnected we all are. The response of the vast majority of people to help each other during this crisis shows that we are one global community and we will get through this together.
The data coming in shows that social distancing and washing your hands do work. China, which at one time had 70,000 cases is now down to 7,000. So, please follow Toronto Public Health guidelines and stay home when possible, reduce your interactions with others, wash your hands regularly for at least 18 seconds and avoid touching your face.
Government Action
After a State of Emergency was declared in Ontario, funding was released directly towards addressing the COVID-19 crisis. However, there are many indirect impacts. The Ontario government has addressed some of them by reversing their requirement for a doctor’s note to take sick leave, creating protections for workers who are following public health guidelines and changing a municipal code to allow around-the-clock grocery delivery.
But more needs to be done; our constituents are losing income and concerned about their livelihood. Among other gaps, tenants who have been laid off or are on unpaid leave, are concerned about not being able to afford rent. While Canada’s banks have offered 6 month mortgage payment deferrals on a case-by-case basis, tenants are feeling left behind. The Solicitor General announced eviction notices have been suspended and no new eviction notices can be sent out, but we are calling on the current government to legislate stronger protections for tenants who are not able to make rent payments.
Other important notes:
- 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. Unfortunately, this protection against disconnection does not apply to customers of sub-metering companies (normally apartment building tenants and condo residents) so we will continue to monitor and advocate for more hydro supports for our residents.
- Ontario has also launched a Learn at Home Portal to provide resources for families so students can continue their education while schools are closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation
- Community Legal Education Ontario has released a guide to legal issues that arise out of the COVID-19 crisis.
- The federal government and our municipal representatives have also taken action in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a list of all Toronto closures is available here and here.
I will continue to advocate for more support for you, and I ask you to direct your questions and concerns to my constituency office at 416-603-9664 or [email protected] . If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please start by visiting the Ministry of Health website and taking their self-assessment, and then if necessary, contact Telehealth Ontario. Please do not visit a COVID-19 assessment centre unless you have symptoms. Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.
As always, your best sources for accurate and up-to-date information are:
Public Health Ontario: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus/public-resources
Toronto Public Health: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/
Canada Health: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen
For University Updates: https://ontariosuniversities.ca/coronavirus
Communities are coming together and providing ways to stay occupied. Today, Chris Martin of Coldplay kicked off an online mini gig #TogetherAtHome at:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B90Ft_knpuT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading
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]