October 22,2020

Ontario Protects Workers, Volunteers and Organizations Who Make Honest Efforts to Follow COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines and Laws

Proposed Legislation Will Still Allow for Legal Action Against Intentional Misconduct and Gross Negligence

The Ontario government is introducing the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, 2020, that if passed, will provide liability protection for workers, volunteers and organizations that make an honest effort to follow public health guidelines and laws relating to exposure to COVID-19. At the same time, it will maintain the right of Ontarians to take legal action against those who willfully, or with gross negligence, endanger others.

If passed, the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, 2020 will provide targeted protection for those who are making an honest effort to follow public health guidelines and laws, including:

• Healthcare workers and institutions;
• Frontline workers who serve the public everywhere from grocery stores to restaurants and retail stores;
• Businesses and their employees;
• Charities, non-profit organizations; and
• Coaches, volunteers and minor sports associations.

“The proposed legislation would ensure Ontarians, who are contributing to the recovery of our province and make good faith efforts to follow public health guidance and laws on COVID-19, are not discouraged from making a difference in their communities because they are afraid of civil liability,” said Attorney General Downey.

The proposed changes will also ensure court resources are used where they are needed most: to hold accountable bad actors who ignore 

October 21, 2020

Funding Opportunities

Canada United Small Business Relief Fund Extended

Created and launched by RBC, Canada United is a national movement to support local businesses in communities across the country. As part of the movement, RBC brought together more than 70 of Canada’s leading brands, the national Chamber of Commerce network and business associations to rally Canadians to “show local some love” by buying, dining and shopping local.

The Federal Government has contributed $12 million to the CUSBRF and they are extending relief grants to more small businesses and restart accepting grant applications from small businesses across all Provinces. The eligibility criteria has been updated and the application process streamlined.

The new application window will be open on Monday, October 26, 2020. This fund was fully subscribed in 2 days last application.

Program for Women Led Business

RE3 is here to help women-led businesses in Eastern Ontario Rebuild, Reopen and Revive. This program is through Northumberland Community Futures Corporation and Fed Dev Ontario.

Women entrepreneurs will be at the forefront of economic recovery and revival in Eastern Ontario.  On a competitive basis, we are offering one-time, performance-based and non-repayable funding of up to $5,000 for:

✔ Acquisition of required/mandated Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

✔ Workspace reconfiguration to accommodate physical distancing

✔ Hardware/software upgrades to enhance online capacity, client servicing, and accessibility.

Does RE3 align with your plan for business resilience and renewal? Then we invite you to apply now! Click the link below for more information.

Apply Now – https://financingandstrategy.com/re3/

October 20, 2020

Today, during Small Business Week, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced an investment of $12 million in the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund.

Canada United is a national fundraising campaign created by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) in collaboration with private sector partners and provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, including the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC). The campaign has been rallying support from Canadians for local small businesses in every corner of the country.

The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund, which is managed by the OCC, is supporting Canadian businesses across different sectors and industries with grants of up to $5,000. These grants will help thousands of small business owners cover the costs of personal protective equipment, make physical modifications to their businesses to meet local health and safety requirements, and enhance their digital or e-commerce capabilities. This is especially important as we enter the second wave of the pandemic.

This investment builds on the Government of Canada’s continued support for small and local businesses through a wide range of COVID-19 emergency programs, such as the expanded Canada Emergency Business Account, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.

Starting on October 26, small businesses can apply online through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for the next wave of Canada United Small Business Relief Fund grants.

Patio Information

Important information received from OCOBIA (The Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Area) regarding the new Patios Rules from the city of Ottawa:

• Tents and enclosures must have a building permit after October 31st  due to winter conditions. Please have your members contact Building Code Services.
• The Province has updated wording on outdoor enclosed spaces from 50% open to two sides open.
• Patios on ROAD CLOSURES extended to November 30th.
• Summer patio permits extended to Nov. 15 – note new tent/enclosure rules.
• The Right of Way (ROW) Winter patio season is November 16 until March 31 for 2020. A winter patio permit for ROW is required after November 15th.
• The temporary private patio program has been extended to December 31, 2020 (this is different from a ROW patio).
• There is no cost to change your patio permit to cafe style seating. The AGCO now permits alcohol service for this seating style.  

October 19, 2020

Stay Safe and Follow Public Health Advice This Halloween

Today, Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued the following statement detailing public health advice for Halloween this year:

“As Ontarians begin to prepare for Halloween this year, I’d like to remind everyone to take extra precautions to ensure you are keeping yourself and your families safe.

Given the high transmission of COVID-19 in the modified Stage 2 public health unit regions of Ottawa, Peel, Toronto and York Region, traditional door-to-door trick or treating is not recommended and people should consider alternative ways to celebrate. This can include, but is not limited to:

• Encouraging kids to dress up and participate in virtual activities and parties;
• Organizing a Halloween candy hunt with people living in their own household;
• Carving pumpkins;
• Having a movie night or sharing scary stories; and
• Decorating front lawns.

To have a safe and happy Halloween, Ontarians should follow some simple steps:

• Avoid gatherings with people outside of your household;
• Stay home if you are feeling ill, even if you have mild symptoms, or if you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19;
• If you live outside the modified Stage 2 public health unit regions and are going to go out to trick or treat:
  • Only go out with members of your household;
  • Only trick or treat outside;
  • Both trick or treaters and people handing out candy should wear a face covering. A costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering and should not be worn over a face covering as it may make it difficult to breathe;
  • Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps and remember to line up two metres apart if waiting. Avoid high-touch surfaces and objects;
  • Whether collecting or handing out treats, wash your hands often and thoroughly, or use hand sanitizer; and
  • Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for children to grab and consider using tongs or other similar tools to hand out treats.

I would also like to remind everyone that we are in a second wave of COVID-19. There have been increases in cases in many areas across the province, and the percentage of people tested who get a positive result is going up.

The severity of this second wave is in our hands. Through our collective efforts, we can change the outcome of this new outbreak. That is why it remains critical to continue following these important actions everyday in order to protect your health and stop the spread of COVID-19, including:

• Limit trips outside of home, except for essential purposes such as work where it is not possible to work from home, school, grocery shopping, medical appointments, and outdoor healthy physical activity;
• Stay home if you feel ill or have symptoms even if they are mild;
• Maintain physical distancing of at least two metres with those outside your household;
• Wear a face covering indoors in workplaces, businesses and facilities, and wear one outdoors if physical distancing cannot be maintained or if wearing one is required;
• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly;
• Follow social gathering and organized public event limits;
• Download the COVID Alert mobile app;
• If you are concerned you were exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms, take the online COVID-19 self-assessment; and
• Get tested if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19, or if you have been advised of exposure by your local public health unit or through COVID Alert. Visit Ontario.ca/covidtest to find the nearest testing location.”

October 13, 2020

Ontario Helps Keep Energy Costs Low for Families, Small Businesses and Farmers

Province keeps electricity rates stable and provides customers with more choice

The Ontario government is helping to keep the cost of energy low for families, small businesses and farmers by keeping electricity rates stable and providing customers with more choice and energy assistance programs.

Customers eligible for the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) will automatically receive a 33.2% reduction off their energy bill when new electricity rates for Regulated Price Plan (RPP) customers come into effect November 1, 2020. At the same time, customers paying Time-of-Use (TOU) rates under the RPP will also have the option to switch to tiered rate pricing. Time-of-use electricity rates vary by time of day and are comprised of three different rate periods of off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak pricing. Tiered electricity rates provide customers with a set rate for electricity up to a certain level of consumption.

The province has also revised the eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB). Households, small businesses and charitable organizations who made partial payments on amounts owing before the COVID-19 emergency period are now eligible for the CEAP and CEAP-SB one-time on-bill credit to help pay down electricity bill debt. The expanded eligibility also eliminates the requirement for residential consumers to be unemployed when applying for CEAP. Local utilities will re-assess previously rejected applications and start accepting new applications on October 16, 2020.

The Energy Affordability Program is part of Ontario’s new 2021-2024 electricity Conservation Demand Management (CDM) Framework, which also offers energy-efficiency programs for on-reserve First Nations consumers and Ontario business and industrial consumers to increase competitiveness and lower electricity costs. The new Framework will come into force January 1, 2021, immediately following the end of the current Interim Framework on December 31, 20

Ontario Continues to Support Restaurants During COVID-19 Pandemic

Province Helping to Offset Fixed Costs and Permitting Alcohol with Delivery and Takeout Food Orders

The Ontario government is encouraging everyone to support local restaurants and the food services industry during COVID-19. Last week, the province introduced additional targeted public health measures in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts to help slow the spread of the virus. Over the next 28 days, indoor food and drink service at restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments in these regions will be prohibited, but they may continue to offer takeout, delivery and outdoor dining.

To provide relief for local restaurants and other businesses impacted by the new public health measures, Ontario announced $300 million to help offset fixed costs, including property taxes, hydro and natural gas bills.

The government is also supporting small business through its Main Street Recovery Plan by:

• Committing to permanently allow licensed restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order before the existing regulation expires;
• Permanently allowing 24/7 deliveries to restaurants;
• Supporting the distribution of local food and food products by increasing the range of products sold at the Ontario Food Terminal;
• Ending outdated and duplicative rules so businesses can focus on their work;
• Modernizing regulations to allow businesses to innovate and meet the challenges of today;
• Providing mental health supports to business owners and employees who are struggling;
• Providing $57 million with federal partners through the Digital Main Street program and creating new Digital Main Street squads to help small businesses grow online; and
• Launching a new portal to assist small businesses to quickly find the supports and information they need.

October 9, 2020

Ontario Implementing Additional Public Health Measures in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region

Government Taking Further Steps to Support Small Business in these Hotspots

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Public Health Measures Table, and local medical officers of health and other health experts, the Ontario government is introducing additional targeted public health measures in the Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto public health unit regions. These modified Stage 2 restrictions will be for a minimum of 28 days and reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Effective Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., these targeted measures are being implemented in Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto as a result of their higher than average rates of transmission. Measures under a modified Stage 2 include:

• Reducing limits for all social gatherings and organized public events to a maximum of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained. The two limits may not be combined for an indoor-outdoor event;
• Prohibiting indoor food and drink service in restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, including nightclubs and food court areas in malls;
• Closing of:
  • Indoor gyms and fitness centres (i.e., exercise classes and weight and exercise rooms);
  • Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments;
  • Indoor cinemas;
  • Performing arts centres and venues;
  • Spectator areas in racing venues;
  • Interactive exhibits or exhibits with high risk of personal contact in museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, etc.;

• Prohibiting personal care services where face coverings must be removed for the service (e.g. makeup application, beard trimming);
• Reducing the capacity limits for:
  • Tour and guide services to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors
  • Real estate open houses to 10 people indoors, where physical distancing can be maintained.
  • In-person teaching and instruction (e.g. cooking class) to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, with exemptions for schools, child care centres, universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, private career colleges, the Ontario Police College, etc.
  • Meeting and event spaces to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, and
• Limiting team sports to training sessions (no games or scrimmages).

Schools, child care centres, and places of worship will remain open in these communities and must continue to follow the public health measures in place. Before-school and after-school programs will also be exempt from these new restrictions.

Given the extraordinary costs associated with these functions, wedding receptions scheduled for this weekend may proceed under existing public health rules. Effective Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., updated public health measures will apply to wedding receptions, including new gathering limits of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors at event spaces.

“The rising number of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks with increasing rates of hospitalization and ICU admissions is very concerning and putting our health system capacity at risk,” said Minister Elliott. “We need to halt this dangerous trend by tightening public health measures in Ottawa, Peel and Toronto in order to keep our schools open, protect our seniors and our loved ones in long-term care homes, and avoid the need for harsher measures in the future. This was not an easy decision but a necessary one to potentially preventing something much worse.”

In addition to the measures being implemented in the Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto public health unit regions, the Chief Medical Officer of Health is also urging all Ontarians to:

• Limit trips outside of home, except for essential purposes only such as work where it is not possible to work from home, school, grocery shopping, medical appointments, and outdoor healthy physical activity. In addition, travel to other regions in the province, especially from higher transmission to lower transmission areas, should only be for essential purposes;
• Practise physical distancing of at least two metres with those outside your household;
• Wear a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so; and
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly; and following gathering limits and rules.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health and other public health experts continue to closely monitor the evolving situation across the province to advise if and when public health measures or restrictions should be adjusted or tightened.

For additional protection, the Ontario government is encouraging everyone to download the new COVID Alert app on their smart phone from the Apple and Google Play app stores.

As these necessary public health measures come at a cost to small businesses, Ontario has planned to and will make $300 million available to assist significantly affected businesses with fixed costs, including property taxes, hydro and natural gas bills.

“Since the outset of the pandemic the government has recognized that the health and safety of the people of Ontario must come first, while supporting workers and business-owners during this unprecedented global pandemic,” said Minister Phillips. “Ontario will build on the historic collaboration with the Government of Canada to ensure workers are protected, businesses are supported, and that this support arrives as soon as possible.”

This support will be provided by the province and will be made available in any region where these measures are necessary. More details will be released in the coming days.

This funding builds on the actions the government has taken to support small businesses throughout the pandemic, including putting in place a temporary moratorium on commercial evictions, making $60 million available for a $1,000 grant for small businesses to offset the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE), and exploring options to permanently allow restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order.

Government announces new, targeted support to help businesses through pandemic

The Government of Canada took immediate action to help Canadian businesses affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, from helping keep employees on the job to increasing cash flow and providing support to help pay rent.

While some parts of our economy are recovering, others continue to struggle with reduced revenues, increased costs, and uncertainty because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government plans to introduce legislation to provide support that would help these businesses safely get through the second wave of the virus and the winter, cover costs so they can continue to serve their communities, and be positioned for a strong recovery, including:

• The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, which would provide simple and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support until June 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19. The rent subsidy would be provided directly to tenants, while also providing support to property owners. The new rent subsidy would support businesses, charities, and non-profits that have suffered a revenue drop, by subsidizing a percentage of their expenses, on a sliding scale, up to a maximum of 65 per cent of eligible expenses until December 19, 2020. Organizations would be able to make claims retroactively for the period that began September 27 and ends October 24, 2020.
• A top-up Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy of 25 per cent for organizations temporarily shut down by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority, in addition to the 65 per cent subsidy. This follows a commitment in the Speech from the Throne to provide direct financial support to businesses temporarily shut down as a result of a local public health decision.
• The extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until June 2021, which would continue to protect jobs by helping businesses keep employees on the payroll and encouraging employers to re-hire their workers. The subsidy would remain at the current subsidy rate of up to a maximum of 65 per cent of eligible wages until December 19, 2020. This measure is part of the government’s commitment to create over 1 million jobs and restore employment to the level it was before the pandemic.
• An expanded Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), which would enable businesses, and not-for-profits eligible for CEBA loans—and that continue to be seriously impacted by the pandemic—to access an interest-free loan of up to $20,000, in addition to the original CEBA loan of $40,000. Half of this additional financing would be forgivable if repaid by December 31, 2022. Additionally, the application deadline for CEBA is being extended to December 31, 2020. Further details, including the launch date and application process will be announced in the coming days. An attestation of the impact of COVID-19 on the business will be required to access the additional financing.

October 7, 2020

Ontario Supports Small Main Street Businesses with $60 Million in Funding through PPE Grant

New measures will help businesses reopen safer, rehire faster and recover from COVID-19

The Ontario government is continuing to help businesses rebuild, reinvest and create good jobs across the province. Today, Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, announced Ontario’s Main Street Recovery Plan and intends to introduce the Main Street Recovery Act, 2020, proposed legislation that would support small businesses and modernize rules to allow them to innovate and meet the challenges of today. If passed, the act will remove hurdles faced by small businesses and allow them to pursue new opportunities — while maintaining or enhancing protections for public health, safety and the environment.

The plan includes:

• A one-time grant of up to $1,000 for eligible main street small businesses — in retail, food and accommodations, and other service sectors — with two to nine employees to help offset the unexpected costs of personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Ontario’s Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Network, which links 47 Small Business Enterprise Centres across the province as places where small businesses can access tailored advice and information on local, provincial and federal programs;
• Digital Main Street Squads to help small businesses grow online;
• Mental health supports for families, frontline workers, young people, children, and Indigenous communities;
• Ontario’s Small Business Recovery Webpage to provide single window access to small business supports.

The plan’s regulatory and legislative changes, if passed, will:

• Commit to exploring options to permanently allow licensed restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order before the existing regulation expires;
• Permanently allow 24/7 deliveries to businesses that include retail stores, restaurants, and distribution facilities;
• Support the distribution of local food and food products by increasing the range of products sold at the Ontario Food Terminal;
• Enable Community Net Metering demonstration projects to help support local communities to develop innovative community projects like net-zero or community micro-grids;
• Modernize the Assistive Devices Program;
• Support Ontario’s Taxi and Limousine Industry by increasing fines for illegal operators.

October 6,2020

Making Ontario Better for People and Smarter for Business

Reducing Regulatory Burdens to Support Economic Recovery and Growth

 The Ontario government continues to deliver on its commitment to remove regulatory roadblocks, cut red tape and support job creation with the introduction of the Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2020. The legislation is part of the province’s made-in-Ontario plan for growth, renewal and economic recovery. 

If passed, the act will strengthen Ontario’s economic recovery, support businesses on the ground, and help government deliver clear and effective rules that promote public health and safeguard the environment without sacrificing innovation, growth and opportunity.

The proposed changes in the act, along with other measures, include: 

• Requiring gas and electric utilities to adopt the Green Button Connect My Data and Download My Data standard to help Ontarians understand their energy use and reduce costs;
• Supporting renewable and alternative fuels and emissions reduction technology;
• Allowing single traffic studies for an entire specified highway corridor or area to reduce duplication and enable developers to get shovels in the ground faster;
• Protecting the environment and the health and safety of Ontarians by improving hazardous waste tracking;
• Consulting on amendments to clarify when pre-start reviews are required in factories in order to make it easier for businesses to comply;
• Making it easier for property developers to get the environmental information they need by moving from a manual paper-based process to a much faster separate alternative digital delivery platform;
• Requiring water bottling companies to receive support from the host municipality prior to applying for a new or increased permit to take ground water;
• Helping inter-community bus carriers fill service gaps and meet local community transit needs.

The proposed Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2020 is the latest in a series of red tape reduction and regulatory modernization efforts to make Ontario more competitive, attract investment and create jobs.

October 2, 2020

Ontario Implementing Additional Public Health and Testing Measures to Keep People Safe

Difficult, but Necessary Decisions to Prevent and Stop the Spread of COVID-19

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, local medical officers of health and public health experts, the Ontario government is tightening public health measures. At the same time, in response to the second wave of COVID-19 and in preparation for the cold winter months, the government is taking action to reduce testing turnaround times while prioritizing those who are at the greatest risk.

New Measures for Testing

The government is taking additional steps to respond to the second wave of COVID-19 and prevent and stop the spread of the virus, while safely keeping schools and businesses open. These include:

• Transitioning to appointment-based testing at Ontario assessment centres beginning Tuesday, October 6, 2020, providing certainty to patients as to when they can receive a test during the cold winter months and allowing assessment centres to conduct enhanced screening to ensure adherence to the guidelines released on September 24, 2020;
• Beginning on Sunday, October 4, 2020, assessment centres will discontinue walk-in testing services, so the province’s lab network can make significant progress in processing tests and to allow assessment centres the necessary time to reset, deep clean and ensure preparedness for the new appointment-based model;
• Continuing mobile testing and pop-up testing centres to reach vulnerable populations and provide targeted testing for long-term care, congregate care, and other vulnerable populations;
• Expanding the number of pharmacies where people with no symptoms within provincial testing guidance can get tested; and
• Implementing updated testing guidance for children to help parents determine when it is most appropriate for students, children and their families to seek a test for COVID-19.

Ontario is also taking longer-term actions to increase the province’s test processing capacity so people can get their results faster, including:

• Increasing testing and processing capacity to 50,000 tests per day by mid-October and 68,000 tests per day by mid-November; and
• Introducing new testing methods once they are approved by Health Canada, including point of care testing and antigen testing.

New Public Health Measures

As the number of new cases continues to rise, the province is taking decisive action to prevent and stop the spread of the virus and avoid future lockdowns. These new restrictions were adopted through the amended order O. Reg 364/20 (Rules for Areas in Stage 3 under the Reopening Ontario [A Flexible Response to COVID-19] Act, 2020). They include mandating the use of face coverings in all public indoor settings across the province, such as businesses, facilities and workplaces, with limited exemptions, including corrections and developmental services.

Targeted measures will also be implemented in Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto as a result of their higher than average rates of transmission. These include:

• Setting an indoor capacity limit to restrict occupancy at restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments (including nightclubs) to the number of patrons who can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other patron, to a maximum of 100 patrons, permitting no more than six patrons per table, requiring operators to ensure patrons lining up or congregating outside of their establishment maintain physical distancing, and mandating that the name and contact information for each patron be collected;
• Restricting group exercise classes at gyms and other fitness settings to 10 individuals, as well as restricting the total number of people allowed at these facilities to a maximum of 50; and
• Setting a limit on the number of people allowed at meeting and event facilities, including banquet halls, to six people per table and 50 people per facility.

“With Ontario’s recent alarming growth in the number of COVID-19 cases, our government is taking further action to help stop the spread of the virus and avoid future lockdowns,” said Minister Elliott. “These are difficult, but necessary decisions that are being made to keep people safe, especially our seniors and vulnerable citizens. Everyone must follow the public health guidelines if we are going to stop the spread and contain the second wave.”

This amended order will come into effect on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.

In addition, the government is:

• Extending the pause on any further reopening of businesses, facilities, and organizations for an additional 28 days, unless already permitted to open under O. Reg 364/20;
• Pausing social circles and advising that all Ontarians allow close contact only with people living in their own household and maintain two metres physical distancing from everyone else. Individuals who live alone may consider having close contact with another household; and
• Finalizing additional guidance for seniors (70 and over) on how to minimize their risk of acquiring COVID-19, including for upcoming annual gatherings such as Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health and other public health experts continue to closely monitor the evolving situation across the province to advise if and when public health measures or restrictions should be adjusted or tightened.

It remains critically important for everyone to continue following public health advice, including everyday actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as practising physical distancing with those outside your household; wearing a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so; washing your hands frequently and thoroughly; and following gathering limits and rules.

For additional protection, the Ontario government is encouraging everyone to download the new COVID Alert app on their smart phone from the Apple and Google Play app stores.

October 1, 2020

Prime Minister announces infrastructure plan to create jobs and grow the economy

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced $10 billion in new major infrastructure initiatives to create jobs and economic growth. The Canada Infrastructure Bank’s (CIB) Growth Plan will help Canadians get back to work and is expected to create approximately 60,000 jobs across the country. The three-year plan will connect more households and small businesses to high-speed Internet, strengthen Canadian agriculture, and help build a low-carbon economy.

The Growth Plan will invest in five major initiatives:

• $2.5 billion for clean power to support renewable generation and storage and to transmit clean electricity between provinces, territories, and regions, including to northern and Indigenous communities.
• $2 billion to connect approximately 750,000 homes and small businesses to broadband in underserved communities, so Canadians can better participate in the digital economy.
• $2 billion to invest in large-scale building retrofits to increase energy efficiency and help make communities more sustainable.
• $1.5 billion for agriculture irrigation projects to help the agriculture sector enhance production, strengthen Canada’s food security, and expand export opportunities.
• $1.5 billion to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission buses and charging infrastructure so Canadians can have cleaner commutes.

To accelerate the delivery of projects in which the CIB intends to invest, it will also allocate $500 million for project development and early construction works.

Today’s announcement is part of the government’s campaign to create over one million jobs to rebuild from the pandemic, and our more than $180 billion commitment to invest in new infrastructure across Canada. The government will continue to focus on making investments to strengthen the middle class, create new jobs, and grow the economy, as we work together to fight COVID-19 and build a more resilient Canada. Together, we can create a Canada that is healthier and safer, cleaner and more competitive, and fairer and more inclusive for future generations.

Ontario Provides $461 Million to Temporarily Enhance Wages For Personal Support Workers

New Investments Support Province’s COVID-19 Fall Preparedness Plan

The Ontario government is supporting personal support workers (PSWs) and direct support workers in the home and community care, long-term care, public hospitals, and social services sectors by investing $461 million to temporarily enhance wages. This investment will help the province attract and retain the workforce needed to care for patients, clients and residents in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The province is providing a temporary wage increase effective October 1, 2020 to over 147,000 workers who deliver publicly funded personal support services:

• $3 per hour for approximately 38,000 eligible workers in home and community care;
• $3 per hour for approximately 50,000 eligible workers in long-term care;
• $2 per hour for approximately 12,300 eligible workers in public hospitals; and
• $3 per hour for approximately 47,000 eligible workers in children, community and social services providing personal direct support services for the activities of daily living.

The temporary wage enhancement will be reviewed on a regular basis and could extend through March 31, 2021, in connection with regulations made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020.

This temporary wage enhancement continues to build on the province’s COVID-19 fall preparedness plan, which includes an investment of $26.3 million to support PSWs and supportive care workers. The plan will help to increase and stabilize the healthcare workforce through the following investments:

• $14 million for the Personal Support Worker training funds to continue training PSWs in the home and community care and long-term care sectors;
• $10.3 million for the new Personal Support Worker Return of Service Program, to recruit and retain recent graduates to work in long-term care homes and in the home and community care sectors. This program will provide a $5,000 incentive to 2,000 recent graduates for a six-month commitment to work in these settings;
• $1.3 million to train 160 supportive care workers to provide basic home support services; and
• $700,000 in accelerated personal support worker training for 220 students with prior health experience to practice in Ontario.

These temporary investments build on the province’s COVID-19 fall preparedness plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, which will help the province quickly identify, prevent and respond to any scenario in order to protect communities.

September 30, 2020

Ontario Releases Updated COVID-19 Modelling for Second Wave

Modelling Shows Following Public Health Measures Remains Critical to Stop the Spread

The Ontario government today released updated COVID-19 modelling, which shows the province is experiencing a second surge in cases similar to what other jurisdictions have experienced. The province is providing the public with full transparency about the consequences if Ontarians are not vigilant in adhering to public health measures. The Chief Medical Officer of Health says Ontarians must be vigilant in adhering to public health measures to reduce the number of new cases and the spread of the virus.

Ontario has developed a comprehensive plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, to ensure the health care system is prepared for the immediate challenges of the fall including future surges and waves of COVID-19 and flu season. The plan ensures the province is able to quickly respond to any scenario in order to protect all Ontarians and communities.

Key highlights from the modelling update include:

• Ontario is currently on an upward trajectory similar to what its peer jurisdictions, including Victoria, Australia and Michigan in the United States, have experienced.
• Cases are currently doubling approximately every 10 to 12 days.
• The growth in cases was initially in the 20 to 39 age group but now cases are climbing in all age groups.
• Forecasting suggests that Ontario could be around 1,000 cases per day in the first half of October.
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) occupancy is currently steady, but it is predicted that admissions will likely rise with an increase in COVID-19 patients being hospitalized.
• Ontario may see between 200 and 300 patients with COVID-19 in ICU beds per day if cases continue to grow.
• In order to reduce the spread and the number of new cases, it remains critical that Ontarians continue to adhere to public health measures, including avoiding large gatherings, physical distancing and wearing a face covering.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health and other public health experts will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation to advise if and when public health restrictions need further adjustment, or if a community-specific or region-specific approach should be taken.

September 29, 2020

Ontario Working to Increase the Supply of French-Language Teachers in the Province

Initiative will help students receive a high-quality education in French

The Ontario government is taking action to recruit and retain more French teachers to ensure that all students receive a high-quality French-language or French as a Second Language (FSL) education. To assist in this effort the province is supporting various initiatives such as career fairs, as well as partnering with two working groups in order to focus on professional development for French teachers and raise awareness of employment opportunities.

To attract more French-Language teachers the government is taking several actions including:

• A partnership with Laurentian University to create a new hybrid initial teacher education program (with a first cohort in 2020-21); 
• The development of projects with sector partners, such as career fairs, and a recruitment portal for the French-language school boards which includes a link to supporting resources and an online help desk for educators; and
• Possible changes to regulations that would help hire more qualified French-language teachers. 

To attract more French as a Second Language teachers the province is taking several actions including:

• A new guide for English-language school boards and a French proficiency assessment tool that will help public schools hire and train more French as a Second Language (FSL) teachers;
• An online portal, to be created by Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) aimed at students to promote postsecondary studies and experiences that can lead to a career as an FSL teacher in Ontario; and a promotional campaign about the FSL career path;
• Outreach activities, to be developed by York University and aimed at Grade 11 students that will promote careers as an FSL teacher in Ontario; transition courses for internationally-trained Francophone teachers; and an online platform for French as a Second Language teachers that will support them in their professional learning.

Ontario continues to partner with various education stakeholders, including its provincial French Language Working Group, to address the recruitment and retention of teachers in the French-language school system. In addition, it is relaunching the FSL Provincial Working Group, whose membership will represent a variety of perspectives, including those of senior school board administrators, teachers, parents, FSL associations and researchers.  

September 28, 2020

Ontario Investing $52.5 Million to Recruit, Retain and Support More Health Care Workers

Initiative Will Ensure the Province Can Meet any Surge in Demand during COVID-19

The Ontario government is investing $52.5 million to recruit, retain and support over 3,700 more frontline health care workers and caregivers to ensure our health care system can meet any surge in demand, while continuing to provide safe and high-quality care to patients and long-term care residents. This investment is part of the province’s COVID-19 fall preparedness plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19.

In order to increase and stabilize the health care workforce, the province is investing an additional $26.3 million to support personal support workers (PSWs) and supportive care workers, including:

• $14 million for the Personal Support Worker training funds to continue training PSWs in the home and community care and long-term care sectors;
• $10.3 million for the new Personal Support Worker Return of Service Program, to recruit and retain recent graduates to work in long-term care homes and in the home and community care sectors. This program will provide a $5,000 incentive to 2,000 recent graduates for a six-month commitment to work in these settings;
• $1.3 million to train 160 supportive care workers to provide basic home support services; and
• $700,000 in accelerated PSW training for 220 students with prior health experience to practice in Ontario.

The province is investing an additional $26 million to support nurses, including:

• $18 million for Ontario’s Nursing Graduate Guarantee program, which provides full-time salary and benefits for over 600 nurses with a focus on recruiting in areas of need such as long-term care homes and acute care settings; and
• Up to $8 million to add over 800 nurses to the health system in areas of need across the province.

The province is supporting frontline workers, families and caregivers by:

• Investing $200,000 to improve the matching algorithm for the Ontario Matching Portal, which will enable employers to get faster matches that best meet their needs;
• Expanding training, tools and resources available to frontline workers across the social services sector; and
• Continuing to update visitor policies for congregate care settings, including long-term care, that promote family and caregiver involvement to support better care and reduce isolation.

Patios on Private Property

Council has extended the Temporary Zoning By-law amendment for patios on private property to December 31^st to align with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission’s (AGCO) temporary extension for liquor licensing.

Covered Patios – Tents and other types of structures 

Building Code Services, Ottawa Public Health and Fire Services have jointly advised that at least 50% of any structure (i.e. walls) must be open while the patio is in operation, regardless of the weather or type of heating source. This is to ensure adequate air circulation to mitigate possible transmission of COVID-19. 

Heating of Patios and Blankets 

With the cold weather approaching, the city of Ottawa with the [email protected] have issued some recommendations on their website that all heaters are approved for use in Canada with proper ventilation and installation. Size and type of the extinguishers depend on the patio size. Patio Operators must also adhere to all requirements of the Ontario Fire Code. 

As a reminder, at least 50% of any structure (i.e. walls) must be open while the patio is in operation, regardless of the weather or type of heating source (i.e. electric, propane) to insure adequate ventilation and air circulation. It will also prevent the build up of carbon monoxide.

With respect to the safety of blankets for customers on patios, please be advised that Ottawa Public Health recommends that customers bring their own blankets or, if blankets are provided, that they are laundered in between uses. It is also important to ensure that combustibles, such as blankets, are kept away from heating sources.  

September 24, 2020

Ontario Investing More Than $1 Billion to Expand COVID-19 Testing and Contact Tracing

Province Also Enhancing Efforts to Quickly Identify, Manage and Prevent COVID-19 Outbreaks

 The Ontario government is building on the largest provincial testing initiative in Canada by providing $1.07 billion to expand COVID-19 testing and case and contact management. The government is also immediately investing $30 million to prevent and manage outbreaks in priority sectors, including the province’s long-term care homes, retirement homes and schools. These investments are part of the province’s comprehensive plan to prepare the health system for a second wave of COVID-19.

Expanding testing and case and contact management

A critical part of Ontario’s COVID-19 fall preparedness plan is encouraging people to continue to adhere to foundational public health measures and monitor public health trends carefully. That’s why the province is investing $1.07 billion to enhance and expand efforts to test, trace and isolate new cases of COVID-19.

Building on these efforts, Ontario will strengthen public health measures and continue to expand testing and case and contact management through the following:

More Testing Locations: Working with Ontario Health, local public health units and hospitals, Ontario will expand testing locations based on local needs to provide Ontarians with more access to testing and reduce testing wait times. This will include adding more testing locations such as primary care offices, at-home testing for certain home and community care clients, and starting on Friday, September 25, 2020, in participating pharmacies.

To measure success in these efforts, Ontario will track progress against the following:

• Faster turnaround time for testing: 80 per cent of test results delivered within 48 hours.
• Maintain test positivity rate under three per cent;
• Ensure sufficient case management and contact tracing capacity to continue reaching 90 per cent of cases within 24 hours; and
• Compliance with public health measures (based on health behaviour surveillance data).

In support of these efforts, the province has also released new testing guidance to help focus public resources on where they are needed the most.

As Ontario works to contain and prevent outbreaks, the province will measure success using the following criteria:

• Rapid containment of outbreaks; and
• Fewer outbreaks in congregate and other high-risk settings, including long-term care homes.

The province’s COVID-19 fall preparedness plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, will help the province quickly identify, prevent and respond to any scenario in order to protect communities.

Protecting Canadians from COVID-19

Over the last six months, Canadians have stood united and strong. Their actions embody what has always been the purpose of the federal government: bringing Canadians together to achieve common goals.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) has been shipped across the country. Members of the Canadian Forces were there in long-term care homes. Close to 9 million Canadians were helped with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and over 3.5 million jobs were supported by the wage subsidy.

The Government will continue to have people’s backs just like Canadians have each other’s backs.

Through the first wave, contact tracing and testing ramped up across the country. The surge this fall further reinforces what we already know – that we must do even more.

The federal government will be there to help the provinces increase their testing capacity. Canadians should not be waiting in line for hours to get a test.

Local public health authorities are the backbone of our nation’s efforts to stop outbreaks before they start. As members of the communities they protect, they know the devastating economic impact a lockdown order can have.

To prevent small clusters from becoming major outbreaks, communities may need to enact short-term closure orders. To make that decision easier for the public health authorities, and to help ease the impact that science- and evidence-based decisions can have on local businesses in the short term, the Government will work to target additional financial support directly to businesses which have to temporarily shut down as a result of a local public health decision.

This will ensure that decisions are made with the health of Canadians as the first priority.

The Government will also continue to work on what communities need more broadly.

Vaccine efforts

In the long run, the best way to end this pandemic is with a safe and effective vaccine.

Canada’s vaccine strategy is all about ensuring that Canadians will be able to get a vaccine once it is ready.

There are many types of potential candidates. Canada is exploring the full range of options. The Government has already secured access to vaccine candidates and therapeutics, while investing in manufacturing here at home. And to get the vaccines out to Canadians once they’re ready, the Government has made further investments in our capacity for vaccine distribution.

From the Vaccine Task Force that provides the best advice on vaccine purchasing and roll-out, to the Immunity Task Force looking at how COVID-19 is affecting vulnerable populations, Canada’s top scientific minds are guiding the Government every step of the way.

Creating jobs

People losing their jobs is perhaps the clearest consequence of the global economic shock that Canadians – like those in other countries – have faced.

The CERB helped people stay healthy at home while being able to keep food on the table.

The CEWS helped people keep their jobs, or be rehired if they had been laid off.

But there is still more to be done.

Unemployment is in the double digits, and underemployment is high.

Women, racialized Canadians, and young people have borne the brunt of job losses.

Canadians need good jobs they can rely on.

To help make that happen, the Government will launch a campaign to create over one million jobs, restoring employment to previous levels. This will be done by using a range of tools, including direct investments in the social sector and infrastructure, immediate training to quickly skill up workers, and incentives for employers to hire and retain workers.

September 23, 2020

Ontario Expands COVID-19 Testing to Pharmacies

Up to 60 Ontario Pharmacies to Offer Testing by Appointment Starting Friday

The Ontario government is providing people with convenient and timely access to free COVID-19 testing at pharmacies in the province. As of Friday, up to 60 pharmacies in Ontario will begin offering testing by appointment only, with further locations coming online in the coming weeks. This initiative will expand testing capacity well beyond the province’s 150 assessment centres.

Pharmacies may choose to provide testing for Ontarians who have no COVID-19 symptoms. Individuals, within provincial testing guidance, will be able to visit select pharmacies by appointment only, and they will be pre-screened and then tested at no charge. When visiting a pharmacy Ontarians should continue to follow COVID-19 public health measures, including wearing a face covering, frequent hand washing, and maintaining physical distance from those outside their household or social circle.

The expansion of COVID-19 testing to pharmacies is part of the province’s comprehensive plan to prepare the health system for a second wave of COVID-19. Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19 will help the province quickly identify, prevent and respond to any scenario in order to protect communities.

The Keeping Ontarians Safe plan will:

• Maintain strong public health measures, including continued expansion of testing and case and contact management;
• Quickly identify, manage and prevent COVID-19 outbreaks;
• Accelerate efforts to reduce health service backlogs;
• Prepare for surges in COVID-19 cases;
• Recruit, retain, train and support health care workers, while also continuing to engage families and caregivers; and
• Implement the largest flu immunization campaign in Ontario’s history.

Given the size and complexity of the Keeping Ontarians Safe plan, the province will continue to release details over the coming days.

In addition, Women’s College, Mount Sinai and University Health Network―Toronto Western Hospital assessment centres will be offering saliva testing this week. More assessment centres will offer this less invasive method in the coming weeks, giving Ontarians more options to access testing for COVID-19.

Update on the new COVID Care site at Ray Friel from Councillor Luloff

Some info received from Councillor Luloff’s office today that might help. The office just confirmed that “every possible area was considered in the east end” before selecting Ray Friel as the best option: “I am emailing this afternoon to provide you with some information from our office regarding the Covid-19 Testing Center that will be opening at the Ray Friel Center in Orleans.Having worked alongside the Montfort Hospital, Ottawa Public Health and City Staff for the last few weeks securing a site suitable for testing in Orléans, the separation of public accessing recreation centre, school and those being tested is a priority consideration for the project team. Great progress is already happening on the project since the announcement on September 21st 2020. Here is what we know:

• Rink 3 of the Ray Friel Rec Complex will become the COVID Testing Centre managed and operated by Hôpital Montfort.
• This location was chosen after evaluating several sites in Orléans based on a number of criteria, such as the need for a safe environment, the size of the available space, the accessibility of the site for people with reduced mobility, the proximity of public transit services, free parking, the scope of the redevelopment work required, rental costs, etc.
• A new door will be added to the Ray-Friel Recreation Complex to allow people who come to the clinic to enter and leave without any contact with people using the other services of the recreation complex, which will remain open. The access to the rest of the complex will be blocked off for patients of the clinic. Even the ventilation system for this skating rink will be independent and completely separate from the rest of the complex.
• Construction has already started• Adults and children as young as six months of age will be able to receive care and be tested for COVID-19
• The site will be operated by staff and physicians from Montfort, as well as primary care physicians.
• City of Ottawa Traffic experts, overseen by the Montfort Hospital project team, will evaluate and review traffic flow and patterns to recommend optimal, safe access.

More details will follow on the planned opening in October, including hours of operations. The objective is to ensure minimal disruption to the school, recreation complex and library. We will use every channel available to support Hôpital Montfort’s communication plan related to the testing site in Orléans.”

September 22, 2020

Ontario Investing to Support Francophone Businesses and Recovery

New Funding of $500,000 for Two New Initiatives in Support of Francophone Businesses and Entrepreneurs

As Ontario prepares to celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day this Friday, September 25, the Ontario government is pleased to announce a new investment of $500,000 to support Franco-Ontarian entrepreneurs and businesses. This investment is part of the government’s priority to promote francophone economic development in the province and builds on extended consultations held with the Franco-Ontarian business community since 2018.

$250,000 will support the creation of a new online platform ― the Francophone Business Network ― that will help businesses share their expertise and best practices and form new strategic partnerships. The remaining $250,000 will fund a campaign focused on promoting Franco-Ontarians products and services.

By bringing together key players of the Franco-Ontarian business community and showcasing their products and services, these two initiatives will help empower francophone businesses across the province.

The Francophone Business Network will connect entrepreneurs and businesses with the goal to create or expand their product lines, services and markets, and to increase their visibility. To set up the Network, the government will issue today a call for proposals targeting francophone organizations known for their expertise and reach out to the francophone business sector in Ontario.

Slated for winter 2021, the promotional campaign will be designed to showcase Franco-Ontarian businesses and encourage Ontarians to buy local products and services.

September 19, 2020

Ontario Limits the Size of Unmonitored and Private Social Gatherings across Entire Province

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Measures Table, is reducing limits on the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings across the entire province. Earlier this week, the government imposed these restrictions in Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa.

The details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

Unmonitored and private social gatherings include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas.

The new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering across the province is:

• 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or
• 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100).

Indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together. Gatherings of 35 (25 outdoors and 10 indoors) are not permitted.

The new limits will not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms, places of worship, recreational sporting or performing art events. Existing rules, including public health and workplace safety measures for these businesses and facilities, continue to be in effect.

To support better compliance with public health guidelines, amendments to the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act would, if passed, establish:

• A new offence regarding hosting or organizing a gathering in residential premises or other prescribed premises that exceeds limits under an order.
• A minimum fine of $10,000 for organizers of these gatherings.
• Authority for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to prescribe additional types of premises for the purpose of the new offence.
• Authority for a police officer, special constable or First Nations constable to order the temporary closure of a premises where there are reasonable grounds to believe that any gathering exceeding the number of people allowed is taking place and require individuals to leave the premises.

It remains critically important for everyone to continue following public health advice. This includes:

• staying home when ill, or keeping your child home from school when ill, even with mild symptoms;
• practising physical distancing with those outside your household or social circle, or at gatherings;
• protecting your social circle;
• wearing a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so;
• washing your hands frequently and thoroughly; and
• adhering to gathering limits and rules.

For additional protection, the Ontario government is encouraging everyone to download the new COVID Alert app on their smart phone from the Apple and Google Play app stores.

September 17, 2020

Ontario Introduces Legislation to Freeze Residential Rent in 2021

 The Ontario government has introduced the Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act that would, if passed, freeze rent in 2021 for most rent-controlled and non-rent-controlled residential units. The bill would provide the vast majority of Ontario’s tenants with financial relief as the province continues down the path of renewal, growth and economic recovery.

The Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act also proposes to change the Commercial Tenancies Act to extend the temporary ban on evictions for commercial tenants. The ban was initially in place from May 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020, to align with the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. This temporary ban would continue to apply to businesses that are eligible for federal-provincial rent assistance through the CECRA for small businesses, but their landlord chose not to apply for the program. The ban will protect small businesses from being locked out or having their assets seized during COVID-19.

This proposed legislation would also create a single register of voters for municipal and provincial elections, which is expected to be more accurate, could mean fewer corrections for voters at polling stations, fewer delays for people on election day, and may reduce costs for municipalities Proposed Bill Would Also Support Small Businesses by Extending the Ban on Commercial Evictions

Extending the ban on commercial evictions would allow Ontario to continue to protect small businesses and help them get back on their feet, so they can create jobs and help rebuild the economy.

Lower Limits for Unmonitored and Private Social Gatherings in Ottawa, Peel and Toronto Regions

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, local medical officers of health and local municipal leaders, the Ontario government has amended order O. Reg 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, setting a new limit reducing the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored social gatherings and organized public events in three regions experiencing higher rates of transmission of COVID-19. This includes functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the amended order will set a new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored social gathering or organized public event in three specific regions to:

• 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or
• 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100).

Indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together. These are not accumulative and gatherings of 35 (25 outdoors and 10 indoors) are not permitted.

The new limits will only apply to persons within the boundaries of the following public health units:

• Ottawa Public Health;
• Peel Public Health; and
• Toronto Public Health.

This amended order will come into effect on September 18 at 12:01am.

The new limits will not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres or banquet halls, gyms, and recreational sporting or performing art events. Existing rules, including public health and workplace safety measures, for these businesses and facilities continue to be in effect. 

It remains critically important for everyone to continue following public health advice. This includes: staying home when ill, or keeping your child home from school when ill, even with mild symptoms; practising physical distancing with those outside your household or social circle, or at gatherings; protecting your circle; wearing a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so; washing your hands frequently and thoroughly; and adhering to gathering limits and rules. For additional protection, the Ontario government is encouraging everyone to download the new COVID Alert app on their smart phone from the Apple and Google Play app stores.

September 16, 2020

Ontario Launches New COVID-19 Screening Tool to Help Protect Students and Staff

The Ontario government launched a new voluntary interactive screening tool to assist parents, students and staff with the daily assessment of COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors that is required before attending school. The results will let parents, students, and education staff know whether they should attend school each day or guide at-risk individuals to proper resources. This tool is another layer of prevention that the province is using to protect the health and safety of students, staff, and the communities where they live and work.

The new easy-to-use tool is voluntary and available for all parents, students and staff to use to help screen for symptoms of illness every day. Users will simply respond to clinician-informed symptom and risk questions, and the tool will then immediately inform users whether it is safe to attend school that day. The tool protects privacy and does not collect any personal health information. The tool was also developed in house by the Ontario Digital Service at no additional cost to taxpayers.

The voluntary screening tool is one of several tools Ontarians should use to stop the spread of COVID-19. Other tools include Ontario’s self-assessment tool, which helps people check whether they have symptoms of COVID-19, and the COVID Alert app, which lets people know if they’ve been exposed to COVID-19—and alert others if they test positive.

September 14, 2020

Health Preparedness and Rebuilding the Economy Top Priorities in Ontario’s Fall Legislative Agenda

Priorities Will Advance the Government’s Plan for Growth, Renewal and Long-Term Recovery

The Ontario government is returning to the legislature today, ready to continue implementing its made-in-Ontario plan for growth, renewal and long-term recovery. The government’s fall legislative agenda will build on the work undertaken over the summer, focusing on job creation, skills training, attracting investment, strengthening communities, and fortifying the front lines of the province’s health care system. 

Priorities for the upcoming session include:

• Investing in Ontario’s health care system to ensure the province is prepared for a potential second wave of COVID-19 and for any future public health challenges;
• Building Ontario’s production capacity for personal protective equipment, ventilators and other medical gear so the province never has to rely on any other jurisdiction again for these critical supplies;
• Protecting families and those most vulnerable and helping them get back on their feet as the province reopens;
• Helping young people and workers receive the skills training they need to join the modern workforce and contribute to the recovery of the province;
• Accelerating the construction of critical highway, transit and broadband infrastructure projects to create jobs and boost the local economies of communities across Ontario;
• Providing relief to Mainstreet Ontario and small business owners so they can recover from the impact of COVID-19 faster and get back to the work of building their business; and
• Expanding manufacturing by creating the conditions to bring investment and jobs to the province and world-class, Ontario-made products to consumers around the world.

A full list of legislation passed during the summer session is available here.

Government Announces Extension of Rent Relief for Small Businesses

September 8, 2020 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, and the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, the Honourable Mary Ng, announced that Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses will be extended by one month to help eligible small businesses pay rent for September. All provinces and territories continue to participate in this initiative and collaborate with the federal government to provide rent supports to those small businesses most in need. Current CECRA application deadlines will also be extended to accommodate this extension.

The government is continuing to process thousands of applications worth hundreds of millions of additional dollars of support. Property owners are encouraged to continue to make use of CECRA for eligible tenants and to work to provide flexibility where possible to their tenants as they recover from the crisis. The federal government also continues to support the provincial banning of commercial evictions during the pandemic.

This will be the final extension of this program as the government explores options to support small businesses as they face the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — including the challenges of fixed costs at a time when health concerns and precautions prevent many businesses from operating at full capacity. The federal government will continue to ensure Canadian small businesses have the support they need.

September 9,2020 Updates

Prime Minister announces support for Black entrepreneurs and business owners

Every day, Black business owners and entrepreneurs make invaluable contributions to communities across the country, and their success is essential to Canada’s economic recovery and future prosperity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated existing systemic barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized business owners in Canada. While we have made progress in advancing equitable access to support and opportunities, much more needs to be done to better help Black business owners and entrepreneurs, and address anti-Black racism.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced investments of up to nearly $221 million in partnership with Canadian financial institutions – including up to nearly $93 million from the Government of Canada over the next four years – to launch Canada’s first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program. This program will help thousands of Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country recover from this crisis and grow their businesses.

The government is committed to working closely with Black business owners and Black-led organizations across Canada so that the new Black Entrepreneurship Program reflects the realities and needs of Black Canadians. The new program builds on the Government of Canada’s work to address systemic racism against Black Canadians. This includes taking steps to advance Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, justice reforms, modern policing structures and standards, and enhanced local community supports for young Black Canadians.

Ontario-Québec Summit Strengthens Ties between the Two Provinces

Governments Agree to Collaborate on Key Priority Areas Including Health Care, Economic Recovery, and Infrastructure Renewal

Today, Premier Doug Ford and Québec Premier François Legault concluded a successful Ontario-Québec Summit, where their governments agreed to collaborate on accelerating economic recovery and job creation, working towards increasing health care funding sustainability and preparedness, and advancing other areas of mutual benefit for the people of Ontario and Québec.

Over the past few months, both provinces have surmounted extraordinary challenges due to COVID-19, from building unprecedented testing capacity to encouraging thousands of Ontario and Québec businesses to retool to make personal protective equipment and critical medical supplies. At the summit, Ontario and Québec agreed to continue their collaboration to share lessons learned from the pandemic and prepare their health care systems for a potential second wave of COVID-19.

The two parties also agreed to collaborate on combatting U.S. protectionism, removing trade barriers, and promoting Ontario-made and Québec-made products to help protect and create more jobs for Ontarians and Quebeckers.

The governments will further work together to develop shared principles on the safe and responsible reopening of the Canada-U.S. border and ensure Ottawa has a clear plan before any restrictions are relaxed.

To continue the extraordinary progress made over the past two days, Premiers Ford and Legault have agreed to convene annual meetings to jointly work on shared priorities and areas of mutual agreement.

Ontario Forced To Pause Reopening Plans

Is Ontario entering the second wave of COVID-19?

Health Minister Christine Elliott made the announcement on Tuesday, saying that the “latest trend in numbers have raised some concern, especially as we begin to reopen schools and post-secondary institutions.”

The province reported 375 new COVID-19 cases over the previous two-day period. The 190 new cases on Monday and 185 on Tuesday were the highest numbers since late July.

The high number of new infections has also forced the provincial government to put a pause on relaxing any public health measures for an additional four weeks. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch said while it’s hard to know exactly where Ontario’s case count will go next it “certainly could be the start of the second wave.”

On Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario isn’t at the point yet where it needs to revert to Stage 2 but he will continue to consult with the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

September 2, 2020 Updates

Ontario Protecting Transit Riders and Workers as Province Reopens

As the province safely and gradually reopens and more people return to work, the Ontario government is partnering with public transit operators across the province to implement measures that will ensure transit workers and passengers can safely and confidently take public transit. The government has distributed comprehensive health and safety guidance documents and is providing significant funding to cover lost revenue, enhanced cleaning and other costs incurred because of COVID-19.

Metrolinx has implemented more than 40 measures to help keep transit workers and passengers safe. These measures include installing seat dividers on GO trains and buses, making face coverings mandatory for staff and passengers, providing hand sanitizer dispensers on every GO bus and at every GO Transit and UP Express station, and installing health kiosks at dozens of stations to provide safety information. Metrolinx is also increasing GO train and bus services beginning September 5, 2020, as more people return to school and work.

These measures follow the comprehensive safety guidance for public transit systems and passengers distributed by the Ministry of Transportation. This guidance, developed in consultation with public health and transit experts, provides transit systems with the information they need to help protect employees and passengers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Ontario and federal governments are providing up to $2 billion to 110 municipalities with transit systems as part of the Safe Restart Agreement. In the first phase, over $660 million in funding will help cover lost revenue and new costs incurred due to COVID-19, including the installation of driver protection barriers and passenger hand sanitizer stations. In addition, the province is providing municipalities with $15 million to cover the cost of enhanced cleaning for their transit systems.

September 1, 2020 Updates

Government announces greater flexibility and extension of Canada Emergency Business Account

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy but they continue to face economic challenges and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, is today announcing that the application deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) is extended from August 31 to October 31, 2020.

Further details on these changes will be released in coming days, including a new business account opening process through which qualifying businesses will be able to apply.

The Deputy Prime Minister is also announcing that the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) is extended to June 2021. Through BCAP, the government is supporting the flow of additional credit that businesses need to maintain operations and keep employees on the payroll. Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will continue to work with lenders to support access to capital for Canadian businesses of all sizes in all sectors and regions.

CEBA and BCAP are both part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which is helping Canadians and businesses deal with the economic impact of the ongoing pandemic. The measures under this plan are helping businesses protect the jobs that Canadians depend on, keep their doors open, and bounce back as the economy gradually recovers.

Associated links

• Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
• More small businesses can soon access the Canada Emergency Business Account
• Prime Minister announces expansion of support for workers and small businesses
• Launch of the Canada Emergency Business Account
• Prime Minister announces additional support for businesses to help save Canadian jobs
• Additional Support for Canadian Businesses from the Economic Impacts of COVID-19
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Additional Support for Canadian Businesses from the Economic Impacts of COVID-19
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and businesses

August 26, 2020 Update

Ontario Releases COVID-19 Management Plan for Schools

As part of Ontario’s plan for students to safely return to the classroom in September, the government has released the Operational Guidance: COVID-19 Management in Schools document. This guide was developed in consultation with public health experts, including Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, and aims to help schools identify and isolate COVID-19 cases, reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools, and prevent and minimize outbreaks.

The guidance document will help school boards and school authorities consistently implement prevention measures, maintain accurate records of staff, students and visitors, work with their local public health units, and take appropriate action when staff, students, or visitors become ill during the school day. It includes detailed instructions for a variety of different scenarios. It also outlines recommendations for what parents should do to support their children.

Key elements of the guidance document explain:

• The role of school boards and schools: keeping communities informed by creating a COVID-19 advisory section on both the board and school’s websites;
• The role of local public health units: leading case and contact tracing activities, declaring outbreaks and directing closure of classrooms or schools where necessary;
• The critical role of parents: screening their children every day before they go to school and keeping them home if they are ill;
• Appropriate steps to take when a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, including notifying the school community while respecting individual privacy; and
• Protocols to trigger various levels of public health responses or infection control measures. One case will trigger a public health response, two or more linked cases will trigger the declaration of an outbreak.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health is also issuing an additional public health guidance, COVID-19 Guidance: School Outbreak Management, for medical officers of health and public health units to support their efforts in investigating cases, outbreaks, and suspected outbreaks in school settings.

The new guidance includes the following:

• A protocol has been developed to deal with students who become ill while they are at school, including isolation, and providing personal protective equipment to the ill student and staff attending to them;
• A clear communications process will be followed, so parents will know if a student or staff member in a school tests positive for COVID-19;
• School boards will be required to work closely with public health units to communicate updates in real time and determine whether a class or school must be closed;
• Led by Ontario Public Health, the government intends to surveillance test asymptomatic secondary students in schools.

On top of hiring more public health nurses for schools, education staff will have completed rigorous professional development on health and safety.

Additional Funds Enhance Ontario’s Robust Back-to-School Plan

Funding will be used to complement provincial health and safety measures already in place

The Ontario government’s back-to-school plan, developed in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and public health officials, is being further enhanced by additional federal investments and resources to support the return to class in the fall. Today’s federal announcement provides $381 million to Ontario, on top of the nearly $900 million provided by the province to support provincial back-to-school plans.

The federal funding will support several priority provincial initiatives: 

Reopening Plan Implementation – $200 million

• $100 million to complement the health and safety components of school reopening plans, in consultation with local public health units, including the hiring of custodians, HVAC, improvements, internet connectivity for students and other local needs.
• $30 million to support additional PPE for schools.
• $70 million for the temporary hiring of educators as required.

Student Transportation – $70 million

• $44.5 million in support of the Driver Retention Program (DRP).
• $25.5 million for route protection and to help reduce the number of students on buses.

Special Education and Mental Health Supports Enhancement – $12.5 million

• Will allow boards to hire and train additional staff and provide more mental health supports for students.

Additional Public Health Nurses – $12.5 million

• Supports up to 125 additional nursing positions in public health units across the province to help schools manage potential COVID-19 cases.

Remote Learning – $36 million

• Ensures that every school board offering virtual learning has a dedicated principal and administrative support for both its secondary and elementary virtual schools. 

The province is also setting aside $50 million for any future pandemic learning needs, to ensure that Ontario is prepared for every scenario this Fall.

Pending federal approvals in December, the Ministry of Education will announce the second half of the payment later this year for the remainder of the school year.

August 25, 2020 Update

Ontario Supports Local Distillery in the Fight Against COVID-19

Homegrown Start-up to Transform a Dairy Byproduct into Alcohol for Hand Sanitizer

The Ontario government is investing $455,000 from the Ontario Together Fund in Dairy Distillery to retool its operations and increase its capacity to manufacture hand sanitizer to help in the response to the fight against COVID-19.

The announcement was made today by Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. 

Through its “buy one to give one” program, Dairy Distillery donated over 30,000 bottles of hand sanitizer to local groups in need. With Ontario’s support, Dairy Distillery will scale up to more than triple production of food-grade ethanol made from milk sugar, which would otherwise go to waste. This milk byproduct and the company’s innovative dairy fermentation technology will be used in making hand sanitizer. The company will also expand its facility and buy equipment to scale up production.

Quick Facts

• The government launched the $50 million Ontario Together Fund to help businesses retool their operations to produce PPE and develop technology-driven solutions and services for businesses to reopen safely.
• Businesses and individuals looking to help in the fight against COVID-19 can submit their proposals through the Ontario Together web portal.
• The Workplace PPE Supplier Directory provides businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers.

August 21, 2020 Update

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Extra 4 weeks available – CERB extended from 24 weeks to 28 weeks for workers who:

• stopped working due to COVID-19 or
• are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or
• have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits or Employment Insurance fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease you back into normal operations.

Ontario Partners with Federal Government and 3M Canada on New N95 Respirator Manufacturing Facility

The Ontario and federal governments are partnering with 3M Canada to expand its Brockville, Ontario manufacturing facility to produce made-in-Ontario N95 respirators. Both levels of government are investing $23.33 million to support 3M’s capital investment of $70 million. The expanded facility will produce enough respirators to meet private sector, provincial and North American market demand throughout the pandemic and beyond.

The Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada reached a five-year agreement with 3M for the provision of 50 million respirators annually beginning in early 2021 to meet current demand for frontline healthcare workers in Ontario and across Canada. The respirators will be shared equally between Ontario and Ottawa.

The partnership between the Ontario government, the federal government and 3M Canada is an important step to meeting current and future needs and ensuring a readily available stockpile of N95 respirators. This investment is essential in the creation of new manufacturing capabilities, new jobs, and a strengthened domestic supply chain for vital PPE as Ontario continues on its path of renewal, growth and economic recovery.

Ontario Expands Indoor Capacity for Meeting and Event Facilities

The Ontario government is safely reopening more of the economy by easing restrictions for facilities that rent out professional meeting and event spaces. Beginning August 21, 2020, facilities can have up to 50 guests for each indoor meeting room or event space within the facility. The facility would have to adhere to a plan approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

The current indoor gathering limit will now apply on a per meeting room or event space basis at professional meeting and event facilities, including convention centres, hotels, motels, resorts, banquet halls and conference centres. Outdoor meeting and event facilities remain subject to the 100-person gathering limit for the entire outdoor area. Capacity limits exclude employees or event personnel. Safely allowing these facilities to host more meetings and events is an important step in Ontario’s economic recovery.

To operate and expand indoor capacity safely during Stage 3 of Ontario’s Framework for Reopening Our Province, convention centres, hoteliers and other associations have helped inform the development of a guidance document, which is the plan approved by the OCMOH. These measures ensure public safety based on public health requirements, operational best practices and industry guidelines prepared by the sector.

Additional Resources

• Guidance for professional meeting and event facilities during COVID-19
• Learn more about Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19.
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

August 20, 2020 Update

Ontario Extends Orders Under the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020

Extensions needed to address ongoing risks of COVID-19 as province reopens

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is extending orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA). The extensions provide the government with the necessary flexibility to address the ongoing risks and effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and ensure important measures remain in place to protect vulnerable populations, such as seniors, people with developmental disabilities and those with mental health and addiction issues.

All orders under the ROA have been extended to September 22, 2020, with the following exceptions:

• The Education Sector order will end on August 31, 2020.
• The Limitation Periods order will end and suspended time periods will resume running on September 14, 2020.

On July 21, 2020, the Ontario Legislature passed the ROA to ensure important measures remained in place to address the sustained threat of COVID-19 once the provincial Declaration of Emergency came to an end. Orders, made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) that were in effect when the ROA came into force, were continued under the new act for an initial 30 days. Under the ROA, orders can be extended for up to 30 days at a time.

The government will continue to review all orders and will report on order extensions to the newly created Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight.

The following orders under the ROA have been extended until September 22, 2020:

• Work Redeployment for Certain Health Service Providers
• Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works
• Electronic Service
• Electricity Price for RPP Consumers
• Work Deployment Measures in Long-Term Care Homes
• Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes
• Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Sales of Necessary Goods
• Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health
• Work Deployment Measures in Retirement Homes
• Service Agencies Providing Services and Supports to Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Service Providers Providing Intervenor Services
• Signatures in Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Use of Force and Firearms in Policing Services
• Temporary Health or Residential Facilities
• Work Deployment Measures for Service Agencies Providing Violence Against Women Residential Services and Crisis Line Services
• Limiting Work to a Single Long-Term Care Home
• Work Deployment Measures for District Social Services Administration Boards
• Deployment of Employees of Service Provider Organizations
• Work Deployment Measures for Municipalities
• Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home
• Work Deployment Measures for Mental Health and Addictions Agencies
• Congregate Care Settings
• Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record
• Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death
• Hospital Credentialing Processes
• Treatment of Temporary COVID-19 Related Payments to Employees
• Management of Long-Term Care Homes in Outbreak
• Management of Retirement Homes in Outbreak
• Special Rules Re: Temporary Pandemic Pay
• Patios
• Enforcement of Orders
• Stages of Reopening
• Rules for Areas in Stage 1
• Rules for Areas in Stage 2
• Rules of Areas in Stage 3

August 19, 2020 Update

Ontario Taking Steps to Improve Service Delivery at Provincial Agencies

New evaluation to focus on improving the customer experience

The Ontario government is reviewing how provincial agencies deliver services with a focus on improving the customer experience, adopting service innovation, offering more services virtually and online, and eliminating redundancies. The evaluation will build on the advancements in digital service delivery made during the pandemic.

Details of the Enhanced Agency Evaluation were announced today by Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board.

The Enhanced Agency Evaluation builds on the recommendations of the 2019 Agency Review Task Force, which addressed inefficiencies while making better use of limited resources. Many of the Agency Review Task Force recommendations have already begun improving service delivery, including:

• Agricorp, a provincial agricultural agency, is developing a new self-serve system that will allow farm owners to register their business and pay fees all through one convenient website.
• The Justices of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee is implementing online applications that will improve the user experience for candidates and help fill vacancies faster.
• The Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal now uses online filing for applications, saving Ontarians, and the agency, time.
• The Ontario Labour Relations Board now delivers video conferencing options so Ontarians can appear at hearings remotely.

Quick Facts

• Provincial agencies such as Ontario Food Terminal Board, TVOntario and the Ontario Parks Board provide a variety of services that help Ontarians buy local, connect with people and enjoy the natural beauty of our province.
• Ontario Health and Public Health Ontario are exempt from the Enhanced Agency Evaluation due to their current roles in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The 2019 Agency Review Task Force was comprised of five members of caucus: MPP Stan Cho (co-chair), MPP Will Bouma (co-chair), MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP Daisy Wai and MPP Billy Pang. Their mandate was to review all provincial agencies for efficiency, effectiveness, governance, sustainability, relevance and value for money.
• Minister Bethlenfalvy is leading a new committee focused on strengthening the work of the Ontario government following the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee will ensure public sector services are customer focused and digital- and data-driven, while increasing the speed of government operations and decisions.

August 17, 2020 Update

Ontario Supporting the Safe Reopening of More Spaces at Gyms and Recreation Centres

Province Also Investing $8 Million to Ensure the Safe Return of Amateur Sports

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is supporting the safe reopening of many sport, fitness and recreation facilities by applying a capacity limit on a per room basis to help more businesses reopen their doors, get more people back to work and promote the return to a healthy and active lifestyle for all Ontarians. Beginning August 15, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., these facilities can have up to 50 patrons for each indoor sport or fitness room, while ensuring physical distancing of at least two metres.

The announcement was made today by Premier Doug Ford and Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.

The revised capacity limits are on a per room basis. They will apply to the gymnasiums, health clubs, community centres, multi-purpose facilities, arenas, exercise studios, yoga and dance studios and other fitness facilities that are able to follow the new guidance. The change was enabled by amendments to the Stage 3 regulation and a new plan and guidance document to apply a per room limit for sport and recreational fitness activities at facilities with the necessary space or layout.

Businesses, not-for-profits, and municipalities may need or choose to take more time before implementing this change in capacity limits. Facilities may also adopt their own protocols that are more restrictive than the guidance. The government will continue to work with sport and recreation organizations across the province on their safe return to sport.

Based on community needs, some municipalities and local medical officers of health have implemented additional restrictions or requirements, such as mandatory face coverings in commercial establishments and indoor public places. Check with your local public health unit’s or local municipality’s website.

August 13, 2020 Update

Ontario Supports Municipalities by Investing in Local Roads and Bridges

Connecting Links Program Will Help Create Jobs and Keep People and Goods Moving

The Ontario government is providing $30 million to municipalities through the Connecting Links Program for 2021-22 to build, repair or replace local roads and bridges. This investment will help create jobs and keep people and goods moving as the province continues to recover from COVID-19.

The announcement was made today by Premier Doug Ford, Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA), and Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

The Connecting Links Program provides funding to eligible municipalities of up to 90 per cent of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $3 million for road projects. In response to municipal feedback, the province is permanently raising the maximum amount of available funding for bridge projects from $3 million to $5 million to reflect the higher costs of maintaining and repairing bridges compared to roads.

Eligible costs include the design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of municipal roads and bridges that connect two ends of a provincial highway through a community or to a border crossing.

“Local bridges and roads are more important than ever for connecting people to jobs and supporting the movement of goods,” said Associate Minister Surma. “By increasing the maximum funding for bridge projects, we are helping municipalities to keep local bridges safe while reducing pressure on local budgets.”

Ontario has 77 municipalities eligible to apply for provincial funding through the Connecting Links Program for 2021-22, comprised of 352 kilometres of connecting links and 70 bridges.

Municipalities can apply online until 5:00 p.m. on November 6, 2020, by visiting the Ministry of Transportation’s Connecting Links page.

August 12, 2020 Update

Ontario Providing Municipalities with up to $1.6 Billion in First Round of Emergency Funding

Assistance Will Help Ensure the Delivery of Critical Public Services During COVID-19

The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, is delivering on its commitment to provide up to $4 billion in urgently needed one-time assistance to Ontario’s 444 municipalities. Municipalities will be provided with up to $1.6 billion as part of the first round of emergency funding under the Safe Restart Agreement. This funding will help municipalities protect the health and well-being of the people of Ontario, while continuing to deliver critical public services, such as public transit and shelters, as the province continues down the path of renewal, growth and economic recovery.

Through the Safe Restart Agreement with the federal government, $695 million will help municipalities address operating pressures related to the COVID-19 pandemic through the first round of emergency funding, and over $660 million will support transit systems. The province is also providing an additional $212 million through the Social Services Relief Fund to help vulnerable people find shelter.

The details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA), and Jim McDonell, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

In Fall 2020, Ontario’s 444 municipalities will receive $695 million in Phase 1 funding to help address municipal operating pressures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will be allocated on a per household basis and would be shared 50/50 between upper- and lower-tier municipalities. Up to $695 million in additional funding will be available through Phase 2 to eligible municipalities after municipalities have provided the province with information on their estimated COVID-19 related financial pressures.

Ontario is also providing municipal service managers and Indigenous housing partners with an additional $212 million under the Social Services Relief Fund to help protect vulnerable people from COVID-19. This investment can help them protect homeless shelter staff and residents, expand rent support programming and create longer-term housing solutions. This brings the government’s total Social Services Relief Fund investment provided to service managers and Indigenous program administrators to $510 million, and builds on the government’s COVID-19 Action Plan to Protect Vulnerable Ontarians.

July 31, 2020 Update

Ontario Implementing Additional Measures at Bars and Restaurants to Help Limit the Spread of COVID-19

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, has amended orders O. Reg 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 and O. Reg. 263/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 2, under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020,implementing additional measures for restaurants, bars, and other food or drink establishments, as the province carefully and gradually reopens.

In order to keep patrons of restaurants, bars, and other food or drink establishments safe, the amended orders will implement the following measures:  

• All patrons will be required to be seated at all times, in both indoor and outdoor areas, with limited exceptions; and
• Bars and restaurants (and also tour boat operators) in Ontario will be required to keep client logs for a period of 30 days and to disclose the client logs to the medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request, which will support case and contact tracing.
• Complementary changes are being made in respect of existing provisions relating to tour operators and tour boat operators.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health and other public health experts continue to closely monitor the evolving situation to advise when public health measures or restrictions can be further loosened or if they need to be tightened.

It remains critically important for everyone to continue following public health advice as more businesses and services reopen in Stage 3. This includes practising physical distancing with those outside your household or social circle, wearing a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so, staying home when ill, and washing your hands frequently and thoroughly.

COVID Alert Available for Download Beginning Today

Both the Federal and Provincial government is encouraging everyone to download the new COVID Alert app on their smart phone from the Apple and Google Play app stores. This app, which is available beginning today, lets users know if they may have been exposed to the virus. It is free, easy and safe to use. The more people who download the app, the more effective it will be in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

The COVID Alert app uses Bluetooth technology to detect when users are near each other. If a user tests positive for COVID-19, they can choose to let other users know without sharing any personal information. Ontarians who receive an exposure alert can then get tested and take action to help keep themselves, their families, and their friends from spreading COVID-19 throughout the community. The app does not collect personal information or health data, and does not know or track the location, name, address, or contacts of any user.

COVID Alert is a key tool to strengthen Ontario’s comprehensive case and contact management strategy, Protecting Ontarians through Enhanced Case and Contact Management. The app supports the efforts of public health units, allowing the province to quickly test, trace and isolate cases of COVID-19 to stop the spread of the virus and prepare for any potential outbreaks ― without sharing any personal information.

If an app user receives a message from COVID Alert that they may have been exposed to the virus, they should follow the public health advice given on the app and get tested. To notify other people if an app user has tested positive for COVID-19, they can enter their one-time key from Ontario’s test results website (Ontario.ca/covidresults) into the app. A message will then be sent to other app users who have been within two metres of them for at least 15 minutes within the past 14 days, without sending any information that identifies the user, or the time and place of exposure.

QUICK FACTS

• COVID Alert is available for free use and download from the Apple and Google Play app stores.
• All aspects of COVID Alert are completely voluntary. Ontarians can choose whether to download the app, whether to use the app after downloading it, and whether to notify others if they test positive for COVID-19.
• COVID Alert does not collect any personal information, health information, or location data. It uses Bluetooth technology to send out encrypted codes to other nearby app users and was built using the Apple/Google framework for exposure notification to ensure that it leverages global best practices to protect privacy.
• COVID Alert is a Digital First Smart Initiative, one of many cross-government projects that focus on better outcomes and improving the customer experience.
• The Government of Canada is also working with the other provinces and territories to get their jurisdictions on board with the app in the coming weeks and months.

July 30, 2020 Update

Ontario Releases Plan for Safe Reopening of Schools in September

The Ontario government is announcing the safe reopening of schools for in-class instruction beginning this September. The government has unveiled a plan that prioritizes the health and safety of students and staff, and provides school boards with unprecedented resources and flexibility, while accommodating regional differences in trends of key public health indicators. This plan was developed in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the COVID-19 Command Table and paediatric experts.

Elementary schools (Kindergarten to Grade 8) will reopen provincewide, with in-class instruction five days a week. Secondary schools with lower risk will reopen with a normal daily schedule, five days a week, while most secondary schools will start the school year in an adapted model of part-time attendance with class cohorts of up to 15 students alternating between attending in-person and online. Students from Grade 4-12 and school staff will be required to wear masks.

Parents will continue to have the option to enroll their children in remote delivery, which respects their fundamental role in making the final determination of whether they feel safe with their children returning to school.

Ontario Continues to Gradually and Safely Reopen Child Care for Working Parents

Today, the Ontario government announced its plan to allow licensed child care centres across Ontario to open at full capacity starting September 1, 2020. This decision was made in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the COVID-19 Command Table. As a result, parents will be able to return to work knowing their children are in a safe and supportive care setting.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres will also be permitted to reopen with in-person programming along with before- and after-school programs for school aged children which will be permitted to operate with standard ratios and maximum group size requirements. All of these programs will be subject to health and safety protocols in order to keep kids safe.

The government will continue to follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the COVID-19 Command Table to ensure the health and safety of the children and staff is never compromised as childcare capacity expands to 100%. The enhanced health and safety procedures that were put in place as part of our re-opening plan, will remain in place, and in some instances strengthened, to protect children, staff and families, including:

• Requiring all child care staff to wear masks at all times, effective September 1;
• Ensuring frequent cleaning of child care centres;
• Screening of children and staff before entering a childcare facility;
• Maintaining attendance records for rigorous contact tracing and coordination with local public health authorities;
• Ensuring frequent hand washing and proper hand hygiene for children and staff; and
• Establishing clear and rigid case management protocols in the event a staff member or child becomes ill, or tests positive for COVID-19.

July 27, 2020 Update

Historic Agreement Delivers up to $4 Billion to Support Municipalities and Transit

The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, is providing up to $4 billion in urgently needed one-time assistance to Ontario’s 444 municipalities. This funding will help local governments maintain the critical services people rely on every day, including public transit, over the next six to eight months. Details on specific allocations will be provided in the coming weeks. 

July 23, 2020 Update

Ontario Announces Five New Ontario Health Teams

In support of the ongoing fight against COVID-19 and as part of the province’s plan to end hallway health care, the Ontario government is announcing five new Ontario Health Teams and is providing additional funding to better connect care.

The five new Ontario Health Teams are:

• Algoma Ontario Health Team in Algoma District;
• Niagara Ontario Health Team in Niagara Region;
• Ottawa East Ontario Health Team in Eastern Ottawa, Eastern Champlain and a certain portion of Ottawa Centre, offering services in both official languages;
• Western Ontario Health Team in London-Middlesex; and
• Western York Region Ontario Health Team in Vaughan, Richmond Hill and King City.

Ontario Health Teams bring together health care providers to work as one team to improve patient outcomes. Through an Ontario Health Team, patients will experience easier transitions from one provider to another, including, for example, between hospitals and home care providers, with one patient story, one patient record and one care plan. Patients and families will also have access to 24/7 navigation and care coordination services.

The province is also investing up to $25.25 million to directly support the 29 approved Ontario Health Teams. Of this funding, $9.5 million will be dedicated to virtual care, which will provide more support for vulnerable populations and individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. With the remaining $15.75 million, each Ontario Health Team will receive up to $375,000, to be used for:

• Expanding digital care, including training, education and purchasing new tools and technology for virtual visits, booking online appointments and patient portals;
• Dedicated human resources to help develop and implement this new model of care, including more collaborative responses to COVID-19; and
• Purchasing business information tools to measure the performance and outcomes of the Ontario Health Team model.

July 22, 2020 Update

Emergency Measures Passed to Protect the Public and Prepare for Economic Recovery

The Ontario Legislature adjourned after an unprecedented session that saw cross-partisan collaboration in the fight against COVID-19. Since reconvening in February, the legislature passed 18 pieces of legislation, including emergency measures needed to protect public health and prepare for economic recovery. The legislature has now risen until September 14, 2020.

After authorizing safe, limited sittings of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to allow for the passage of emergency legislation and in cooperation with the opposition parties and independent Members, the government charted a path to the responsible resumption of legislative business in May. The resumption of business facilitated the passage of 18 important pieces of legislation, including the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 and the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020.

The Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 ensures important measures remain in place to address the threat of COVID-19 once the provincial declaration of emergency has ended. These measures will provide the province with the necessary flexibility to address the ongoing risks and effects of the COVID-19 outbreak as Ontario moves towards recovery. The Act will come into force on July 24, 2020 to coincide with the termination of the declared provincial emergency.

The COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 will help create jobs and generate development by getting key infrastructure projects built faster. It will also strengthen communities by ensuring municipalities are equipped with the tools they need to continue to provide critical services, along with protecting consumers, modernizing services, improving the education system and removing social and economic barriers for young people.

Additional emergency legislation introduced and passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes:

• Economic and Fiscal Update Act, 2020: The government’s first steps in its response to COVID-19 were set out in the March economic and fiscal update, which included $7 billion in additional resources for the healthcare system and direct support for students, families and seniors, and made available $10 billion for people and businesses through interest and penalty relief measures and other deferrals to improve their cash flow, protecting jobs and household budgets.
• COVID-19 Response and Reforms to Modernize Ontario Act, 2020: Legislative changes that made it easier for people to conduct business and practise physical distancing by providing Ontario corporations temporary flexibility to hold meetings virtually, defer certain annual meetings and allow the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services to accept copies of documents, electronic signatures on documents, and electronic filing of documents.
• COVID-19 Support & Protection Act, 2020: The second phase of the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included temporary relief for repayment of student loans, extending expiring development charge by-laws, suspending time limits for planning matters, and extending deadlines for municipal Community Safety Plans.
• Protecting Small Business Act, 2020: To support small businesses that experienced a significant decline in revenue during COVID-19, the government temporarily halted or reversed evictions of commercial tenants and protected them from being locked out or having their assets seized if they are eligible for federal/provincial rent assistance.

Another 33 new COVID-19 cases in Ottawa

The number of new COVID-19 cases being reported in Ottawa is making up 20 per cent of all new cases in Ontario, Wednesday.

Minister of Health Christine Elliott says there are 165 new cases in the province and 33 of those positive tests came from Canada’s capital. Other hot spots for the virus include the Peel region with 25 and Windsor-Essex with 39.

Yesterday, a spike of 43 new cases was reported in Ottawa, making up almost a quarter of the province’s new case total.

July 21, 2020 Update

Ottawa up to 159 active COVID-19 cases after spike of positive tests

Ontario’s minister of health called out Ottawa on Tuesday, as its 43 new cases made up nearly a quarter of all new cases across the province.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) now knows of 159 active COVID-19 cases in the city following a single-day jump of 43 positive test results.

Tuesday’s numbers show that Ottawa has seen 2,287 lab-confirmed cases of the virus to date, with a resolve rate of 81.5 per cent.

July 17, 2020 Update

Redesigned Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) protects jobs by helping businesses keep employees on the payroll and encouraging employers to re-hire workers previously laid off. Since its launch, about 3 million Canadian employees have had their jobs supported through the CEWS, and that number continues to grow.

Today the Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, announced proposed changes to the CEWS that would broaden the reach of the program and provide better targeted support so that more workers can return to their jobs quickly as the economy restarts. This support would continue to protect jobs and help Canadian businesses that are the most impacted.

Today’s proposed changes included in the Government’s draft legislative proposals would:

• Allow the extension of the CEWS until December 19, 2020, including redesigned program details until November 21, 2020.
• Make the subsidy accessible to a broader range of employers by including employers with a revenue decline of less than 30 per cent and providing a gradually decreasing base subsidy to all qualifying employers. This would help many struggling employers with less than a 30-per-cent revenue loss get support to keep and bring back workers, while also ensuring those who have previously benefited could still qualify, even if their revenues recover and no longer meet the 30 per cent revenue decline threshold.
• Introduce a top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25 per cent for employers that have been most adversely affected by the pandemic. This would be particularly helpful to employers in industries that are recovering more slowly.
• Provide certainty to employers that have already made business decisions for July and August by ensuring they would not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have had under the previous rules.
• Address certain technical issues identified by stakeholders.

These proposed changes follow consultations with business and labour representatives on potential adjustments to the CEWS program aimed at ensuring that it continues to protect jobs and promote growth.

The CEWS was put in place for an initial 12-week period from March 15 to June 6, 2020, providing a 75-per-cent wage subsidy to eligible employers. On May 15, the Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, announced that the Government of Canada would extend the CEWS by an additional 12 weeks to August 29, 2020.  Today’s proposed changes would further extend the program until November 21, 2020, with the intent to provide further support until December 19, 2020.

In order to implement the measures included in today’s announcement, the Government of Canada intends to introduce legislation to be considered by Parliament, and has shared draft legislative proposals.

July 16, 2020 Update

Ontario Extends Emergency Orders

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has extended most emergency orders currently in force under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) until July 29, 2020. Keeping the emergency orders in place provides the government with the necessary flexibility to ensure the protection of vulnerable populations, such as seniors, while continuing to implement its Framework for Reopening the Province with many regions entering Stage 3 on Friday.

On July 7, 2020, the Government of Ontario introduced the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 that would, if passed, ensure important measures remain in place to address the threat of COVID-19 once the provincial Declaration of Emergency has ended.The extension of these emergency orders under the EMCPA would allow orders that remain essential to be continued under the proposed legislation, if pas sed. The government continues to review emergency orders currently in place to determine when and if they can be safely eased or lifted.

The following orders under s.7.0.2 (4) of the EMCPA are extended until July 29, 2020:

• Work Redeployment for Certain Health Service Providers
• Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works
• Electronic Service
• Work Deployment Measures in Long-Term Care Homes
• Electricity Price for RPP Consumers
• Rules for Areas in Stage 1
• Traffic Management
• Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes
• Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Sales of Necessary Goods
• Enforcement of Orders
• Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health
• Work Deployment Measures in Retirement Homes
• Service Agencies Providing Services and Supports to Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Service Providers Providing Intervenor Services
• Pickup and Delivery of Cannabis
• Signatures in Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Use of Force and Firearms in Policing Services
• Agreements Between Health Service Providers and Retirement Homes
• Temporary Health or Residential Facilities
• Work Deployment Measures for Service Agencies Providing Violence Against Women Residential Services and Crisis Line Services
• Limiting Work to a Single Long-Term Care Home
• Work Deployment Measures for District Social Services Administration Boards
• Deployment of Employees of Service Provider Organizations
• Work Deployment Measures for Municipalities
• Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home
• Work Deployment Measures for Mental Health and Addictions Agencies
• Congregate Care Settings
• Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record
• Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death
• Hospital Credentialing Processes
• Education Sector
• Management of Long-Term Care Homes in Outbreak
• Management of Retirement Homes in Outbreak
• Special Rules Re: Temporary Pandemic Pay
• Rules for Areas in Stage 2
• Patios

July 15, 2020 Update

Temporary Mandatory Mask By-law Approved

The Temporary Mandatory Mask By-law requiring that masks be worn in certain enclosed public spaces to limit the spread of COVID-19 was proposed and approved at City Council on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. The by-law takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until the next regularly scheduled meeting of Council, which is currently scheduled for August 26, 2020. At that time, depending on the situation in Ottawa, Council may choose to extend the by-law.

Where do I have to wear a mask?

We must wear a mask in “enclosed public spaces” such as:

• Restaurants, cafés, cafeterias, banquet halls
• Retail establishments and shopping malls
• Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples or other places of worship
• Libraries, museums, art galleries, recreational facilities, BINGO halls, cinemas, theatres, concert venues, special event venues, convention centres or other similar entertainment, cultural or leisure facility.
• Sports facilities, sports clubs, gyms, yoga studios, dance studios and stadiums
• Hotels, motels and short term rentals
• Premises under the control of a regulated health professional
• Hospitals and independent health facilities
• Temporary facilities such as construction trailers and temporary sales offices
• Municipal facilities such as City Hall, recreational facilities, parks building, client service centres, indoor parking
• Other businesses that are permitted to operate in accordance with the Emergency Orders passed by the Province of Ontario

Exemptions

• A child younger than 2, or a child younger than 5 chronologically or developmentally who refuses to wear a mask and cannot be persuaded by the caregiver.
• A person with a medical condition including breathing or cognitive difficulties, or a disability that prevent them from safely wearing a mask.
• A person who is unable to put on or remove their mask without the assistance of another person.
• A person who temporarily needs to remove their mask while in an enclosed space for the purposes of:
  • Receiving services that require the removal of the mask
  • Actively engaging in an athletic or fitness activity including water based activities, including lifeguards working at indoor pools
  • Consuming food or drink
  • An emergency or medical purpose
• A person who is employed or an agent of the Operator of an Enclosed Public Space is not obligated to wear a mask while:
  • In an area not designated for public access
  • Located within or behind a physical barrier such as plexiglass

The following are NOT considered an Enclosed Public Space for the purposes of this by-law:

• schools
• childcare centres and providers
• portions of buildings that are being used for the purpose of providing day camps
• offices of professional service providers such as lawyers and accountants where clients receive services in areas not open to the general public
• Public Transit Properties, which are separately regulated under Section 5 of this by-law.

Business Owner Responsibilities

• Ensure that every person who is not wearing a Mask while in the premises is provided with a verbal reminder to do so as soon as practicable following entry, and if applicable, of the exemptions.
• Post signage with the following messaging at every public entrance to the business:
  • All persons entering or remaining in these premises must wear a mask that covers the nose, mouth, and chin as required under City of Ottawa By-law 2020-186.
  • Toutes les personnes qui entrent ou restent dans ces locaux doivent porter un masque qui couvre le nez, la bouche et le menton, comme l’exige le règlement 2020-186 de la Ville d’Ottawa.
• Ensure there is alcohol-based hand rub at all public entrances and exits of the business.

Offences and penalties

The goal is to educate and not issue fines. However, the By-law does allow for penalties if required.

• Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this by-law is guilty of an offence.
• Any person who hinders or obstructs a person lawfully carrying out the enforcement of this by-law is guilty of an offence.
• Every person who is convicted of an offence under this by-law is liable to a minimum fine not exceeding $500 and to a maximum fine not exceeding $100,000 for each day that the offence occurs or continues.
• The total of all daily fines for the offence is not limited to $100,000
• When a person has been convicted of an offence under this by-law, the Ontario Court of Justice or any court of competent jurisdiction may, in addition to any penalty imposed on the person convicted, issue an order
  • prohibiting the continuation or repetition of the offence by the person convicted
  • requiring the person convicted to correct the contravention in the manner and within the period that the court considers appropriate.

For more information on the By-law, please see the Temporary Mandatory Mask By-law itself and for more information on the importance of masks please see Ottawa Public Health.

July 13, 2020 Update

Nearly All Businesses and Public Spaces to Reopen in Stage 3

The Ontario government announced nearly all businesses and public spaces will reopen in Stage 3 of the province’s reopening framework with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place.

Ottawa Public Health region is allowed to move into Stage 3 on Friday, July 17, 2020.

As part of the Stage 3 reopening, Ontario will be increasing gathering limits for those regions entering the next stage to the following:

• Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people;
• Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people;
• Gathering limits are subject to physical distancing requirements.

Public gathering limits apply to indoor and outdoor events, such as community events or gatherings, concerts, live shows, festivals, conferences, sports and recreational fitness activities, fundraisers, fairs, festivals or open houses. A two metre distance must still be maintained at such events.

Regions remaining in Stage 2 will maintain the existing gathering limit of 10. Social circles in all stages at this point will also be kept to a maximum of 10 people province-wide, regardless of stage.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health, public health experts and other officials have advised the following, high-risk places and activities are not yet safe to open, even if a region has entered Stage 3, due to the likelihood of large crowds congregating, difficulties with physical distancing, or challenges maintaining the proper cleaning and sanitation required to prevent the spread of COVID‑19:

• Amusement parks and water parks;
• Buffet-style food services;
• Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment following specific requirements;
• Overnight stays at camps for children;
• Private karaoke rooms;
• Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports;
• Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars;
• Table games at casinos and gaming establishments.

For more information on the restrictions that will remain in place during Stage 3, as well as the public health guidance necessary to keep the people of Ontario safe, visit Ontario.ca/reopen.

Federal Wage Subsidy Extended to December

PM Trudeau has said that the federal government is extending its wage subsidy program until December. The Federal Wage Subsidy subsidizes wages in companies hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is meant to to help Canadians get back to work and ensure employers stay tied to their employees during closures.

As of July 6, the wage subsidy had paid out $18.01 billion to 252,370 companies in payroll help. The government’s fiscal and economic “snapshot” last week boosted the budget of the wage subsidy program to $82.3 billion, in a sign of impending changes.

July 9, 2020 Update

Ontario Extends Emergency Orders

The Ontario government, in consultation with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, has extended all emergency orders currently in force that were made under s.7.0.2(4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to July 22, 2020. The extension was made to ensure the province maintains the necessary flexibility to protect public health and safety as more businesses reopen and people go back to work.

The extension of the emergency orders will help protect vulnerable people, such as seniors, by allowing the redeployment of frontline staff in long-term care facilities, retirement homes and other congregate care settings, like women’s shelters and residential services. In addition, the extension would allow public health units to redeploy or hire staff to support case management and contact tracing.

The government intends to extend emergency orders to align with the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, if passed. This proposed legislation is part of the government’s plan to cautiously reopen Ontario in a way that recognizes the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 even after the provincial declaration of emergency has ended. The bill, if passed, would allow Ontario to continue its path to recovery by easing restrictions where appropriate, while maintaining important select tools to address the ongoing threat of this deadly virus and protect Ontarians.

A full list of emergency orders can be found on the e-Laws website under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and at Ontario.ca/alert.

July 8, 2020 Update

Federal Government presented an economic and fiscal snapshot.

Today, Finance Minister Bill Morneau presented an economic and fiscal snapshot. The COVID-19 crisis is the challenge of our generation. The Government of Canada has responded with rapid and broad-based emergency support measures to protect the health and economic well-being of Canadians.

While the toll of COVID-19 on the broader economy in 2020 is expected to be the largest and most sudden economic contraction since the Great Depression, measures to flatten the pandemic curve in Canada are paying off, and efforts are underway across the country to safely and gradually reopen the Canadian economy. The actions and investments of governments across Canada to date have helped us get this far. But the road towards recovery remains long and uncertain. Today, and in the months to come, our economic health will largely depend on our public health.

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan is ensuring Canadians have the support they need to put food on the table and keep a roof over their head. Representing nearly 14 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP), the Plan includes more than $230 billion in measures to protect the health and safety of Canadians and provide direct support to Canadians, businesses and other employers, and up to $85 billion in tax and customs duty payment deferrals to meet liquidity needs of businesses and Canadian families.

With comparatively low levels of debt, the Government of Canada has the room to borrow and support the Canadian economy. In fact, even given Canada’s increased borrowing needs due to the COVID-19 response, public debt charges are expected to fall in 2020-21, as a result of historically low borrowing rates.

Ontario Starting Down the Path to Growth, Renewal and Economic Recovery

Today, the province introduced the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, proposed legislation that lays the foundation to restart jobs and development, strengthen communities, and create opportunity for people in every region of the province. 

If passed, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act will:

• Restart jobs and development to get Ontario’s economic engine roaring again by getting key infrastructure projects built faster, attracting more jobs and investment, and cutting red tape to help businesses adapt to the new environment.
• Strengthen communities by ensuring municipalities are equipped with the tools they need to continue to provide the critical services people rely on every day, including allowing municipalities and their local boards to continue to choose to hold meetings electronically at any time and putting in place a new community benefits charge to help municipalities pay for the infrastructure and services needed for growing communities.
• Create opportunity for people as they recover their lives and livelihoods by protecting consumers, modernizing services, improving the education system and removing the social and economic barriers that stand in the way of success for young people.

July 7, 2020 Update

Ontario Introduces Legislation to Protect Public Health as Economy Reopens

Today, the Ontario government introduced proposed legislation that, if passed, would give the province the necessary flexibility to address the ongoing risks and effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. The proposed legislation is part of the government’s plan for the continued safe and gradual reopening of the province once the declaration of emergency ends.

The Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 would, if passed, ensure important measures remain in place to address the threat of COVID-19 once the provincial declaration of emergency has ended. Specifically, the legislation would:

• Continue emergency orders in effect under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) under the new legislation for an initial 30 days.
• Allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council to further extend these orders for up to 30 days at a time, as required to keep Ontarians safe.
• Allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council to amend certain emergency orders continued under the EMCPA if the amendment relates to:
  • labour redeployment or workplace and management rules;
  • closure of places and spaces or regulation of how businesses and establishments can be open to provide goods or services in a safe manner;
  • compliance with public health advice; or
  • rules related to gatherings and organized public events.
• Not allow new emergency orders to be created.
• Allow emergency orders to be rescinded when it is safe to do so.

The ability to extend and amend orders under the new legislation would be limited to one year, unless extended by the Ontario legislature. Appropriate oversight and transparency would be ensured through regular, mandated reporting that provides the rationale for the extension of any emergency order. The legislation would include the same types of provisions on offences and penalties as set out under the EMCPA to address non-compliance with orders.

QUICK FACTS

• The termination of the provincial emergency declaration under the EMCPA, or the passage of the proposed Act, would not preclude a head of council of a municipality from declaring under the EMCPA that an emergency exists in any part of the municipality or from continuing such a declaration.
• The termination of the provincial emergency declaration under the EMCPA, or the passage of the proposed Act, would not preclude the exercise of the powers under the Health Protection and Promotion Act by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health or local medical officers of health.
• The Government of Ontario declared a provincial declaration of emergency under s.7.0.1 of the EMCPA on March 17, 2020. The declaration has been extended under s.7.0.7 of the EMCPA and is in place until July 15, 2020, allowing the province to continue to make new emergency orders or amend existing orders under the EMCPA until that date.
• On June 26, 2020, emergency orders then in effect that were made under section 7.0.2 of the EMCPA were extended to July 10.
• A full list of current emergency orders in effect under the EMCPA can be found on the e-Laws website under the EMCPA and at Ontario.ca/alert.

July 6, 2020 Update

Ottawa Public Health is mandating the use of masks in many indoor public spaces 

Effective, July 7, 2020 as of 12:01 am Dr.Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health for Ottawa Public Health has instructed every Operator of an Enclosed Public Space within the City of Ottawa to: 

1. Adopt a policy to ensure that no member of the public is permitted to enter or remain in the public areas of the Enclosed Public Space unless he or she is wearing a mask in a manner that covers their nose, mouth and chin. 
2. Those exempt from wearing a mask are: 
   • Children under two years of age, or children under the age of five years either chronologically or developmentally who refuse to wear a mask and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver; 
   • Individuals with medical conditions rendering them unable to safely wear a Mask, including breathing difficulties or cognitive difficulties;  
   • Individuals who are unable to apply or remove a mask without assistance, including those who are accommodated under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or who have protections under the Ontario Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c.H.19, as amended; 
   • A person who is employed by or is an agent of the Operator of an Enclosed Public Space and: 
     • is in an area of the premises that is not designated for public access, or  
     • is within or behind a physical barrier (e.g., Plexiglass). 
3. Ensure the availability of alcohol-based hand rub at all entrances and exits for the use of all persons entering or exiting the establishment. 

Please see the full Instruction Letter to Businesses and Operators for more detailed information.  

July 3, 2020 Update

Prime Minister to hold virtual Cabinet retreat

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will hold a virtual Cabinet retreat and a Cabinet meeting next week.

During the retreat, the Prime Minister and ministers will discuss how we move forward and continue to take concrete actions needed to fight racism in Canada, prepare for a potential second wave of COVID-19, and safely restart the economy.

As the Government of Canada continues to address the health, safety, and economic impacts of COVID-19, the retreat is an opportunity to continue our work to gradually and safely restart our economy in a way that benefits all Canadians, and look at how we can make our country more resilient to future waves of the virus. The government will also look at ways to better address discrimination and systemic racism in our institutions, because we know that there is still a lot of work to do to make this country fairer and more equal for everyone.

The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous peoples, racialized Canadians, stakeholders, and Canadian businesses on these and other important issues.

Ontario Launches Online Training to Promote Safe Workplaces

As the province safely and gradually reopens, the Ontario government is investing $3 million to provide free online health and safety training for the first time. These virtual courses will make it easier for job seekers and workers to get essential qualifications, while practising physical distancing and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Up to 100,000 job seekers can now take free online workplace health and safety training through Employment Ontario. There are 10 courses on offer, which include topics such as infection control, conducting health and safety incident investigations, ladder safety, slips, trips and falls prevention, and preventing workplace violence and harassment. Job seekers should contact an Employment Ontario service provider in their area to enroll.

In addition, worker and employer members of Joint Health and Safety Committees can now use video conferencing to take training in real-time with qualified instructors from training providers approved by Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer. The training includes sessions on how to establish a Health and Safety Committee, resolving health and safety issues, workplace inspections, and accident investigations.

Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer is extending the time for completion of refresher training for more than 8,000 certified committee members whose certification would have expired between February 28 and August 31, 2020. They have until November 30, 2020 to renew their training, which will be easier thanks to new online options.

Canadian Armed Forces Depart Ontario Long-Term Care Homes

The Ontario government expressed its gratitude to members of the Canadian Armed Forces who went above and beyond the call of duty to temporarily support high-priority long-term care homes during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. The final team concludes its work today.  

Under Operation LASER, the Canadian Armed Forces deployed teams consisting of nurses, medical technicians and additional personnel. They have been working in Ontario long-term care homes since April providing staffing support and helping with infection prevention and control, and other duties such as cleaning and food preparation.

In May, the Ontario government responded immediately to the findings of the Canadian Armed Forces report. The Ministry of Long-Term Care has been addressing issues around infection control, standards of practice/quality of care, supplies, local practices, communication, staffing and inappropriate behaviour.

The government recently announced the launch of an independent, non-partisan commission into Ontario’s long-term care system beginning in July 2020. Details of the commission are now being finalized, including the terms of reference, membership, leadership of the commission and reporting timelines.

July 2, 2020 Update

Ontario Provides Additional Funding to Support Municipalities and Urban Indigenous Community Partners

The Ontario government is providing municipalities and urban Indigenous community partners with an additional $150 million to continue to protect vulnerable people from COVID-19 by improving homeless shelters and creating opportunities for longer-term housing. This investment more than doubles the funding currently flowing to local municipal service managers and urban Indigenous program administrators through the Social Services Relief Fund.

Municipalities and urban Indigenous community partners will be able to use this funding for long-term, innovative housing solutions resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. They can renovate shelters or purchase new facilities that will help with physical distancing in the short term and support longer-term, more sustainable solutions to homelessness. In addition, this funding could also be used to provide vulnerable people with food, shelter and supplies.

Ontario Marks Historic Implementation of New North American Trade Agreement

Today, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade issued the following statement on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA):

“The Ontario government welcomes the implementation of this important trade agreement and looks forward to the greater certainty it provides to help businesses grow and protect jobs across the continent.

Nearly one in five Ontario jobs depend on trade, and approximately $400 billion CAD in two-way trade in goods travels across the U.S. and Canadian border in Ontario every year. We know that ensuring strong trade ties is vital to businesses and the communities they support on both sides of the border.

The economic impact of COVID-19 has demonstrated the need to continue forging mutually beneficial partnerships and ensure Ontario businesses have access to the world’s markets. The joint relationship between Ontario and the U.S. has always been strong, and as we proceed on our path to economic recovery it has never been more important to strengthen this relationship for the benefit of businesses, workers, and consumers in both jurisdictions.

Our government will continue to support Ontario businesses and Ontario workers, including our aluminum and steel industry, farmers and our vital agri-food sector. The strength of our trading relationship will be integral for these industries over the coming months, and we will continue to take decisive action to put us in a position to reduce risks and provide the fiscal certainty that will see our economies recover faster. Strengthening our unique trading partnership will only ensure that everyday consumers, workers, and businesses can emerge from this period of economic uncertainty in a position of strength.

July 1, 2020 Update

Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister on the entry-into-force of the new NAFTA

Canada Day marked the entry-into-force of the new NAFTA – an agreement that preserves jobs and prosperity for people in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Thanks to our Team Canada approach, we secured an agreement that’s good for Canadian workers, businesses, and families across the country.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, today issued the following statement on the entry-into-force of the new NAFTA:

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I welcome the entry-into-force of the new NAFTA on July 1. This agreement, the result of extensive negotiations over the past three and a half years, is an essential pillar in preserving free and fair trade in North America.

“The new NAFTA protects jobs and prosperity for workers in all three NAFTA countries. It is good for Canada and good for Canadian workers. It will help ensure that North America emerges stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The new NAFTA preserves the important benefits of NAFTA, modernizes the agreement, and makes it easier for Canadian companies to benefit from preferential access to the U.S and Mexican markets.
• In particular, the new agreement:
  • safeguards more than $2-billion a day in cross-border trade and tariff-free access for 99.9 per cent of Canada’s U.S.-bound exports. It will preserve tariff-free access to our largest trading partner, supporting hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs, now and into the future.
  • preserves crucial cross-border auto supply chains, and provides an incentive to produce vehicles in Canada.
  • retains and strengthens fair and impartial dispute settlement process for trade remedies that forestry workers have long relied on to protect their livelihoods from unjust trade actions.
  • preserves NAFTA’s cultural exception, which helps safeguard more than 650,000 jobs in cultural industries.
  • contains ambitious and enforceable labour obligations to protect workers from discrimination in the workplace, in particular on the basis of gender. The enforceable labour chapter levels the playing field for Canadian workers.
  • enshrines enforceable standards for clean air and marine pollution through a strengthened environment chapter.
  • removes the investor-state dispute resolution system, which has allowed large corporations to sue the Canadian government for regulating in the public interest. Known as ISDS, this has cost Canadian taxpayers more than $275 million in penalties and legal fees.
  • eliminates a proportionality clause that raised concerns for some Canadians regarding energy sovereignty and security. This provides additional security for Canada’s resource producers and workers that decisions on the future of their sector will be made by Canadians.

June 30, 2020 Update

Federal Government Announces Extension of Rent Relief Program for Small Businesses

Today, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced that the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) will be extended by one month to cover eligible small business rents for July.

In addition, to simplify the application process for all applicants, the government is removing the requirement to claw-back insurance proceeds and provincial rent supports from the CECRA forgivable loan amount for both existing and new applicants. Existing applicants who are affected will be notified and will have any previously clawed-back amounts restored to their forgivable loan.

The government has agreed with all provinces and territories to implement the one month extension. This will provide important relief for small businesses that continue to experience financial hardship, and also allow property owners to maintain rental income and keep tenants in their commercial properties as the economy gradually restarts. Applications will continue to be processed through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation website  (CMHC).

Canada Extends Mandatory Requirements Under the Quarantine Act for Anyone Entering Canada

Today, the Government of Canada extended the Emergency Order requirements related to mandatory isolation and quarantine until August 31, 2020, for travellers entering Canada. Anyone entering Canada—whether by air, land or sea—will continue to be required to isolate for 14 days if they have COVID-19, or have reasonable grounds to suspect that they have signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or quarantine for 14 days if they do not have signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The Order also clarifies when travellers are required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering. This includes a new requirement for individuals who are otherwise exempt from quarantine to wear a non-medical mask or face covering when in public settings if physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Border measures prohibiting foreign nationals from entering Canada from any country other than the United States subject to certain limited exceptions—which are generally not applicable for optional or discretionary purposes, such as tourism, recreation and entertainment—have also been extended until July 31, 2020.

Border measures restricting all non-essential travel, including tourism and recreation, across the Canada-US border remain in effect until July 21, 2020.

A word from Mayor Jim Watson

Friday, June 19, marked 100 days since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic – a first since the organization’s inception in 1948. On the same day, March 11, Ottawa Public Health confirmed the presence of COVID-19 in the community. And on March 17, Premier Doug Ford declared a State of Emergency in the Province of Ontario.

In the blink of an eye, the people of Ottawa were presented with one of the most significant challenges in a generation. Life as we knew it changed as cities, towns and villages across Canada shut down. Businesses closed their doors, causing an unprecedented economic downturn. Residents were confined to their homes without knowing what the future held.

It was clear that the city needed to act quickly to protect residents from COVID-19. In response, staff and resources were quickly redeployed to provide for our community’s critical needs. We expanded online and remote services to continue serving our residents while much of the city’s workforce continued to deliver services in the field or from home.
The response to the pandemic in our nation’s capital has been tremendous due in large part to the phenomenal work of the staff at Ottawa Public Health and our local health partners who have been working around the clock to keep our residents safe.

In a short period of time, the Champlain Health Region Incident Command (CHRIC), in collaboration with OPH, opened an assessment centre that has so far seen more than 30,000 people present for testing. Shortly thereafter, two care clinics were opened to take some of the pressure off emergency rooms and family medicine clinics.
Of course, our ability to flatten the curve ultimately rests in your hands, Ottawa, and you have risen to the challenge. Since the people of our city have been so patient and respectful of public health guidelines, the province has given Ottawa the green light to move to Stage 2 of the provincial reopening plan. This has allowed us to gradually reopen the local economy and resume some of our municipal programs. Ottawa was the largest municipality in Ontario to be allowed to move to Stage 2 of reopening. Your efforts to flatten the curve are the reason we made it here.

Stage 2 has allowed many small businesses, like restaurant patios and barbershops, to serve patrons once again. New guidelines and measures have been put into place to ensure the safety of all employees and clients.
Supporting our local businesses has been a significant priority for the city. The health of our economy and of our community goes hand in hand. To support businesses, we created an Economic Partners Task Force to provide us with “on the ground” feedback from the business community as the pandemic evolved. The city has also put in place a property tax deferral program and created a Business Reopening Toolkit that provides advice and guidance on how to safely reopen.

While we have moved one step closer to a new normal, we need to remind the residents of Ottawa that COVID-19 has not gone away – the virus is still present in our community and we need to be COVIDwise. It is vital that as we continue to gradually reopen we remember what got us to this point.

We must all remain vigilant and continue to follow public health guidelines: staying at home when sick; practicing physical distancing; wearing cloth masks on public transit and when physical distancing is not possible; and washing your hands frequently.

And tens of thousands of residents who are not yet back at work need our support so that we can move on to the next phase of reopening as safely as possible.

There is no doubt that these past few months have been some of the most challenging times for our city. Since Day 1, we’ve witnessed incredible acts of kindness, such as neighbours picking up groceries for their sick or elderly neighbours, people sewing hundreds of cloth masks for those in need or a young girl donating all the savings in her piggy bank to her local food cupboard. Throughout this period, we’ve been constantly reminded of the generosity and kindness of the people of Ottawa.

It has been just over 100 days. To some, this may already feel like too many. Rest assured, if we continue to support each other and work together to combat this pandemic, the people of Ottawa will come out of it stronger than ever.

Ontario Encourages Support of Local Small Businesses

The Ontario Government is celebrating International Small Business Week with the launch of the “Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence!” campaign, encouraging Ontarians to support their local small businesses and to shop safely while doing so.

The province’s campaign asks for mayors, local leaders and groups to support our small businesses by committing on social media to “Shop Local, Shop Safe, Shop with Confidence,” while highlighting the best practices put in place by businesses to help keep shoppers safe while ensuring that the reopening of Ontario continues to be a success. For example, the principles of the People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise encourage small businesses to strictly follow health guidelines and reopen with appropriate measures in place, so consumers can shop safely and with confidence, including:

• Washing and sanitizing hands
• Maintaining physical distancing
• Staying home if unwell
• Practicing respiratory etiquette
• Cleaning and disinfecting regularly

The province, in partnership with various health and safety organizations, has also released sector-specific guidelines in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These documents help workplaces better understand their responsibilities and includes best practices they can use to help them comply with their legal obligation to protect the health and safety of workers.

Ontario Courts Gradually Resuming In-Person Proceedings

Ontario courts will begin resuming in-person proceedings across the province on Monday, July 6, 2020. The gradual reopening of courtrooms will include strict health and safety protocols to protect staff and everyone required to attend a courthouse from COVID-19.

To start, 149 courtrooms in both the Superior and Ontario Courts of Justice are reopening in 44 locations. Additional courtrooms will open by September with the remaining opening by November 1, 2020. To help maintain physical distancing, plexiglass barriers are being installed in courtrooms, interview rooms, intake offices and at public counters. Everyone who visits a courthouse will be required to wear a face covering and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

• The COVID-19 outbreak has limited in-person court appearances to urgent matters such as child protection proceedings and restraining orders.
• Since March 16, 2020, the Superior and Ontario Courts of Justice have facilitated over 21,000 calls to hear matters remotely, using video and teleconferencing.
• In Ontario, online filing is available for civil claims, small claims, and family law matters.

June 27, 2020 Update

Ontario Marks Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness

Today, the Ontario government issued the following statement in recognition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day in Ontario. Where to find help:

• For Ontarians currently receiving mental health and addictions services and supports, please contact your current service provider to learn about potential virtual care options. 
• Ontarians interested in public addictions services and mental health services for those over 18, can contact ConnexOntario, Ontario’s mental health, addictions and problem gambling help line at 1-866-531-2600. 
• Children and youth under 18 can locate mental health services through the Ontario.ca and Kids Help Phone websites, or contact Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) for 24/7 telephone support if they need someone to talk to. 
• Good2Talk is a free, confidential mental health support service providing professional counselling and infor mation and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being to postsecondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365. Learn more at www.good2talk.ca. 
• To access BounceBack and their guided self-help program using workbooks with phone coaching support, visit bouncebackontario.ca or ask your primary care provider for a referral.
• Ontario Expands Virtual Mental Health Services During COVID-19
• Investing $18.3 million in Mental Health to improve community safety and support frontline workers in the justice sector
• Roadmap to Wellness: A Plan to Build Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions System
• Mental health initiatives for Ontario students
• Ontario Improving OPP Workplace Culture
• Supporting OPP Personnel and their Families Dealing with Mental Health Challenges
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Prevention Plans: Support for frontline workers

June 25, 2020 Update

Prime Minister announces support for students serving their communities and opportunities to gain paid work experience

Justin Trudeau, today announced the launch of the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG), which will support post-secondary students and recent graduates as they volunteer to serve in their communities’ COVID-19 response and gain valuable experience at the same time. The CSSG will provide these volunteers with a one-time payment of between $1,000 and $5,000 based on the number of hours they serve. To find not-for-profit organizations looking for help during the pandemic, post-secondary students and recent graduates can use the new I Want to Help platform, which also launched today.

The Government of Canada is also helping young Canadians find paid work placements and get the skills they need to start their careers. These activities include:

• Supporting an additional 20,000 job placements for post-secondary students in high demand sectors. A new investment of $186 million in the Student Work Placement Program will help more post-secondary students across Canada get paid work experience related to their field of study. This funding is in addition to the $80 million that was announced on April 22, 2020.
• Creating 10,000 new job placements for young people between the ages of 15 and 30 through the Canada Summer Jobs program. New funding of over $60 million will help expand the current work placement target from 70,000 to 80,000, creating 10,000 more placements for young people aged 15 to 30. The program provides wage subsidies to employers so they can give quality work experience to young Canadians and help them develop the skills they need to transition into the labour market.
• Creating 5,000 new internships through Mitacs for college and university students across Canada with small and medium-sized businesses. Funding of $40 million will also help develop partnerships with new industries, and offer internships to students in more areas of study.
• Increasing funding to the Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) program by $40 million to help post-secondary graduates gain professional work experience. DS4Y provides wage subsidy opportunities to help connect young people with small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profits.
• Creating over 3,500 new job placements and internships through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. New funding of $34 million, in addition to the over $153 million announced on April 22, will support programs serving high-demand sectors such as health, community services, and information technology, and help other sectors to recover.
• Providing $6.7 million for the Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program. The partnership-based program refurbishes donated surplus computers and electronic devices, and provides them to schools, libraries, not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, and low-income Canadians. It also offers paid, practical work internships for young people, through which they can develop advanced digital skills as well as experience in project management, teamwork, and communications.
• Creating 5,000 to 10,000 more work-integrated learning opportunities through the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER). The BHER will launch a national challenge for students to develop creative solutions in response to current and future sector needs as defined by Canadian industry. The national student challenge will help connect Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses with the next generation of talent in Canada.

The Canada Student Service Grant and I Want to Help platform are part of the nearly $9 billion in support for post-secondary students and recent graduates announced by the Government of Canada on April 22, 2020. The funding for Mitacs, DS4Y, CFS+, and the Business + Higher Education Roundtable also fall under this funding.

As part of its COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the Government of Canada is providing support for students who want to make a difference in their communities, while gaining the skills and supports needed for future success whether that be in their studies or in the job market. This support also includes the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, and temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs and Canada Student Grants and Loans programs.

June 24, 2020 Update

Ontario Extends Declaration of Emergency to July 15

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government has extended the provincial Declaration of Emergency under s.7.0.7 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to July 15, 2020. This extension, approved by the Ontario Legislature earlier today, provides Ontario with the additional time, flexibility, and the necessary tools to safely and gradually allow more places to reopen, while continuing to support frontline health care providers in the fight against COVID-19.

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the government will continue to monitor public health trends related to COVID-19 and assess on an ongoing basis whether the provincial Declaration of Emergency needs to be extended further. The government will also continue to review emergency orders currently in place to determine when and if it is safe to amend or lift them as more places in the province are allowed to reopen in a safe and measured way.

As of June 24, 33 public health unit regions have entered Stage 2 of the Framework for Reopening our Province, allowing more businesses and services to open and getting more people back to work. The Windsor-Essex County public health unit region remains in Stage 1 and the situation in the region will continue to be assessed on an ongoing basis.

A full list of emergency orders can be found on the e-Laws website under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and at Ontario.ca/alert.

Ontario Investing to Help Franco-Ontarian Communities Grow and Support Recovery

As the province begins its economic recovery, the government is launching the 2020-21 edition of the Francophone Community Grants Program to support Ontario’s francophone businesses and community organizations, as well as those that serve French-speaking Ontarians.

The Francophone Community Grants Program is a two-stream, application-based funding program. Funding provided under the Economic Development stream helps francophone entrepreneurs and businesses improve front-line services and better serve their French-speaking clients and partners. Under the Cultural and Community stream, the Program invests in local cultural and community initiatives, demonstrating the government’s ongoing commitment to protecting and promoting the French language and culture.

The Program supports projects which strengthen the capacity of organizations to provide products and services in French, promote the recruitment and training of bilingual staff, or provide opportunities to celebrate and foster understanding of Ontario’s Francophonie. This year, the Economic Development stream has been extended to include not-for-profit organizations, in addition to for-profit organizations.

June 23, 2020 Update

The Government of Canada temporarily extends time periods given to employers to recall employees laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, announced changes to extend time periods for temporary layoffs to allow employers more time to recall laid-off employees. The temporary changes will help protect the jobs of federally regulated private-sector employees and support employers facing economic hardship as a result of the pandemic.

Prior to these changes, employers could temporarily lay-off their employees for up to three months if no notice with a recall date was provided, or for a period of up to six months if they provided a notice with an expected recall date, before the lay-off became a termination. The amendments, which are set out in the Canada Labour Standards Regulations, temporarily extend these time periods by up to six months:

• For employees laid off prior to March 31, 2020, the time period is extended by six months or to December 30, 2020, whichever occurs first.
• For employees laid off between March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2020, the time period is extended until December 30, 2020, unless a later recall date was provided in a written notice at the time of the layoff.

These changes, which came into effect on June 22, 2020, do not apply to employees who are covered by a collective agreement that contains recall rights.

These changes also do not apply to employees whose employment had already been terminated prior to the coming into force of the amendments. The previous rules will apply to layoffs occurring after September 30, 2020.

June 19, 2020 Update

Ontario Prepares for the Safe Reopening of Schools

Today, the Ontario government released its safety plan for the resumption of class for the 2020-21 school year, outlining scenarios for how students, teachers and staff can safely return to classrooms in September.

Ontario’s plan to safely reopen schools will provide options for parents – to send their children in-class or to enter online learning – with health, safety and well-being at its core. Boards will be asked to plan for the following three scenarios to be implemented in September, depending on the public health situation at the time:

1. Normal school day routine with enhanced public health protocols – Students going to school every day, in classes that reflect standard class size regulations.
2. Modified school day routine – Based on public health advice, an adapted delivery model has been designed to allow for physical distancing and cohorts of students. Under this model, school boards are asked to maintain a limit of 15 students in a typical classroom at one time and adopt timetabling that would allow for students to remain in contact only with their classmates and a single teacher for as much of the school day as possible. This model would require alternate day or alternate week delivery to a segment of the class at one time.
3. At home learning – Should the school closure be extended, or some parents choose not to send their child back to school, school boards need to be prepared to offer remote education. Remote education should be delivered online to the greatest extent possible, including the establishment of minimum expectations for students to have direct contact with their teacher at the same time on a regular basis, also known as synchronous learning. Synchronous learning can be used as part of whole class instruction, in smaller groups of students, and/or in a one-on-one context.

The government is instructing school boards to be prepared with a plan, should it be required, that includes an adapted delivery model, which could include alternate day or alternate week attendance, staggered bell times and recess, and different transportation arrangements, among a variety of other considerations to ensure the safety of students and staff.

June 18, 2020 Update

Prime Minister announces new mobile app to help notify Canadians of COVID-19 exposure

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the upcoming launch of a new nation-wide mobile app to provide notifications of exposure to COVID-19 across Canada, with beta testing to begin in Ontario.

The app, originally developed by the Government of Ontario, will help Canadians and public health officials identify and isolate the spread of the virus more quickly, which is an important step toward containing the virus and safely restarting the economy.

Use of the app will be voluntary. If someone tests positive for COVID-19, a health care provider will give them a unique temporary code, so they can upload their status anonymously to a national network. Other users who have downloaded the app and come in contact with that person will be notified, through the app, that they may have been exposed to the virus. The app will also provide users with information on steps they can take to keep themselves and others safe, and we are working with the provinces and territories so they can customize public health information based on their own jurisdiction.

The Canadian Digital Service is leading the development of the app, in collaboration with the Ontario Digital Service and building upon technology developed by Shopify volunteers. The app will undergo a security review by BlackBerry. It incorporates Bluetooth technology provided by Apple and Google to anonymously record instances where users have come into close contact. To protect confidentiality and privacy, the app will not disclose the identity of users. This information will never be shared with any other entity, will not be stored by the app, and will never leave the user’s phone. No personal information is collected by the app, and it does not track the user’s location to ensure the privacy of all Canadians.

The app will be available to Canadians for free download in the coming weeks, with health authorities in Ontario being the first to distribute the unique, temporary codes to people who test positive for COVID-19. We are working with the other provinces and territories to make it available in their jurisdictions as well. We anticipate other provinces and territories will come on board in the coming weeks and months.

The Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments will continue to work together to restart our economy through a gradual and phased approach, while protecting the health of all Canadians.

Ontario Enhancing COVID-19 Case and Contact Management

As the province safely and gradually reopens, the Ontario government is enhancing case and contact management to quickly test, trace and isolate cases of COVID-19 to stop the spread of the virus and prepare for any potential future waves. These additional measures include a comprehensive case and contact management strategy, Protecting Ontarians through Enhanced Case and Contact Management, and, in partnership with the federal government, a new made-in-Ontario national app called COVID Alert.

The government’s enhanced strategy focuses on strengthening and standardizing case and contact management by:

• Ensuring that all new cases and their close contacts are identified early, contacted quickly, investigated thoroughly and are followed up with daily for up to 14 days;
• Supporting public health units with up to 1,700 additional staff from Statistics Canada;
• Improving technology tools by modernizing the integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) through the implementation of a new custom-built COVID-19 case and contact management system; and
• Launching a privacy-first exposure notification app to alert Ontarians when they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Ontario is providing updated case and contact management guidance for all public health units to ensure consistency across the province. To continue to ensure cases and their contacts are reached in a timely and effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, public health units will:

• Connect with cases, and with all individuals who have had close contact with a positive case, within 24 hours of being identified;
• Direct all close contacts to self-isolate for up to 14 days;
• Follow up with close contacts every day for the duration of their self-isolation; and
• Advise testing of all appropriate close contacts.

To augment the current provincial capacity of approximately 2,000 case managers and contact tracers, Ontario is providing additional contact tracing staff. New and expanded capacity will be provided through Statistics Canada with access to up to 1,700 additional staff, available to all provinces, for contact tracing. Public Health Ontario will continue overseeing the training and coordination of these additional resources.

Over the summer and into the fall, Ontario will continue to build a supplementary pool of contact tracers from the Ontario Public Service and the broader public sector for additional surge capacity, as required. This will allow public health units to perform their other critical functions, including inspections of food premises and water in recreational facilities, and vaccinations.

To help Ontarians stay safe as the province reopens and social interactions increase, Ontario will be partnering with the federal government to launch COVID Alert, a new privacy-first exposure notification app, within the next two weeks. The made-in-Ontario app was developed by the Ontario Digital Service (ODS) and a group of volunteers from Shopify. One of the overarching principles is ensuring the privacy and security for all users, which is why the government will leverage BlackBerry volunteer expertise to audit the security and privacy of the application, in addition to the province’s internal security reviews.

Users will be able to voluntarily download the app and be notified anonymously if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days. In Ontario, the app will also provide users with quick access to Ontario’s public health advice and resources, and recommend any necessary actions, such as monitoring for symptoms, self-isolation or appropriate next steps on getting tested. Using a national application will help ensure that Ontarians are notified, regardless of which province they are in, helping us towards the goal of ensuring we can all move more freely and safely.

Ontario is also implementing a new user-friendly case and contact management system that will integrate with COVID-19 laboratory results from the Ontario Laboratory Information System (OLIS) data, making current processes significantly more efficient and reducing the administrative burden for public health unit staff. A single central system will enable the province to identify provincewide regional trends and hotspots, while protecting personal health information. Custom-built on the Salesforce platform, the new system will also allow for a remote workforce, enabling contact tracing to be quickly ramped up when required.

June 17, 2020 Update

Ontario Extends Emergency Orders

The Ontario government has extended all emergency orders currently in force under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. This extension will be in effect until June 30, 2020 to ensure the government continues to have the necessary tools to safely and gradually reopen the province, while continuing to support frontline health care workers and protect vulnerable populations from COVID-19.

While current emergency orders will remain in place until the end of the month, the government will continue to review each one on an ongoing, case-by-case basis to determine when and if they can safely be adjusted or lifted, as part of the province’s framework to safely reopen the province.

Over the past week, the government announced 31 public health unit regions across the province may proceed to Stage 2 of its Framework for Reopening the Province. This will allow additional businesses and services to reopen and more people to return to work.

In addition, larger social gatherings of up to 10 people are now allowed in all parts of the province, and people are encouraged to create or join a social circle. Social circles are different from social gatherings. Social gatherings of people from outside your household are limited to 10 people. A social circle is voluntary, but if adopted should include all household members, and can include family and friends outside the household up to a maximum of 10 people in the social circle, who can interact and come into close contact with one another without physical distancing. To learn how to create a social circle, please see the step-by-step guide.

Ontario Pauses Commercial Evictions

Today, the Ontario government passed the Protecting Small Business Act, temporarily halting or reversing evictions of commercial tenants and protecting them from being locked out or having their assets seized during COVID-19. The legislation applies to businesses that are eligible for federal/provincial rent assistance for evictions from May 1, 2020 until August 31, 2020.

Landlords and tenants are encouraged to participate in the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. The pause on evictions does not apply to those participating in CECRA for small businesses, as the program requires landlords to enter into a rent reduction agreement with their impacted small business tenants and commits them to a moratorium on evictions for three months.

• Canada Emergency Rent Assistance Calculator

Ontario Supports Ontario’s Beverage Alcohol Sector During COVID-19

The Ontario government is encouraging consumers to mark Ontario Craft Beer Week and Ontario Wine Week by supporting local beverage alcohol producers as the province takes additional steps to help the sector recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

The government is increasing choice and convenience for consumers by working to expand made-in-Ontario options at the LCBO. This includes increased marketing, converting available shelf space to profile Ontario products, and making more products available for sale, including bag-in-box wine and those made in the province. The supports are effective June 21 until October 2020.

This initiative is part of a number of ways the government is supporting Ontario’s beverage alcohol sector, including:

• Pausing increases to beer and wine taxes, previously scheduled to take effect in spring 2020;
• Temporarily allowing licensed restaurants and bars to sell alcohol with food takeout and delivery orders between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.;
• Temporarily allowing licensed restaurants and bars to sell spirits at a lower price with food takeout and delivery orders;
• Allowing restaurants and bars to temporarily create or extend outdoor patio spaces to safely accommodate patrons and staff once licensed establishments are permitted to reopen for business;
• Making it easier for cideries to sell directly to consumers by temporarily removing the requirement for cideries to have five acres of planted fruit to qualify for an on-site store;
• Extending the Ontario Wine and Grape Strategy to 2021-22, providing $7.5 million annually for VQA Support, $4.8 million annually for marketing and promotion, $250,000 for research and $250,000 for benchmarking; and
• Extending the Small Cidery and Small Distillery Support Program to 2021-22, providing $2.6 million annually to help eligible businesses grow and scale up their operations.

June 16, 2020 Update

Ontario Releases Guide on How to Develop a Workplace Safety Plan

The new guide will help each employer create a safety plan that is right for their own unique workplace. It includes information on the use of face coverings, as well as applying controls in the workplace, from most important to least important. It also includes information on what personal protective equipment may be needed for workers.

The government’s first general workplace guide is accompanied by a template that employers can fill in to develop their own unique COVID-19 safety plan. The materials will help employers:

• Identify the risks for transmitting the virus through person-to-person contact and actions such as touching faces with hands that have been contaminated by contact with surfaces and objects;
• Determine what controls are needed to help mitigate risk, such as engineering controls like the installation of plexiglass to separate workers from customers, administrative controls limiting the number of workers in a space at one time, and personal protective equipment including face and eye protection;
• Create a workplace safety plan based on the identified risks and appropriate controls specific to the employer’s workplace;
• Implement the plan in the workplace, and review and update it as the situation evolves; and
• Communicate the actions being taken to workers and othe r people entering the workplace.

The new guide is supported by 121 workplace resources available at Ontario.ca/covidsafety to help protect workers from the virus. They include safety guidelines and helpful posters with tips for 28 distinct sectors such as construction, food, agriculture, manufacturing and long-term care. These materials were developed by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development in consultation with provincial health and safety associations.

Prime Minister announces extension of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the government is extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) by eight weeks, to ensure Canadians have the help they need as they transition back to work. This extension will make the benefit available to eligible workers for up to a total of 24 weeks.

The CERB is a taxable benefit of $2,000 over a four-week period for eligible workers who have stopped working or whose work hours have been reduced, due to COVID-19.

The CERB is available to workers who:

• live in Canada and are at least 15 years old
• have stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19, or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits, or have exhausted their EI regular or fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020
• had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019, or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application
• have not earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income per benefit period while collecting the CERB
• have not quit their job voluntarily

Today’s announcement builds on a number of measures, including the proposed extension of the CEWS announced on May 15. The CEWS is being extended to August 29, 2020, to protect jobs, allow businesses to keep employees on the payroll, and re-hire workers who were previously laid off.

June 15, 2020 Update

More People Can Get Back to Work as Additional Businesses and Services to Reopen This Week

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and local medical officers of health, is enabling more regions of the province to enter Stage 2 of the government’s reopening framework.

The latest public health unit regions allowed to move into Stage 2 on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. are:

• Durham Region Health Department;
• Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit;
• Halton Region Health Department;
• Hamilton Public Health Services;
• Lambton Health Unit;
• Niagara Region Public Health Department; and
• York Region Public Health Services.

These regions are in addition to the 24 public health regions that entered Stage 2 on June 12, 2020. Before opening, business owners need to review the workplace safety guidelines and public health  advice.

The following regions will remain in Stage 1 under ongoing assessment until trends of key public health indicators demonstrate readiness to move into Stage 2:

• Peel Public Health;
• Toronto Public Health; and
• Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

Masks mandatory on all OC Transpo vehicles and stations

All OC Transpo riders and employees are required now to wear medical or non-medical face-coverings in all stations, buses, and trains to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The masks must cover your mouth and nose at all times when on transit property. 

The transit commission said it will focus on an education model with the masks, instead of enforcement. No fines will be issued for non-compliance. 

June 13, 2020 Update

Ontario Eases Restrictions on Wedding and Funeral Ceremonies

Based on positive public health trends the government is extending the number of people allowed to attend an indoor wedding or funeral ceremony to a maximum of 30 per cent capacity of the ceremony venue.   

Wedding and funeral ceremonies taking place outdoors will be limited to 50 attendees. For both indoor and outdoor ceremonies, those attending must follow proper health and safety advice, including practising physical distancing from people who are not from the same household or their established 10-person social circle.

The changes came into effect on Friday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m. The maximum number of people allowed to attend indoor or outdoor wedding and funeral receptions remains at 10 people. As the COVID-19 outbreak evolves in Ontario, further direction will be provided on capacity restrictions for weddings and funerals going forward.

June 12, 2020 Update

Ontarians Encouraged to Establish Social Circles

Effective immediately, people throughout Ontario are being encouraged to establish a social “circle” of no more than 10 people who can interact and come into close contact with one another without physical distancing. Social circles will support the mental health and well-being of Ontarians and help reduce social isolation.

Ontarians who wish to form a safe social circle should follow these five simple steps:

1. Start with your current circle: the people you live with or who regularly come into your household;
2. If your current circle is under 10 people, you can add members to your circle, including those from another household, family members or friends;
3. Get agreement from everyone that they will join the circle;
4. Keep your social circle safe. Maintain physical distancing with anyone outside of your circle; and
5. Be true to your circle. No one should be part of more than one circle.

The province has developed a practical step-by-step guide to help Ontarians as they safely develop and join a social circle.

The rules for social circles are different from the proposed expansion of social gatherings from five to 10 people. Social gatherings can be any 10 people from outside your household, but where physical distancing of at least two metres should be maintained. For example, the expansion of social gatherings enables individuals and families to enjoy the company of others at backyard barbeques and picnics in neighbourhood parks, while respecting physical distancing advice.

On the other hand, social circles will enable Ontarians to enjoy close contact with members of their circle. This could include hugging, carpooling, enjoying a patio and sharing a meal without staying two metres apart. Ontarians should avoid close-contact activities with anyone outside of their circle if they are unable to maintain physical distancing. Social circles will also bring back supports from people outside of their household who can now help with children, seniors or those in need.

While physical distancing does not need to be practised between members of the same social circle, other public health advice, including frequent hand washing, should be maintained. Anyone who is ill or feeling sick should immediately limit their contact with anyone in their circle, inform the other members of the circle, self-isolate, and seek testing if they have COVID-19 symptoms, by visiting one of the 145 assessment centres across Ontario. They should also seek testing if they are concerned that they might have been exposed to COVID-19 or be at risk.

June 11, 2020 Update

Ontario and Canada Helping Small Businesses Go Digital

The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, is helping small businesses reach more customers through the Digital Main Street platform. It is a $57-million program which will help up to 22,900 Ontario businesses create and enhance their online presence and generate jobs for more than 1,400 students.

Through the $57-million contribution to the Digital Main Street platform, businesses will be able to take advantage of three new programs to support their digital transformation:

• shopHERE powered by Google will leverage Ontario’s strengths by hiring highly skilled and trained students to build and support the launch of online stores for businesses that previously did not have the capacity to do so themselves. The core goal will be to help small businesses compete and grow, in a world that is increasingly online, and help them recover as quickly as possible following COVID-19.
• Digital Main Street Grant will help main street small businesses be digitally more effective. Through a $2,500 grant administered by the Ontario BIA Association, small businesses will be able to adopt new technologies and embrace digital marketing. Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) can apply for a Digital Service Squad grant, which will allow them to establish teams to provide personalized, one-on-one support.
• Future-Proofing Main Street will provide specialized and in-depth digital transformation services and support that helps existing main-street firms adapt to changes in their sector and thrive in the new economy. By leveraging teams of digital marketing professionals and talented students, these firms will be able to create new online business models, develop and implement digital and e-commerce marketing strategies, and maximize digital tools, platforms and content.

About 60 percent of Ontario’s small enterprises have a website, and only seven percent have an online payment solution. Digitally, Canadian businesses are estimated to be two years behind their U.S. counterparts.

In response, the Ontario government is providing significant support to small business. Along with the Digital Main Street platform, the province is investing an additional $150 million in rural broadband which will help open the digital road for many Ontario small businesses.

June 10, 2020 Update

People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise program

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade announced that the Government of Canada has partnered with the People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise program, an initiative launched today by Canadian private-sector organizations to help businesses across the country reopen safely.

The “POST Promise” is a voluntary commitment that business owners and managers can make by following five key public health actions that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

1. Maintaining physical distance
2. Washing and sanitizing hands
3. Cleaning and disinfecting regularly
4. Staying home if unwell and self-monitoring for symptoms
5. Practicing respiratory etiquette (including wearing a mask when physical distancing is difficult)

By displaying the “POST Promise” logo, participating businesses can reassure customers that they are doing their part to help protect Canadians’ health and safety.

As we take steps towards restarting our economy, the Government will continue to work with POST Promise to ensure that businesses have accurate and up-to-date health and safety guidelines on their platform.

WHERE TO START:

To get the help you need: 

1. Visit the government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan website for information about supporting your employees and your business. It is continuously updated as the COVID-19 crisis evolves. 
2. Contact your local financial institution. Since we know most small businesses have a relationship with their local financial institution already, we’ve worked with the financial sector to increase their lending capacity to support you in this challenging time. They are an excellent first resource.
3. Consult the Canadian Business Resilience Network a partnership between our government and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to help your business prepare, persevere and prosper through this crisis.
4. Talk to a financial expert – Call the Business Resilience Service for customized financial guidance tailored to your needs. Small business owners with pressing financial needs can call 1-866-989-1080 (toll-free) seven days a week in either official language to speak with a business advisor.

New Exemptions to Travel Restrictions

Immediate family members of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may now be eligible to enter Canada. To be eligible, you must provide evidence that:

• You are an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• You will be staying in Canada for at least 15 days.

You must also have a quarantine plan that shows how you will quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada.

Full details can be found here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html#foreign

Beaches and Campsites to Open at Ontario Parks

As part of the Ontario government’s Stage 2 reopening plan, more facilities and services will be available at provincial parks in certain regions beginning on June 12, 2020. Gradually over the next several weeks, Ontario Parks will start opening campgrounds, providing more washrooms and drinking water, along with roofed accommodations, park store and rental operations, visitor centres, and sports fields. It’s important to check what facilities and services are available before visiting a provincial park.

The following is a list of recreational activities and facilities that will be opening soon at provincial parks in regions entering Stage 2:

• On June 12, beaches at Ontario Parks will begin opening to the public as maintenance and water testing are completed.
• On June 15, campers enrolled in this year’s Ontario Parks’ Seasonal Campsite Program will now have access to their campsites at the majority of participating provincial parks. Those who were preselected in 2019 for the program will be contacted by Ontario Parks directly regarding the status of their reservation.
• Beginning the week of June 22, all other campgrounds in regions entering Stage 2 will gradually open at provincial parks, along with washrooms, water taps and trailer sanitation stations.
• Roofed accommodations (e.g., yurts, cabins and lodges, where available), park store and rental operations, visitor centers, and sports fields will be phased in over the next several weeks.  

Facilities such as showers, laundry, group camping, picnic shelter rentals and swimming pools will remain closed for the rest of the 2020 season.  

Visitors should check OntarioParks.com to see what facilities and services are available before visiting a provincial park.

June 9, 2020 Update

Business Re-Opening Workshop

The Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas (OCOBIA) has partnered with the Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and the the Ottawa Board of Trade (OBoT) to bring you the  Business Re-Opening Workshops.

The Business Re-Opening Workshops are a series of interactive workshops divided by business sector.  Each workshop provides sector specific considerations for a safer re-opening, covering off topics such as health and safety guidelines, planning for physical distancing, use of cloth masks and industry specific issues:

• Restaurants and Food Services – June 15
• Day Camps & Childcare – June 19
• Health Care and Personal Services – June 23
• Construction & Manufacturing – June 29
• Offices & Professional Services – July 2
• Retail & Vehicle Dealerships –  July 7

June 8, 2020 Update

Ontario Proposing Temporary Ban on Commercial Evictions

The Ontario government announced today that it intends to take action to protect commercial tenants from being locked out or having their assets seized by their landlords due to the negative impacts of COVID-19. 

The proposed changes to the Commercial Tenancies Act would, if passed, temporarily halt evictions of businesses that are eligible for federal/provincial rent assistance. If passed, the legislation would reverse evictions that occurred on or after June 3, 2020. The government intends to bring this legislation forward as soon as possible.

If passed, the proposed legislation would make it illegal to evict a commercial tenant until August 31, 2020.  

Ontario Permits More Businesses and Services to Reopen in the Coming Days

Today, the Ontario government announced that it is getting more people back to work and more recreational activities open by moving forward with a regional approach to Stage 2 of reopening the province.

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and local health officials, the government is easing restrictions in communities where it is safe to do so, based on trends of key public health indicators such as lower rates of transmission, increased capacity in hospitals, and progress made in testing.

Effective Friday, June 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., the province will increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people across the province, regardless of whether a region has moved to Stage 2. Additionally, all places of worship in Ontario will also be permitted to open with physical distancing in place and attendance limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity to ensure the safety of worshippers.

Public health unit regions allowed to move into Stage 2 on Friday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m. include:

• Algoma Public Health
• Brant County Health Unit
• Chatham-Kent Public Health
• Eastern Ontario Health Unit
• Grey Bruce Health Unit
• Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
• Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
• Huron Perth Public Health
• Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health
• Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
• Middlesex-London Health Unit
• North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
• Northwestern Health Unit
• Ottawa Public Health
• Peterborough Public Health
• Porcupine Health Unit
• Public Health Sudbury & Districts
• Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
• Renfrew County and District Health Unit
• Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit
• Southwestern Public Health
• Thunder Bay District Health Unit
• Timiskaming Health Unit
• Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health

Businesses and services permitted to reopen with proper health and safety measures in place in regions entering Stage 2 include:

• Outdoor dine-in services at restaurants, bars and other establishments, including patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent properties;
• Select personal and personal care services with the proper health and safety measures in place, including tattoo parlours, barber shops, hair salons and beauty salons;
• Shopping malls under existing restrictions, including food services reopening for take-out and outdoor dining only;
• Tour and guide services, such as bike and walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tasting and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries;
• Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and all swimming pools;
• Beach access and additional camping at Ontario Parks;
• Camping at private campgrounds;
• Outdoor-only recreational facilities and training for outdoor team sports, with limits to enable physical distancing;
• Drive-in and drive-through venues for theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations;
• Film and television production activities, with limits to enable physical distancing; and
• Weddings and funerals, with limits on social gatherings to 10 people.

As more people return to work, the services they rely on will need to be available regardless of the stage a region is in. The province will soon release more details on:

• Child care;
• Summer camps;
• Post-secondary education pilots to help people graduate;
• Training centres; and
• Public transit.

The government, in partnership with health and safety associations, has released more than 100 health and safety guidance documents at Ontario.ca/COVIDsafety to help employers in multiple sectors ― including retail, restaurant and food services and child care ― keep spaces safe for workers and customers. As they prepare to reopen, employers are strongly advised to review these guidance documents and implement appropriate measures to help protect their workers and customers.

For questions about what is currently able to open during Stage 1, or what will be open or impacts to your business or employment when we enter Stage 2, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• What Stage 2 means to you and your business (PDF)
• Learn more about Stage 2 of reopening Ontario
• Learn more about A Framework for Reopening our Province
• Find workplace safety guidance documents to prepare for reopening
• Information and advice to help your business navigate the economy during COVID-19

Ontario government allows restaurants and bars to temporarily extend outdoor patio spaces

The Ontario government will allow restaurants and bars to temporarily extend outdoor patio spaces to safely accommodate patrons and staff once licensed establishments are permitted to fully reopen for business. This action will help support hospitality sector workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

As a result of a regulation change, licensed establishments may create a patio adjacent to their premise or increase the size of their patio once they are permitted to welcome patrons on-site. This temporary measure will allow the public to safely enjoy service that meets social distancing requirements and other public health guidelines.

During this temporary period, licensees who meet the eligibility criteria and requirements are not required to apply to the AGCO for a temporary extension of premises or pay any fee.

While the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will not require licensees to apply or pay a fee for these temporary extensions, licensed establishments must ensure they have municipal approval and meet all other applicable requirements. These measures will be in effect until January 1, 2021 at 3:00 a.m.

The province is also providing enhanced choice and flexibility to Ontario liquor manufacturers regarding the location of “tied houses”, which are the restaurants and bars located at wineries, breweries and distilleries. Effective immediately, tied houses are no longer required to be located on the manufacturing site itself, but may be located anywhere at the same municipal or property address as the manufacturing site.

For more information and a list of criteria please see the  iAGCO website and more specifically:
AGCO News Release: Ontario Extending Outdoor Patios to Allow for Social Distancing During COVID-19 
Info Bulletin: Liquor sales licensees may extend their patios for the duration of 2020 once permitted to open  
Info Bulletin: Changes to Tied House Liquor Sales Licence Requirement

June 6, 2020 Update

The Ontario government, after consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has extended all emergency orders currently in force under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until June 19, 2020. Extending these emergency orders will give employers of frontline care providers the necessary flexibility to respond to COVID-19 and protect vulnerable people and the public as the province gradually and safely reopens.

Current emergency orders that have been extended include those that enable frontline care providers to redeploy staff where they are needed most, allow public health units to redeploy or hire staff to support case management and contact tracing, and prohibits long-term care and retirement home employees from working at more than one home or for another health service provider.

The following emergency orders under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act have been extended until June 19, 2020:

• Closure of Establishments
• Prohibiting Organized Public Events, Certain Gatherings
• Work Deployment Measures for Health Care Workers
• Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works
• Electronic Service
• Work Deployment Measures in Long -Term Care Homes
• Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses
• Traffic Management
• Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes
• Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Necessary Goods 
• Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities
• Enforcement of Orders
• Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health
• Work Deployment Measures in Retirement Homes
• Access to COVID-19 Status Information by Specified Persons
• Service Agencies Providing Services and Supports to Adults with Developmental Disabilities
• Pickup and Delivery of Cannabis
• Signatures in Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Use of Force and Firearms in Policing Services
• Child Care Fees
• Agreements Between Health Service Providers and Retirement Homes
• Temporary Health or Residential Facilities
• Work Depl oyment Measures for Service Agencies Providing Violence Against Women Residential Services and Crisis Line Services
• Limiting Work to a Single Long-Term Care Home
• Work Deployment Measures for District Social Services Administration Boards
• Deployment of Employees of Service Provider Organizations
• Work Deployment Measures for Municipalities
• Limitin g Work to a Single Retirement Home
• Work Deployment Measures for Mental Health and Addictions Agencies
• Congregate Care Settings
• Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record
• Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death
• Hospital Credentialing Processes
• Education Sector
• Management of Long-term Care Homes in Outbreak
• Management of Retirement Homes in an Outbreak
• Special Rules re: Temporary Pandemic Pay
• Electricity Price for RPP Consumers

June 5, 2020 Update

Today, as part of National AccessAbility Week, PM Trudeau announced a one-time payment of $600 for persons with disabilities. We know Canadians living with disabilities are facing significant challenges during this difficult time, with some experiencing job insecurity and others seeing increased costs for personal support workers, medication, and medical supplies. We all benefit when everyone can participate equally in our economy and society.

As the economy slowly restarts, workplaces are adapting to operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has released numerous resources to support workplaces in understanding and managing the risks associated with COVID-19. You may find these tools useful as your business develops a plan to reopen when it is safe to do so:

·       Reopening for Businesses Tip Sheet

·       Preventing Stigma in the Workplace

·       COVID-19 Screening Tool

·       COVID-19: Tools for helping workplaces prevent the spread and reopen for business

June 2, 2020 Update

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario is extending the provincial Declaration of Emergency to June 30. The decision supports the government’s efforts to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and protect the health and safety of Ontarians as the province reopens in a measured and responsible way. The extension, under s.7.0.7 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, was approved by the Ontario legislature earlier today.

Premier Doug Ford announced that they are extending the provincial Declaration of Emergency until June 30, 2020 to protect the health and safety of all individuals and families as we begin to gradually and safely reopen our province. “We are not out of the woods yet, so it is critical that we exercise caution to keep everyone safe, including protecting our most vulnerable citizens in long-term care homes, retirement homes and group homes.”

June 1, 2020 Update

New Regulation will protect employees from permanent layoffs and businesses from potential closures

The Ontario government is taking steps to help ensure that as the economy gradually and safely reopens workers will have jobs to return to and businesses will be protected from incurring unsustainable termination costs. Today, the government announced that it has enacted a new regulatory amendment that will put non-unionized employees on Infectious Disease Emergency Leave during the COVID-19 outbreak any time their hours of work are temporarily reduced by their employer due to COVID-19. This will ensure businesses aren’t forced to terminate employees after their ESA temporary layoff periods have expired.

The regulatory amendment applies retroactively to March 1, 2020 and will expire six weeks after the declared emergency ends. The regulatory amendments do not include employees represented by a trade union. Please see the Government of Ontario Website for more.

As regulated health professions get their safety precautions in place, you may notice more businesses in the Heart of Orléans opening today. The following regulated health professionals can be open as long as their respective regulatory bodies approve:

• audiologists
• chiropodists
• chiropractors
• dental hygienists
• dental technologists
• dentists
• denturists
• dietitians
• homeopaths
• kinesiologists
• massage therapists
• medical laboratory technologists
• medical radiation technologists and sonographers
• midwives
• naturopaths
• nurses
• occupational therapists
• opticians
• optometrists
• pharmacists
• pharmacy technicians
• physicians
• physiotherapists
• podiatrists
• psychologists
• psychotherapists
• respiratory therapists
• speech-language pathologists
• traditional Chinese medical practitioners and acupuncturists

Face Coverings Are Recommended

As the Ontario government continues to carefully and gradually reopen the province, those taking public transit, returning to work or going out shopping are being urged to continue to adhere to public health advice as the best line of defence against COVID-19. To assist the public, the Ministry of Health released specific recommendations on how to choose, wear and care for appropriate face coverings used in public where physical distancing is not possible, along with additional safety measures for provincial transit agencies.

It is recommended that you use a face covering (non-medical mask such as a cloth mask) to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 when physical distancing and keeping two-metres’ distance from others may be challenging or not possible, such as:

• public transit
• smaller grocery stores or pharmacies
• when you are receiving essential services

Medical masks (surgical, medical procedure face masks and respirators like N95 masks) should be reserved for use by health care workers and first responders.

Fit

Non-medical masks or face coverings should:

• fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops
• maintain their shape after washing and drying
• be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material (such as cotton or linen)
• be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose and mouth without gaping

Who should not use face coverings

Face coverings should not be placed on or used by:

• children under the age of two
• anyone who has trouble breathing
• anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance

Guidance for health care workers

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a garment or device worn by health care workers to protect themselves from infection when they:

• are in close contact with people who are infected
• can’t maintain a safe physical distance
• do not have access to a physical barrier

PPE includes:

• surgical masks, also called procedural or medical masks, which prevent droplets and splashes from passing through the mask material  
• respirators, such as the N95 respirator, which have a filter and seal around the nose and mouth to help prevent exposure to airborne particles
• gowns
• gloves
• eye protection, such as goggles or face shields

The type of PPE you need depends on the type of health care work you do. Health care workers who provide direct care to patients with suspected or confirmed COVID‑19 need to:

• follow droplet and contact precautions
• use a surgical mask, isolation gown, gloves and eye protection

Learn more about Public Health Ontario’s PPE recommendations in health care facilities.

If you are a business or health care organization and you need PPE, you can find a company or business association that supplies personal protective equipment on the Government of Ontario website or a local list of suppliers here.

May 28, 2020 Update

Support for Small Businesses

Small Business Relief Fund

As part of its Canadian Business Resilience Network campaign, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, through the generosity of Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), will provide 62 small Canadian businesses from coast to coast to coast with $10,000 grants to help their recovery efforts during these unprecedented times.

Businesses can use the $10,000 grants to support their recovery efforts, including paying salaries, acquiring safety and personal protective equipment for staff, replenishing materials or paying for the measures required to adapt business models to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Key eligibility criteria

To be eligible to apply, businesses must:

1. Be a for-profit company; and,
2. Have between 2 and 50 employees; and,
3. Have been in business for two years as of March 1, 2020; and,
4. Have an annual revenue between $150,000 CAD and $5,000,000 CAD; and,
5. Have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
6. Meet the other eligibility criteria set out in the program’s terms and conditions.

The program’s application, terms and conditions and its privacy policy will be posted here on June 1.

Facebook Grant

Businesses can apply for a Facebook grant of more than $5,000 in cash and ad credits between May 26 and June, 2020.
Applications are simple (approx. 20 minutes) and require tax number or proof of incorporation. Businesses must be over one year old with 2 to 50 employees and be in one of the four areas; Ottawa-Gatineau, Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. You can apply for a Facebook Grant here.

May 27, 2020 Update

As a result of a new order from the province’s chief medical officer of health, Ontario is allowing over two dozen health-care providers, including dentists, physiotherapists and massage therapists, to return to work immediately once health and safety guidelines are in place. Each college will provide advice on which services can or should be provided virtually. For a complete list of regulated healthcare providers, please click here.

Please stay up to date as our province navigates through the various stages and gradually re-opens. There are sector-specific guidelines and posters to help protect your employees, customers and the general public from coronavirus (COVID-19) as you reopen your businesses.

Have your say

Tell Ontario about the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on your business. Your input will be shared with the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee and used to help make decisions about reopening our province and recovering following COVID-19. The consultation closes on June 12, 2020.

Today, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) launched a new Ottawa COVID-19 Dashboard to provide up to date information on core indicators for local monitoring and informing re-opening decisions. The Ottawa COVID-19 Dashboard includes four sections: (1) Virus Spread and Containment; (2) Health Care System Capacity; (3) Public Health; and (4) Testing and Tracking. Note that the dashboard is in a pilot phase and therefore subject to changes and improvements as we move forward.

As we move into a world where we start to leave our homes and frequent businesses as they are allowed to reopen, we also need to remain diligent about reducing the risk and putting our health and safety first.

May 26, 2020 Update

Ontario has extended all emergency orders for another 10 days.

On May 19, the province extended all emergency orders until May 29. The orders, including the closure of outdoor playgrounds, public swimming pools, and bars and restaurants, except for takeout and delivery, will now be in effect until June 9.

For this time, there also continues to be restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people and staff redeployment rules remain in place for long-term care homes and congregate settings like retirement homes and women’s shelters.

For a complete list of the emergency orders, please click here.

Commercial Eviction Protection Plea

This week a joint letter calling on the Provincial Government to bring in commercial eviction protection was sent to Premier Ford from the Canadian Federation of independent Business, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association, restaurants Canada and Retail Council of Canada.

May 25, 2020 Update

The online application for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) is now up and running. Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. It offers unsecured, forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners to:

• reduce the rent owed by their impacted small business tenants
• meet operating expenses on commercial properties

Property owners must offer a minimum of a 75% rent reduction for the months of April, May and June 2020.

To manage volume, we will be asking property owners to register on the following days:

We encourage all eligible commercial property owners to participate in this program. Please apply here.

May 20, 2020 Update

Mayor Jim Watson announced a new Business Reopening Tool Kit today. As Ontario begins to reopen the economy, all Ottawa businesses are encouraged to review the information in this Business Reopening Toolkit. This document has been prepared by the City of Ottawa, in consultation with Ottawa Public Health. It is intended to provide guidance to businesses to prepare for safe reopening, subject to direction from the Province of Ontario, and should not be construed as legal advice or to replace specific instructions that may be issued by Ottawa Public Health or the Province.

Please check the city’s website often as the tool kit will be updated regularly.

May 19, 2020 Update

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

We have been speaking with MP Marie-France Lalonde on a regular basis about some of our BIA businesses struggling and not all eligible to take advantage of the various government programs being offered. Well, she listened and has been advocating on your behalf as well!

Today, we received a letter telling us about a new Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF). This fund, which will flow through FedDev Ontario and the other Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), will help more businesses and organizations obtain funding that they do not presently qualify for, or have been declined for, with current Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures.  We encourage you to apply now.

The RRRF is now open for applications from businesses and communities across the country. Businesses who wish to apply for the RRRF can apply online at the following link. Businesses are encouraged to consult the Application Guide and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before applying, and can contact FedDev Ontario by phone at 1-866-593-5505

Please click here to see the letter received from our MP.

CEBA Criteria Expanded

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced an expansion to the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to include many owner-operated small businesses.

The program will now be available to a greater number of businesses that are sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll.

To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 would need:

• a business operating account at a participating financial institution
• a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.
• eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.

Expenses will be subject to verification and audit by the Government of Canada. Funding will be delivered in partnership with financial institutions. More details, including the launch date for applications under the new criteria, will follow in the days to come. The government will continue to work on solutions to help business owners and entrepreneurs who operate through their personal bank account, as opposed to a business account, or have yet to file a tax return, such as newly created businesses.

Entering Stage 1 of Reopening the Province

Today, Ontario officially enters the first stage of its Framework for Reopening the Province. As part of this initial stage, the government is permitting the reopening of some outdoor recreational amenities, including outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields, off-leash dog areas, and outdoor picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks and recreational areas, effective as of Tuesday, May 19, 2020.

Outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, fitness equipment, public swimming pools, splash pads and similar outdoor water facilities will remain closed until later stages of the province’s reopening plan.

To ensure that individuals and families have safe access to outdoor spaces, it is critical they take everyday steps to reduce exposure to the virus, such as maintaining physical distancing by staying two metres apart from anyone outside of their household, washing hands regularly, and staying home if feeling unwell.

The government has also approved an exemption to the emergency order related to gatherings to allow Ontarians to attend drive-in religious gatherings, under certain conditions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The conditions include keeping vehicles two metres or more apart, only members of the same household can be in one vehicle, people will not be able to leave their vehicles, and no more than five people can conduct the service at one time from outside a motor vehicle and they must stay at least two metres apart.

On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government has extended all emergency orders that have been put in place to-date under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until May 29, 2020. The emergency orders include:

• Closure of Establishments
• Prohibiting Organized Public Events, Certain Gatherings
• Work Deployment Measures for Health Care Workers
• Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works
• Electronic Service
• Work Deployment Measures in Long -Term Care Homes
• Electricity Price for RPP Consumers
• Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses
• Traffic Management
• Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes
• Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Sales of Necessary Goods
• Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities
• Enforcement of Orders
• Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health
• Work Deployment Measures in Retirement Homes
• Access to COVID-19 Status Information by Specified Persons
• Service Agencies Providing Ser vices and Supports to Adults with Developmental Disabilities
• Pickup and Delivery of Cannabis
• Signatures in Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Use of Force and Firearms in Policing Services
• Child Care Fees
• Agreements Between Health Service Providers and Retirement Homes
• Temporary Health or Residential Facilities
• Closure of Public Lands for Recreational Camping
• Work Deployment Measures for Service Agencies Providing Violence Against Women Residential Services and Crisis Line Services
• Limiting Work to a Single Long-Term Care Home
• Work Deployment Measures for District Social Services Administration Boards
• Deployment of Employees of Service Provider Organizations
• Work Deployment Measures for Municipalities
• Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home
• Work Deployment Measures for Mental Health and Addictions Agencies
• Congregate Care Settings
• Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record
• Global Adjustment for Market Participants and Consumers
• Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death
• Hospital Credentialing Processes
• Education Sector
• Management of Long-term Care Homes in Outbreak

Extending these orders supports the government’s plan to cautiously and safely reopen businesses, services and amenities in a way that will enable the province to continue to protect the health and safety of Ontarians.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

As we enter into phase 1 of the COVID-19 pandemic and businesses are starting to re-open, there is a demand for PPE and other safety equipment to ensure that both your staff and clients are safe. Please use this list as guidance if you need help finding suppliers. Please note, the BIA is providing this list as a resource only and is in no way responsible for any issues with suppliers.

Local Ottawa Companies

Canadian Companies

What do you need?

If you are uncertain about what kind of PPE and equipment you will need, we encourage you to check out the Government of Ontario Guidelines for individual sectors. The provincial government are adding guidelines for additional sectors on a regular basis so check back often.

Ottawa Tourism Business Opportunity

Ottawa Tourism is launching a savings passport for locals with the goal of promoting spending and patronage at Ottawa businesses in order to help the local economy and tourism sector restart after COVID-19. The #MyOttawa Pass / Passeport #MonOttawa will be available electronically for smartphone users and is tentatively scheduled for launch June 3^rd to run for 3 months, reminding locals of all the great experiences Ottawa has to offer right here in their own backyard.

This #MyOttawa Pass / Passeport #MonOttawa offer is available to all businesses who play a role in Ottawa’s visitor economy to encourage economic recovery more broadly within our city. If you are a retailer, restaurant, attraction, entertainment venue, tour provider or other business engaged in creating memorable experiences for residents and visitors, we encourage you to consider participating in this exciting opportunity.

There is no cost to you to participate, however we do ask for some form of value-added incentive (such as through a special offer, coupon or discount) that you can provide passholders to encourage them to visit your business and spend money with you. This is very similar to traditional incentive approaches, with the key difference being that these are hyper-targeted, curated, and relevant to specific target audiences through a mobile-exclusive channel. The redemption process is very straightforward and is not meant to disrupt your current processes. A passholder would simply present the pass on their phone to redeem the given offer at your business.

BENEFITS OF A DIGITAL PASSPORT FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS

• Streamlined booking, purchase and redemption system for residents and visitors. 
• Digital, contactless process supports current physical distancing measures and expectations for both businesses and clients. 
• Combines our destination’s special offers into one central spot. 
• Is made available instantly on the passholder’s phone without them having to download anything.
• Passport allows businesses to cross-promote one another and promote the value of the tourism industry to residents. 

Ottawa Tourism is working with a company called Bandwango who will provide technical support for the program and oversee the use of the #MyOttawa Pass / Passeport #MonOttawa. Bandwango are industry leaders in digital experience-based passports and have already developed similar savings programs for other destinations with great success. 

For those who complete this form, Bandwango representatives will be reaching out to you in the coming weeks to help answer any questions and provide instructions for next steps to get your offers loaded onto the passport. 
 
The deadline to participate in the launch of the #MyOttawa Pass / Passeport #MonOttawa is Friday, May 22^nd to give us time to review your offers and finalize the pass before a tentative launch date of June 3^rd (this would be the earliest possible launch date, pending the province’s reopening dates). With your commitment and special offers, we believe that we can make our #MyOttawa Pass / Passeport #MonOttawa experience highly compelling to residents, helping to generate revenues at a time when every dollar counts. 

If you’d like to participate in the #MyOttawa Pass / Passeport #MonOttawa, please complete this quick 5-minute form.

May 16, 2020 Update

Support for Women Entrepreneurs

Minister Ng announced that the Government of Canada will provide $15 million in additional funding to support women entrepreneurs through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES). This money will go directly to select organizations that are currently WES Ecosystem Fund recipients and will help women entrepreneurs through the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the coming weeks, this investment will help thousands of women entrepreneurs and business owners navigate this crisis. It will help ensure women across the country—whether they’re a restaurant owner in Campbellton, New Brunswick, a manufacturer in Prince George, British Columbia, or a retailer in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut—get the support they need through things like business workshops, mentorship and skills training to adapt to a digital marketplace.

Empowering women-owned businesses across Canada remains a key priority, and the government will continue working hard to ensure women entrepreneurs are supported through the pandemic and into the economic recovery.

May 14, 2020 Update

Reopening businesses, services and public spaces

As the province of Ontario begins to reopen, many people are wondering about next steps and how their business fits into the 3 stages the province will follow to safely and gradually reopen the province.

Factors such as the risk of spreading COVID‑19 and the ability to implement protective and preventative measures in the workplace play a big part in the decision making. There are 6 principles that guide will guide the Province’s decisions.

The province of Ontario is  listening to people and businesses. They are looking for feedback on the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on your business. Your input will be shared with the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee and used to help make decisions about reopening our province and recovering following COVID-19.

You can submit your feedback here. The consultation closes on June 12, 2020.

The government and health and safety associations have released more than 90 safety guidance documents to assist employers in multiple sectors, including construction, retail, facilities maintenance and manufacturing. As new sectors of the economy begin to reopen, additional resources will be made available to help protect the safety of workers and the general public.

To support business-owners, workers and the economic recovery of the province, the government has launched a website to provide businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers. The Workplace PPE Supplier Directory has an up-to-date list of Ontario companies and business associations that are ready to supply personal protective equipment.

What’s currently open and closed?

Essential workplaces are businesses that are currently allowed to be open as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses that are not identified on this list must keep their physical place of business closed.

Some services are closed or have modified their hours or processes due to Ontario’s declaration of emergency. If you are looking for things like renewing your licence, obtaining a health card or booking an arbitration appointment, please see this webpage.

Changes to the list of essential businesses

On May 14, 2020, Ontario announced additional workplaces that can reopen. Starting at 12:01 AM Saturday, May 16, 2020, the following may open to the public as long as they follow health guidelines:

• Golf courses will be able to open, with clubhouses open only for washrooms and restaurants open only for take-out.
• Marinas, boat clubs and public boat launches may open for recreational use.
• Private parks and campgrounds may open to enable preparation for the season and to allow access for trailers and recreational vehicles whose owners have a full season contract.
• Businesses that board animals, such as stables, may allow boarders to visit, care for or ride their animal.

On Tuesday, May 19th, Ontario enters Stage 1 of the Framework for Reopening our Province. This means the following businesses will re-open if they are ready:

• Retail services that are not in shopping malls and have separate street-front entrances with measures in place that can enable physical distancing, such as limiting the number of customers in the store at any one time and booking appointments beforehand or on the spot.
• Seasonal businesses and recreational activities for individual or single competitors, including training and sport competitions conducted by a recognized national or provincial sport organization. This includes indoor and outdoor non-team sport competitions that can be played while maintaining physical distancing and without spectators, such as tennis, track and field and horse racing.
• Animal services, specifically pet care services, such as grooming and training, and regular veterinary appointments.
• Indoor and outdoor household services that can follow public health guidelines, such as housekeepers, cooks, cleaning and maintenance.
• Lifting essential workplace limits on construction.
• Allowing certain health and medical services to resume, such as in-person counselling and scheduled surgeries based on the ability to meet pre-specified conditions as outlined in A Measured Approach to Planning for Surgeries and Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as resuming professional services such as shifting Children’s Treatment Centres from virtual to in-person.

Starting Monday, May 11 at 12:01 a.m., all businesses may open to the public if they:

• use an alternative method of sale, such as curb side pick-up or delivery
• have a public entrance that opens onto a street or exterior sidewalk
• restrict public access to the store, except in exceptional circumstances

The following businesses may open for in-store payment and purchases:

• garden centres and nurseries, as of Friday, May 8, 2020
• hardware stores and safety supply stores, as of Saturday, May 9, 2020

By following the proper health and safety guidelines, the following businesses will be permitted to begin operations on Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m.:

• lawn care and landscaping
• essential construction projects, including:
  • shipping and logistics
  • broadband and digital infrastructure
  • municipal and schools
  • site preparation for institutional, commercial industrial or residential development
• automatic and self-serve car washes
• car dealerships, open by appointment only
• golf courses, only to may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public
• marinas, for servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, and for individuals to access their place of residence or their other property
  • boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed

If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, read the frequently asked questions or call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

The province has also done a great job developing some sector-specific-resources to protect workers, customers and the general public from COVID-19 as businesses start preparing to reopen their doors. As new sectors of the economy begin to reopen, additional COVID-19 workplace safety resources will be added.

May 12, 2020 Update

Open Letter to Orléans Landlords

This week MP Marie-France Lalonde​, MPP Stephen Blais, and Councillors Laura Dudas and Matthew Luloff​ urged Orléans landlords to work with their tenants to capitalize on the Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (OCECRA). Small businesses are at the Heart of our Orléans community. In this dire moment, our three levels of government are asking that landlords help ensure that as many small businesses as possible are able to ride out this pandemic.

To read the letter, click here.

May 11, 2020 Update

Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)

To help protect Canadian middle class jobs, and safeguard our economy, the Government of Canada has introduced the Large Employer emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF). The objective of this support is to help protect Canadian jobs, help Canadian businesses weather the current economic downturn, and avoid bankruptcies of otherwise viable firms where possible. This support will not be used to resolve insolvencies or restructure firms, nor will it provide financing to companies that otherwise have the capacity to manage through the crisis. The additional liquidity provided through LEEFF will allow Canada’s largest businesses and their suppliers to remain active during this difficult time, and position them for a rapid economic recovery. To help protect Canadian middle class jobs, and safeguard our economy, the Government of Canada will:

• Establish a Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) to provide bridge financing to Canada’s largest employers, whose needs during the pandemic are not being met through conventional financing, in order to keep their operations going.
• Use key guiding principles in providing support through the LEEFF, including:
  • Protection of taxpayers and workers: Companies seeking support must demonstrate how they intend to preserve employment and maintain investment activities. Recipients will need to commit to respect collective bargaining agreements and protect workers’ pensions. The LEEFF program will require strict limits to dividends, share buy-backs, and executive pay. In considering a company’s eligibility to assistance under the LEEFF program, an assessment may be made of its employment, tax, and economic activity in Canada, as well as its international organizational structure and financing arrangements. The program will not be available to companies that have been convicted of tax evasion. In addition, recipient companies would be required to commit to publish annual climate-related disclosure reports consistent with the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, including how their future operations will support environmental sustainability and national climate goals.
  • Fairness: To ensure support across the Canadian economy, the financing is intended to be applicable to all eligible sectors in a consistent manner.
  • Timeliness: To ensure timely support, the LEEFF program will apply a standard set of economic terms and conditions.
• Expand the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to mid-sized companies with larger financing needs. Support for mid-market businesses will include loans of up to $60 million per company, and guarantees of up to $80 million. Through the BCAP, Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with private sector lenders to support access to capital for Canadian businesses in all sectors and regions.
• Continue to provide financing to businesses through Farm Credit Canada, the BDC, and EDC, including through the Canada Account. This will ensure the government is able to respond to a wide range of financing needs, including for some large employers facing higher risks, with stricter terms in order to adequately protect taxpayers.

These measures are part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which has helped protect Canadian jobs, and committed billions in support to Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the pandemic. This includes an extension on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, which allows businesses to keep workers on the payroll. The government will continue to monitor and respond to the wide-ranging impacts of COVID-19, and take additional actions as needed to protect the health and safety of Canadians and stabilize the economy.

The Innovation Pilot Program (IPP)

Heads up #ottcity‘s business community! The Innovation Pilot Program (IPP) Economic Recovery Challenge 2020 is seeking innovative ideas that will help business operations safely resume and stimulate economic recovery. Propose your ideas by May 20th.

Take up the challenge! It is your opportunity to:

– Help Ottawa be a leader in innovation and economic recovery in the country;
– Give back to your community;
– Establish your brand as part of the country’s COVID-19 response.

Areas of focus include technology innovations for public health (e.g., health applications, temperature monitoring, sanitization, cleaning protocols) and economic recovery (e.g., click and collect, virtual work, remote operations, automation, density screening/planning, digital counter). Priority sectors include health, tourism, festivals and events, restaurants, retail, construction, transportation and food supply.

For more information, please refer to The City of Ottawa’s IPP website page.

Non-medical Masks and Face Coverings

Ottawa Public Health is encouraging the use of non-medical masks and face coverings in our community.

• Medical masks and N95 respirators should NOT be worn by healthy community members as they must be kept
for health care workers and others providing direct care to COVID-19 patients.
• Wearing a non-medical mask or face covering is NOT a replacement for physical distancing, hand washing,
and/or monitoring your health.
• Wearing non-medical mask or face covering may offer additional protection especially when physical distancing
is difficult to maintain (e.g. in a grocery store, on the bus) and may help protect others around you.
• Non-medical masks may include:
o Those that are made from cloth (for example cotton);
o Those that have pockets to insert filters; and,
o Those used to cover other masks or respirators to prolong usage.

A non-medical mask should be worn If you are:
• Ill and are coughing or sneezing, please wear a non-medical mask to protect those around you from getting sick. This is very important if you go to an appointment, clinic, or a hospital. Do not go to other public places when you are sick, even if you are wearing a mask. If you are seeking medical care, an appropriate medical/surgical mask will be provided. Follow the instructions given to you in the health care setting about how to remove and store your non medical mask.
• Visiting somewhere where physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as the grocery store, pharmacy, or public transit., as is now suggested by OC Transpo;
• Are caring for someone who is ill; and,
• Are taking care of someone who is coughing or sneezing, particularly if they are unable to wear a mask,. Both
the ill individual and the caregiver should wear a non-medical mask.

It is never appropriate to place a non-medical mask or facial covering on young children under age 2, anyone who has
trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

For further information on wearing a mask and a list of Canada-based vendors producing masks please see Ottawa Public Health’s overview. For more information on physical distancing and hand hygiene for children, please visit Ottawa Public Health.

May 10, 2020

It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or worried during a pandemic. Please take care of yourself and if you are feeling overwhelmed, seek support from your primary health care provider or a mental health professional.

People react in many different ways during a times of uncertainty. Some common feelings include:

• a sense of being socially excluded or judged
• concern about your children’s education and well-being
• fear of getting sick with COVID-19 or of making others sick
• worry about losing your job, not being able to work or finances
• fear of being apart from loved ones due to isolation or physical distancing
• helplessness, boredom, loneliness and depression due to isolation or physical distancing

Taking care of our mental health is very important – especially during a pandemic. Please have a peek here for the various resources available to all of us.

May 9, 2020 Update

The Ontario government is opening provincial parks and conservation reserves for limited day-use access.

• Monday May 11, 2020 – 520 provincial parks and conservation reserves across the province will open.
• Friday May 15, 2020 – The remaining 115 provincial parks and conservation reserves will open.

At this time, recreational activities will be limited to walking, hiking, biking and birdwatching. Day visitors will also be able to access all parks and conservation reserves for free until the end of the month. Camping and other activities are not permitted at any provincial park or conservation reserve. All buildings and facilities including washrooms, water taps, campgrounds, backcountry campsites, roofed accommodations, playgrounds, and beaches continue to be closed.

Before planning your trip, please visit www.ontarioparks.com/park-locator to check the status of your local provincial park.

May 8, 2020 Update

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that all provinces and territories have confirmed, or are in the process of confirming, plans to cost share wage top-ups for their essential workers.

The Government of Canada will provide up to $3 billion in support to increase the wages of low-income essential workers. Each province or territory will determine which workers would be eligible for support, and how much support they will receive.

The Ontario government continues to prepare for the next phase of restarting the provincial economy through the implementation of its Framework for Reopening our Province. At the same time, the government has been supporting struggling business owners directly impacted by COVID-19 by providing tax deferrals and commercial rent relief, and by removing regulatory roadblocks.

Over the past week, the Ontario government has begun easing restrictions on workplaces that can operate safely by following public health and safety guidelines. On May 8th, garden centres and nurseries will be able to open for in-store payment and purchases. Hardware stores and safety supply stores will be permitted to open for in-store payment and purchases as soon as 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.  On Monday at 12:01 a.m., non-essential retail stores with a street entrance can begin offering curbside pickup and delivery.

These actions come as the province continues to face the unprecedented economic situation created by the COVID-19 outbreak. Today, Statistics Canada released its monthly job numbers, which showed a 689,200 decrease in employment in Ontario.

The province is also providing $241 million of a total $900 million to the new Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (OCECRA), with contributions from the federal government, to deliver relief to small businesses and ensure they are ready to reopen their doors when the emergency measures are lifted.

Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 also includes $10 billion in support for people and businesses to improve cash flows by providing a five-month penalty and interest-free period to make payments for the majority of provincially administered taxes, deferring the upcoming quarterly municipal remittance of education property tax, and providing up to $1.9 billion in financial relief by allowing employers to defer Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) payments for up to six months.

In order to make life easier for businesses faced with the unique challenges created by the global outbreak, the Ontario government has launched the COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers online portal. Businesses working to retool their operations to produce health-related products, or those struggling to operate in this new environment of physical distancing, can submit any potential roadblocks and suggest possible solutions through the website.

“Clearly, it is not business as usual for anyone, we understand that and we want to help,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. “Our government is prepared to temporarily adjust our processes, rules, and regulations to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. I encourage everyone to visit the website to identify barriers or suggest solutions so we can get the economy up and running, and people back to work, as soon as possible.”

May 7, 2020 Update

Ontario Eases Restrictions on Retail Stores and Essential Construction

The Ontario government is allowing all retail stores with a street entrance to provide curbside pickup and delivery, as well as in-store payment and purchases at garden centres, nurseries, hardware stores and safety supply stores. The business owners should review the health and safety guidelines developed by the province and its health and safety association partners.

• Friday, May 8 at 12:01 a.m. – Garden centres and nurseries will be able to open for in-store payment and purchases, operating under the same guidelines as grocery stores and pharmacies.
• Saturday, May 9 at 12:01 a.m. – Hardware stores and safety supply stores will be permitted to open for in-store payment and purchases.
• Monday, May 11 at 12:01 a.m. – Retail stores with a street entrance can begin offering curbside pickup and delivery, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s Guidance Document for Essential Workplaces and occupational health and safety requirements.

In addition to easing restrictions on retail, the Ontario government is also expanding essential construction to allow below-grade multi-unit residential construction projects like apartments and condominiums to begin and existing above-grade projects to continue. This will help clear the way for the housing and jobs our economy will need to support economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Businesses must follow public health measures and should review the workplace safety guidelines, such as promoting physical distancing and frequent handwashing, sanitizing surfaces, installing physical barriers, staggering shifts, and using contactless payment options to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The City opens parks with some restrictions

Effective immediately, individuals and families can enjoy fresh air and some outdoor activities in City parks. Everyone must also comply with current prohibitions under the Provincial Emergency Orders, including the prohibition on organized public events, gatherings of more than five people, and entry to and use of certain outdoor recreational amenities.

Examples of permitted activities for individuals in groups of up to five people or members from the same household include:

• Playing catch, kicking a soccer ball and throwing a football
• Flying a kite
• Sitting on a blanket, grass or lawn chair
• Exercising and stretching on a yoga mat, but not in a class
• Letting young children run and burn off some energy

If you are not with members of your own family, the Provincial Orders continue to restrict events and gatherings of more than five people and continue to prohibit the entry onto or use of all sports fields and courts. Please continue to avoid the following:

• Football and soccer fields
• Ball diamonds
• Tennis courts and basketball courts
• BMX and skate/board parks
• All play structures and playgrounds
• Swings
• Benches
• Picnic tables
• Shelters
• Off-leash dog parks

In addition, prohibited park use extends to all organized sporting activities and training, such as football, softball, ball hockey, soccer, ultimate frisbee and basketball – even if they are not being played on a court or sports field, as these activities do not allow for proper physical distancing.

Also in accordance with the Provincial Orders, boat launches in parks remain closed and seasonal docks will not yet been installed. Launching any form of watercraft from any City park or beach remains prohibited for canoeists, kayakers and other watercraft enthusiasts.

May 6, 2020 Update

The Ontario government is extending emergency electricity rate relief to families, farms and small businesses until May 31, 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak. Customers who pay time-of-use electricity rates will continue to be billed at the lowest price, known as the off-peak price, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This electricity rate relief, initially provided for a 45-day period starting on March 24, 2020, has been extended by an emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The rate relief is intended to be in place for an additional 24 days.  

“During this extraordinary period, many people are struggling to pay the bills as they do the right thing by staying at home, as well as our farmers and those whose businesses have closed or suffered reduced customer traffic,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Although we are making progress in our fight against this COVID-19 outbreak, we are not out of the woods yet. The extension of this electricity rate relief will leave more money in people’s pockets until businesses can start to reopen and people can get back to work.”

On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government is also extending all emergency orders that have been put in place to-date under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until May 19, 2020. The emergency orders include:

• Closure of Establishments
• Prohibiting Organized Public Events, Certain Gatherings
• Work Deployment Measures for Health Care Workers
• Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works
• Electronic Service
• Work Deployment Measures in Long -Term Care Homes
• Electricity Price for RPP Consumers
• Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses
• Traffic Management
• Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes
• Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Sales of Necessary Good
• Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities
• Enforcement of Orders
• Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health
• Work Deployment Measures in Retirement Homes
• Access to COVID-19 Status Information by Specified Persons
• Service Agencies Providing Services and Supports to Adults with Developmental Disabilities< /a>
• Pickup and Delivery of Cannabis
• Signatures in Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Use of Force and Firearms in Policing Services
• Child Care Fees
• Agreements Between Health Service Providers and Retirement Homes
• Temporary Heal th or Residential Facilities
• Closure of Public Lands for Recreational Camping
• Work Deployment Measures for Service Agencies Providing Violence Against Women Residential Services and Crisis Line Services
• Limiting Work to a Single Long-Term Care Home
• Work Deployment Measures for District Social Services Administration Boards
• Deployment of Employee s of Service Provider Organizations
• Work Deployment Measures for Municipalities
• Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home
• Work Deployment Measures for Mental Health and Addictions Agencies
• Congregate Care Settings
• Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record
• Global Adjustment for Market Participants and Consumers
• Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death
• Hospital Credentialing Processes

Flying within Canada

All passengers flying within Canada will be subject to a health check prior to boarding. You will not be permitted to board if you show any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID-19 or are subject to a provincial or local public health order.

Full details can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html#domestic

May 3, 2020 Update

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Government will invest $240.5 million to develop, expand, and launch virtual care and mental health tools to support Canadians.

Working with provinces, territories, and stakeholders, this investment will be used to create digital platforms and applications, improve access to virtual mental health supports, and expand capacity to deliver health care virtually, including projects to reach vulnerable Canadians. These supports will also help ease the burden on our health care system, as we continue to deal with COVID-19. This investment will:

• help Canadians safely engage with their regular health providers and specialist health services through telephone, text, or video-conferencing;
• support access to mental health supports and reliable health information in a safe and secure manner, which will reduce the pressure on our health system;
• help governments, public health officials, hospitals, and health care facilities make evidence-based decisions; and
• support federal, provincial, and territorial initiatives in collaboration with innovators, health stakeholders, and organizations like Canada Health Infoway, to expand virtual health services to Canadians.

This investment will support the newly created Wellness Together Canada, an online portal that provides Canadians with free resources, tools, and professional support services to help with wellness and resilience, as well as mental health and substance use. It will also support a growing family of digital products that includes the Canada COVID-19 app, which helps people track their symptoms, receive the latest updates, and access trusted resources.

May 1, 2020 Update

The Premier announced today that Ontario government is allowing certain businesses and workplaces to reopen as of 12:01 AM Monday, May 4, 2020 as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak: 

• Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only;
• Lawn care and landscaping;
• Additional essential construction projects that include:
  • shipping and logistics;
  • broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure;
  • any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services;
  • municipal projects;
  • colleges and universities;
  • child care centres;
  • schools; and
  • site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development;
• Automatic and self-serve car washes;
• Auto dealerships, open by appointment only;
• Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public; and
• Marinas may also 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.

As we enter stage 1 of the Framework for Reopening our Province, health and safety remain to be the number one concern while balancing the needs of people and businesses.

April 28, 2020 Update

Today, the federal government reminded us that today is the National Day of Mourning. Every year we remember those that have died, were injured, or became ill from their work. This year, we recognize the thousands of Canadians who continue to provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. They go to work so that we can put food on the table for our families, get the prescriptions we need to stay healthy, and access the services we need to be well.

In an attempt to keep them safe and healthy, the government has worked with their labour and industry partners to ensure the right resources, like additional sector-specific best practices, are in place, and offering a number of online courses and resources related to COVID-19 free of charge through the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

Employers should definitely have a peek at these tools and strive to go above and beyond standard health and safety measures to make sure that workers are safe during these unprecedented times.

The Ontario government announced the the launch of the COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers website to help businesses overcome the unique challenges created by the global pandemic. Businesses working to revamp their operations to produce health-related products, or those that want to continue their operations while physical distancing, can submit any potential roadblocks to this website. The province is prepared to allow temporary changes to provincial rules and regulations in order to remove any barriers that are hindering business and negatively impacting Ontario’s supply chain.

April 27, 2020 Update

Today, the Ontario government released A Framework for Reopening our Province, which outlines the criteria Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts will use to advise the government on the loosening of emergency measures, as well as guiding principles for the safe, gradual reopening of businesses, services and public spaces. 

Reopening will be gradual and occur in stages. There will be two-to-four weeks between the launch of each stage to allow health officials to assess conditions before moving to the next one. This will determine if measures should be adjusted, loosened or tightened. This approach will enable the government to ensure there are appropriate measures in place to open safely and limit health risks. Everyday actions to protect your health, like physical distancing, frequent hand washing and staying home when ill, will continue through each stage.

Stage 1

In the first stage, they will consider:

• opening select workplaces that can meet current public health guidelines
• allowing essential gatherings of a limited number of people
• opening some outdoor spaces
• continued protections for vulnerable populations

Stage 2

In the second stage, they will consider:

• opening more workplaces with significant mitigation plans
• opening more public spaces
• allowing some larger public gatherings
• continued protections for vulnerable populations

Stage 3

In the final stage, they will consider:

• opening all workplaces responsibly
• relaxing restrictions on public gatherings
• continued protections for vulnerable populations

For further details, please see A Framework for Reopening our Province released by the Ontario Government.

April 24, 2020 Update

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that the federal government has reached an agreement with all provinces and territories to implement the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. This program will lower rent by 75% for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.

Who is Eligible?

Impacted small business tenants are businesses paying less than $50,000 per month in rent and who have temporarily ceased operations or have experienced at least a 70 per cent drop in pre-COVID-19 revenues. This support will also be available to non-profit and charitable organizations.

How does it work?

Under a rent forgiveness agreement, which includes an agreement prohibiting eviction, the mortgaged commercial property owner would reduce the small business tenant’s monthly rent by at least 75%. The tenant would be responsible for covering 25%, the property owner 25%, while the federal government and provinces would share the remaining 50%. The forgivable loans would be disbursed directly to the mortgage lender.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will administer and deliver the CECRA, a collaboration between the federal government and provincial and territorial governments, which are responsible for property owner-tenant relationships. 

It is expected that CECRA will be operational by mid-May, with commercial property owners lowering the rents of their small business tenants payable for the months of April and May, retroactively, and for June.

Further details on CECRA will be shared by the government in the near future once final terms and conditions are available. The federal government and provincial and territorial governments urge property owners to provide flexibility to tenants facing hardship in this uncertain time.

April 16, 2020 Update

The new Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced. The Prime Minister announced today that they will change the eligibility criteria to allow more access. A business who has spent between 20k and 1.5 million in total payroll will now be eligible to take advantage of this program.

Mr. Trudeau also announced the creation of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program which would provide support to help small businesses with their rent for April, May and June. There is more work required with the provinces to implement the program but help is coming soon.

April 15, 2020 Update

The Federal government had previously introduced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – a taxable benefit of $2,000 every four weeks for up to four months for eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19.

Today the Prime Minister announced that the government is stepping up to better support those who need help but don’t qualify for the CERB, and Canadians working in essential jobs who make less than they would if they received the benefit.

To help more Canadians benefit from the CERB, the government will be changing the eligibility rules to:

• Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
• Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their usual seasonal work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Extend the CERB to workers who recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19.

There are many essential workers such as those on the front-line in hospitals and nursing homes, those ensuring the integrity of the food supply, or providing essential retail services to Canadians whose salaries are less or similar to what others are receiving from the CERB. In recognition of these low-income workers who make less than $2500 a month, the government will work with provinces and territories through a new transfer to cost-share a temporary top-up to their salaries. Mr. Trudeau promised more details following further work with provinces and territories.

New Wellness Portal – Wellness Together Canada

Recognizing the impacts of COVID-19 on individuals and families across the country, the Minister of Health, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, launched a new portal dedicated to mental wellness on Canada.ca/coronavirus and the Canada COVID-19 app. Wellness Together Canada will connect Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls, and will make it easier to find credible information and help address mental health and substance use issues.

Wellness Together Canada is the first and only mental health platform of its kind for people of all ages, in every province and territory.

April 14, 2020 Update

On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and with the approval of the Ontario legislature, the Ontario government has extended the Declaration of Emergency for 28 more days to May 12, 2020.

The extension allows Ontario to continue to enforce current emergency orders, such as the closure of all non-essential workplaces, outdoor amenities such as parks and recreational areas, public places and bars and restaurants, as well as restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people, and prohibitions against price-gouging. A full list of emergency orders can be found on the e-Laws website under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

April 8, 2020 Update

The Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act

There has been some confusion around what is allowed and not allowed right now during the COVID-19 pandemic so we thought we would lay it all out here. In order to effectively flatten the curve, as you know, last week the Province of Ontario closed all non-essential businesses and limited gatherings to less than 5 people. The City of Ottawa also closed all parks, play structures, skateboard parks and off-leash dog enclosures. 

The Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act prohibits:

• gatherings of people;
• restaurants offering customers dine-in options;
• businesses remaining open without an exemption and;
• gatherings in city parks, including the use of play structures and sports fields.

At first both the Ottawa Police and By-Law Officers took an educational approach but with some of the community ignoring or perhaps not fully understanding the rules, they have had to implement a more aggressive approach to ensuring people work together to flatten the curve of the coronavirus.

In response to the continued use of public parks throughout the City of Ottawa, By-law officers will now be issuing fines. To those that are willfully breaking the law, these fines may be upwards of $880 to $10,000 for individuals; $500,000 for corporate directors and $10 million for corporations. Fines of $1130 can also be given to individuals for obstructing a By-law officer from enforcing the prohibitions.

Gatherings of People

The province of Ontario has prohibited organized public events and social gatherings of more than five people. What does this mean?

• Organized public events including parades, weddings, social gatherings and communal services within places of worship are NOT allowed.
• This order would not apply to private households with five people or more.
• This order would not apply to  operating child care centres supporting frontline health care workers and first responders provided the number of persons at each centre does not exceed 50 people.
• Funerals would be permitted to proceed with up to 10 people at one time.

Restaurants

As the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise across the province, Ontario health officials recommended the temporary closure of all dine-in restaurants and bars to prevent the spread of the virus. As such, the province has ordered all dine-in restaurants close. What does this mean? Restaurants can offer take-out, drive-through and delivery services only.

Businesses

Businesses that are on the Province of Ontario’s List of Essential Workplaces are allowed to remain open. All other business should be closed until further notice. The province updated this list on April 3 under the advice of Ontario’s Chief Officer Medical of Health. If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Parks

A Provincial order has been issued closing ALL outdoor recreational amenities. This means you MAY NOT use ANY parks for ANY purpose. We are fortunate that the city of Ottawa is allowing one exemption so we can continue to exercise while physically distancing from each other. You may walk run or bike through the park on the paths, but that is it.

• You CAN walk through the park alone
• You CAN walk through the park with those that live with you in your household.
• You CAN pass others keeping a safe distance of 2 meters.
• You CAN NOT stop and chat with anyone, even if you are 2 meters away from each other. Please just nod, wave or say a quick hello as you pass by.
• You CAN NOT sit on a park bench as they are not cleaned and therefore not safe.
• You CAN NOT let your kids play in the park on structures or even on the grass. It is not safe.
• You CAN NOT play sports in the park, on the courts or fields.
• You CAN NOT have a picnic in the park.
• You CAN bring your dog for a walk through the parks that allow dogs.
• You CAN NOT let your dog off leash to run around. You must keep them with you as you walk through the park.

Please respect this Provincial order. We do not want parks to be totally off limits. Nor do we want to see folks being fined. If we all work together, this will be over a little sooner. Stay safe and help us flatten the curve.

Who do I call?

April 7, 2020 Update

Do you have your business on these directories?

1. The Heart of Orléans Directory – If you are a business within the Heart of Orléans District and not already in this directory, you will want to be added. Please contact the BIA with your company’s information.
2. The Heart of Orléans Businesses Open During COVID-19 Directory – If you are located in the Heart of Orléans district and are open during COVID-19, please contact the BIA with your company’s information.
3. Shop Ottawa(link is external) is an online directory of local Ottawa businesses, products and services.
4. Local Eats Ottawa(link is external) offers a compiled list of Ottawa restaurants offering food delivery or pickup.
5. SavourOttawa.ca(link is external) - your one-stop site on how to buy locally produced food and beverages in the Ottawa region.
6. Connecting with Local Businesses Directory – If your business remains open during COVID-19, The Ottawa Citizen is launching a free directory to assist you by informing the public about the services you’re offering. To get your business on the directory, please complete this form.

April 2, 2020 Update

With the increase of Ottawa cases of COVID-19, we need to ensure we are either practicing physical (social) distancing or self-isolation if applicable. The actions we take now will dictate our future. Please stay home.

With COVID-19 information rapidly changing – sometimes hourly, we thought we would take a minute to talk about the state of the nation.

Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) assessed COVID-19 as a pandemic. As of April 2, 2020, there were 10,132 cases in Canada and 2793 in Ontario and as of April 1st there is 194 in Ottawa but this number is going up quickly.

State of Emergency

On March 17th, the Province of Ontario enacted a declaration of emergency to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public. The Province of Ontario has since closed at-risk workplaces on March 24th and created a list of essential workplaces.

Travel advisory

An official global travel advisory is in effect: Avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice. In addition, a pandemic COVID-19 travel health notice with travel health advice for Canadians has also been issued.

Canadian Borders

As of March 21, 2020, there is a 30-day restriction on all non-essential travel at the Canada-U.S. border. This restriction covers all travel of an optional nature, such as:

• tourism
• recreation
• entertainment

Federal Response Plan – The entire response plan can be found here.

Some Highlights:

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) – The federal Government  established a Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to provide $65 billion of additional support through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC). For the larger scale business sectors, the BDC and EDC are working with private sector lenders to coordinate on credit solutions for individual businesses, including in sectors such as oil and gas, air transportation, exportation and tourism.

Canada Emergency Business Account – The new Canada Emergency Business Account will provide interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced. To qualify, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $50,000 to $1 million in total payroll in 2019. The loans will be interest-free for the first year and up to $10,000 can be waived for repayment.

Wage Subsidy – The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy is a federal benefit that will pay 75 per cent of struggling companies’ wages, up to $847 per week for each worker in order to keep their employees on payroll. This program includes all organizations, small businesses, charities & NGO’s, restaurants and large corporations. The program is expected to last three months but could be modified as the needs change. Employees that receive this subsidy, will have their employer to cover the remaining 25 per cent of a worker’s wage if possible, but they cannot apply for other unemployment benefits. 

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – The CERB pays a monthly $2,000 payment to workers who wouldn’t otherwise be eligible for employment insurance. This includes wage earners, contract workers, or self-employed individuals; those who’ve had to stay home without pay to self-isolate or care for loved ones; and anyone else who hasn’t been permanently laid off, but has stopped receiving pay cheques. Any Canadian who has stopped working for a 14-day period due to COVID-19 can qualify for the new benefit, which covers a period of up to 16 weeks. Applications open online and by phone on Monday, April 6, with payments to arrive within five days for direct deposits and within 10 days for cheques by mail.

Deferral of GST/HST –  Remittances of the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) and payments of customs duties due in March, April and May may now be deferred, until the end of June 2020. This will provide over 3.2 million businesses and self-employed Canadians with the cash to continue operating.

Work Sharing (WS) – Work-Sharing is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The Government of Canada introduced temporary special measures that extend the maximum duration of Work-Sharing agreements from 38 weeks to 76 weeks across Canada for those businesses affected by the downturn in business due to COVID-19

Employment Insurance (EI) – Any of the 1.3 million Canadians who have applied for EI benefits within the last two weeks and been approved will be moved over to the new emergency benefit when it becomes available. Benefits for those workers who applied for EI on or after March 15 will mirror CERB payments for the first 16 weeks.

That means Canadians who would have received EI benefits below the $2,000-per-month threshold will now be bumped up to the maximum payment. Those who would normally qualify for more than $500 per week in employment insurance (the maximum benefit is $573 per week) will instead receive the CERB payment of $2,000.

EI-eligible workers will still qualify for their usual benefits, whether lower or higher than $2000-per-month, after the four-month CERB period. Canadians who were already receiving EI will continue to do so and need not apply to the CERB, but can switch to the program if their EI benefits end before October if they remain jobless due to COVID-19. The government says EI-eligible workers should apply for EI now rather than wait for the CERB application to come online on April 6.

These programs can be applied for online but be sure to have all your personal information with you including your Record of Employment for those in layoff positions. Also be sure to be patient as this will take some time. 

Provincial Response Plan – The entire Provincial Response Plan can be found here.

Some highlights:

Business Provincial Assistance

Tax Filing – On March 25, 2020, the Ontario government announced a five-month relief period for Ontario businesses who are unable to file or remit select provincial taxes on time, due to the special circumstances caused by the coronavirus (COVID‑19) in Ontario.

Deferring the upcoming quarterly (June 30) remittance of education property tax to school boards by 90 days. This will provide municipalities with the flexibility to, in turn, provide property tax deferrals of over $1.8 billion to local residents and businesses while ensuring school boards receive their funding.

Providing up to $1.9 billion in financial relief by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) allowing employers to defer payments for up to six months.

City of Ottawa Response Plan – The entire City of Ottawa response plan can be found here.

Some highlights:

Business City Assistance

Property Tax Hardship Deferral Program – The City is offering a Property Tax Hardship Deferral Program for City of Ottawa residential property owners and small business property owners (assessed property value of up to $7.5 M) that have been financially affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Water Bill Relief – Revenue Services is extending an interest free 30-day payment grace period for all unpaid bills issued before April 1, 2020 and a 30-day due date extension, for all water bills issued between April 1, 2020 and October 30, 2020, providing residents with 47 days to pay their bill. 

Member Assistance

Economic Partners Task Force

On March 16, Mayor Jim Watson struck an Economic Partners Task Force, co-chaired by Councillor El-Chantiry, with partners from key local business organizations:

• Mark Kaluski, Chair, Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)
• Sueling Ching, President and CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade
• Lise Sarazin, directrice générale, Regroupement des gens d’affaires (RGA)
• Michael Crockatt, President and CEO, Ottawa Tourism
• Carole Anne Piccinin, Executive Director, Ottawa Festival Network
• Michael Tremblay, President and CEO, Invest Ottawa

The City of Ottawa, through this task force, will continue to identify emerging business issues and opportunities to support our local economy now and in the months ahead.

Ottawa’s small and locally owned businesses are woven into the fabric of our city. To help you support them during these challenging times, they’ve assembled useful links and resources on this page. Please add your businesses to these directories:

Shop Ottawa

Shop Ottawa(link is external) is an online directory of local businesses, products and services.

Local Eats Ottawa

Local Eats Ottawa(link is external) offers a compiled list of Ottawa restaurants offering food delivery or pickup.

Savour Ottawa

SavourOttawa.ca(link is external) - your one-stop site on how to buy locally produced food and beverages in the Ottawa region.

Online Store, Payment Processing and/or Delivery Process Set Up – Is your company weathering the COVID-19 crisis? Do you need help getting your business to work in an online environment? Terradare Solutions is a local Ottawa business that provides services to clients locally and internationally. They provide automation, cloud services and creative technology solutions to help their clients increase their efficiencies through the use of technology and sound business processes. Given the current climate, businesses are having to think strategically, re-tool and pivot to ensure that their business both stays a float and provides ongoing revenue. We encourage you to reach out to Terradare for a complimentary call to find out how they might assist you with your online technology requirements i.e. setting up or refining an online store, payment processing, delivery process etc. To schedule a call, send an email to Nicole Darechuk at [email protected] or submit a request direct through the Terradare Solutions Website.

Free 1/2 Hour Coaching Session – Catherine Fair, Master Coach from Rhapsody Strategies is offering a FREE 1/2 hour chat with Heart of Orléans BIA businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rhapsody Strategies , an award winning business coaching firm based in Ottawa, has worked extensively with BIA’s and Chambers throughout Ontario.  They either have in the past or are currently working with The Heart of Orléans, Barrhaven, Downtown Rideau, Kitchener and Newmarket BIA’s as well as with numerous chambers of commerce.  Their work typically involves developing board-wide strategic plans along with committee-specific strategies.

Heart of Orléans Town Hall – SAVE THE DATE : Apr 9, 2020 at 1 PM – 2 PM – We will be hosting a Town Hall via ZOOM Meeting for the Heart of Orleans business membership. It’s an opportunity for business owners to gather via video to talk about the main concerns they are facing during this crisis and some of the best practices they have implemented to support their business, their employees and their clients. Our host, Catherine Fair from Rhapsody Strategies (see notes below) will be focusing on what is within your control and how to land on sure footing after this crisis has passed.

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/5082042441 Meeting ID: 508 204 2441

Rhapsody Strategies , an award winning business coaching firm based in Ottawa, has worked extensively with BIA’s and Chambers throughout Ontario.  They either have in the past or are currently working with The Heart of Orléans, Barrhaven, Downtown Rideau, Kitchener and Newmarket BIA’s as well as with numerous chambers of commerce.  Their work typically involves developing board-wide strategic plans along with committee-specific strategies.

They understand some of the unique challenges that small business associations can have in staying clear on their mandate.  They believe that having help in finding ways to get better engagement from both the volunteer board as well as the membership as a whole is essential to long-term success.

Rhapsody’s coaches work with business owners in one-on-one settings to help them realize their true business and personal potential.  Business owners who find that the phrase “You’re meant for more” resonates with them, are typical Rhapsody Strategies’ clients.”

Google My Business – Postmedia solutions has graciously offered some tricks to update your Google My Business listing in response to COVID-19. Also, to help serve our communities and local businesses, the Ottawa Citizen is launching a free “Connecting with Local Businesses” directory. If your business remains open they would like to assist you by informing the public about the services you’re offering. To get your business on the directory, please complete this form.

April 1, 2020 Update

News Release from the Premier:

Ontario Joins Forces with the Private Sector to Fight COVID-19

New $50 million Ontario Together Fund will support the development of essential equipment and supplies

April 1, 2020 1:15 P.M.

Office of the Premier

TORONTO ― To stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep people safe, the Ontario government is launching a new $50 million Ontario Together Fund to help businesses provide innovative solutions or retool their operations in order to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment, including gowns, coveralls, masks, face shields, testing equipment and ventilators. This new Fund will support the development of proposals submitted by businesses and individuals through the Ontario Together web portal.

The announcement was made today by Premier Doug Ford, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

“Ontario has an army of innovators, entrepreneurs, and the hardest-working people in the world ready to roll up their sleeves, support our frontline healthcare workers, and beat this virus,” said Premier Ford. “This mass mobilization of government, business, communities and private citizens to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep people safe and healthy represents one of the largest and most ambitious efforts undertaken by Ontario in generations.”

In addition, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade have worked closely with businesses across Ontario and the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association to ramp up production of ventilators to meet the need in Ontario and other parts of Canada. The government has recently placed an order with O-Two Medical Technologies who, with the support of Ontario’s world-class manufacturing sector, will produce 10,000 ventilator units.

“Our government is taking extraordinary measures to support businesses and organizations that are responding to COVID-19,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “It’s inspiring to see the Ontario business community respond to the call to action. Through the Ontario Together web portal and the Ontario Together Fund, we are making sure that companies have the resources and support they need to supply emergency products and innovative solutions quickly and efficiently to help address this challenging time together.”

The government will be looking for the most viable, innovative proposals that can quickly provide critical goods and services and the greatest benefit to the people of Ontario. The government is providing one-time funding of $50 million in 2020-21 during the COVID-19 outbreak. It is time-limited and will be available to companies and organizations across the province.

“The fight against COVID-19 presents significant challenges for small businesses, but their strength and ingenuity are key to weathering this storm,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. “The Ontario Action Plan gives families and small businesses the supports they need. Ontario Together will link the resources of government with the capacity and #OntarioSpirit of our small businesses ― to manufacture the resources Ontario needs.”

“Only by working together and harnessing the full potential of Ontario’s innovators will we be able to confront the growing challenge of COVID-19,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “The Ontario Together Fund will help enable our business community to provide the supplies and equipment our frontline heroes need as they continue to keep Ontarians safe.”

1. All businesses can defer their income tax payments that become owing on or after March17 and before September 2020, and are able to pay it after August 31, 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. 
2. As announced on March 13, a new Business Credit Availability Program will provide support to small, medium and large businesses experiencing cash flow challenges through the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada. 
3. An Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks to provide income support to workers who must stay home and do not have access to paid sick leave. This will become available in April through the CRA website and will include:

• Workers, including the self-employed, who are sick, quarantined, or who have been directed to self-isolate but do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.
• Workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent or other dependents who are sick, but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits.

March 30, 2020 Update

The Government of Canada has announced 3 elements that will ensure we our economy is well positioned to recover from COVID-19 :

1. A 75% wage subsidy for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This will help businesses to keep and return workers to the payroll. The Government will provide workers with 75% of their salary on the first $58,700 earned. An employee will earn up to $847/week. If a business has the ability to pay their employee the remaining 25%, they should consider doing so. If a business has laid off their employees, every effort should be made to rehire them. Businesses that are eligible for the new Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy include:
   • Those with a decreased revenue of 30%
   • Businesses of all sizes. The number of employees will not determine eligibility.
   • Non-profit and charities
2. The new Canada Emergency Business Account that will provide up to $25 billion to eligible financial institutions so they can provide interest-free loans for up to $40,000 to small businesses. These loans – guaranteed and funded by the Government of Canada – will ensure that small businesses have access to the capital they need, at a zero % interest rate, so they can pay for rent and other important costs over the next number of months.
3. Programs to help with cash flow such as:
   • The new Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan and Guarantee program that will enable up to $40 billion in lending, supported through Export Development Canada and Business Development Bank, for guaranteed loans when small businesses go to their financial institutions to help weather the impacts of COVID-19. This is intended for small and medium-sized companies that require greater help to meet their operational cash flow requirements.
   • Allowing businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) payments until June, as well as customs duties owed for imports. This measure is the equivalent of providing up to $30 billion in interest-free loans to Canadian businesses. It will help businesses so they can continue to pay their employees and their bills, and help ease cash-flow challenges across the country.

The Government of Canada understands that some sectors have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They will continue to carefully monitor all developments, and take further action as required. We’re all in this together, and the Government of Canada will continue to work around the clock to ensure all Canadians and small businesses get the support they need to weather this crisis.

March 26, 2020 Update

Economic Partners Task Force

Some good news! Following a call with the Chair of the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas (OCOBIA), the Ottawa Board of Trade, le Regroupement des gens d’affaires, Ottawa Tourism and Ottawa Festival Network, Mayor Watson has created an Economic Partners Task Force, which he will co-chair with Councillor El-Chantiry, a former small business owner and the Mayor’s representative with BIAs. The Task Force will advise city staff in many departments on how they can help the business community as the pandemic evolves.

The Economic Partners Task Force will be composed of the following leaders of our business community:

• Mark Kaluski, Chair, Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas (Representing all BIAs)
• Sueling Ching, President and CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade
• Lise Sarazin, directrice générale, Regroupement des gens d’affaires (RGA)
• Michael Crockatt, President and CEO, Ottawa Tourism
• Carole Anne Piccinin, Executive Director, Ottawa Festival Network
• Michael Tremblay, President and CEO, Invest Ottawa

City staff are currently assessing ways the City can help small business owners get through this crisis. The Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development team will be leading this initiative and working with the Task Force to maintain open lines of communication, as well as assess and roll-out a number of measures to support locally-owned shops and restaurants.

We look forward to seeing some quick results from this task force.

Income Replacement Funds For Families and Businesses

Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau unveiled a new income replacement fund for people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic at a press conference on Wednesday. The program will provide $2,000 a month to individuals who have lost income due to the coronavirus. The added measures will bring the value of the total package to $107 billion, the government said Wednesday, up from $82 billion initially announced last week. 

Payments would run for as long as four months, and can be claimed by people regardless of whether they are eligible to receive unemployment benefits. The self-employed can also apply. This is a consolidation of existing programs announced last week, and broadened out to include people who are waiting for employment insurance claims to be processed. 

All Canadians who have ceased working due to COVID-19, whether they are EI-eligible or not, would be able to receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or CERB  to ensure they have timely access to the income support they need.

The Program  will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to:

• workers who must stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
• workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
• working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
• workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
• wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.

How can we help our local Orléans, Ottawa small businesses now?

During these uncertain times, please continue to support the small businesses in our local community that have always been there for us. It is important to support the businesses that continue to stay open as essential services such as take-out foods, grocery stores, pharmacies, service stations and those listed by the Province.  Buy a few gift cards for future use, shop in the online stores, order take-out from your favorite local restaurants, take online classes, training, or even one on one music lessons.

Wondering what is open and what the local businesses are offering in the Heart of Orléans? Please go to our website.

How can we help our local Orléans, Ottawa small businesses later?

When the coronavirus/COVID19 pandemic ends, please continue to support the small businesses that have had difficulties due to low business volume or those that were ordered closed. Spend your vacation in Canada, sleep in Canadian hotels, eat at your local restaurants, shop at your local stores, buy Canadian products, and attend local events. 

Together we support our local small businesses and together we will move the economy forward.

Algonquin College Offers Free Business Training during COVID-19

Algonquin College has launched free virtual training to support the business community during COVID-19.
They are offering a variety of business training for free, including three professional-development courses taking place this week and at least three new courses per week in April.

Their roster includes everything from Change Management to Business Relationship Management Professional to Achieving Exceptional Business Outcomes.

Check out their course list here.

March 25, 2020 Update

Ottawa residents invited to honour healthcare workers with cheer every Wednesday evening

A motion passed at city council, giving residents permission to step outside at 6:30 PM every Wednesday and use their hands, voices and instruments to cheer for our healthcare workers.

Residents of Ottawa are officially invited by the mayor and city council to step outside from their homes from social distancing and self-isolation to honour local healthcare workers with a loud cheer each Wednesday evening.

Please continue to stay 6 feet away from your neighbour while you cheer as loudly as possible. Let’s do this!

March 24, 2020 Update

Essential Services

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, the Ontario government will be ordering at-risk workplaces to close-down, while encouraging businesses to explore opportunities to continue operations through work-from-home and innovative business models.

Please see the list of essential services here.

At-risk workplaces will be ordered to close by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24th but Teleworking and online commerce are permitted at all times for all businesses.

March 21, 2020 Update

COVID-19 Guidance for Food Premises and Food Delivery Services Providing Delivery or Takeout

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is recommending that any food premises (including restaurants, take out, take out counters, drive-thru, bakeries, fast food establishments, etc.) delivering food and/or providing take out during the COVID-19 pandemic take added precautions to protect their health and the health of those around them.

In addition to existing practices to maintain health and safety within a food premises, OPH is encouraging further precautions during this time. OPH is recommending everyone practice social distancing, which means that everyone keeps a 2 metre (6 feet) distance from others. For more information on this, OPH has added information to their website to explain ‘What is Social Distancing?’

In terms of delivering food, OPH is recommending that food items be left at the door rather than a face-to-face interaction take place. The delivery person can then call the individual to let them know their food has arrived or knock on the door and move to a safe distance (2 metres or 6 feet) to allow the person on self-isolation to get their items.

Please ensure that you advise any delivery person to use hand sanitizer or wash their hands after they have delivered any items. If it is possible, encourage your patrons to pay over the phone or online. Otherwise, have clients pay by debit or credit card (tap if possible) and have the delivery driver wipe the machine and use hand sanitizer immediately after the interaction.

To prepare for the pickup of take out food items, restaurant staff can leave the food on the counter and have an individual pick it up. OPH recommends not accepting cash and having clients pay by debit or credit card. Food premises should identify one staff member who is solely responsible for these transactions and must clean and sanitize all surfaces, after each interaction, followed by washing their hands with soap and water.

OPH also recommends that you follow general food safety guidelines to reduce the likelihood of foodborne illness.
To reduce the spread of germs including the flu and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), OPH recommends that you:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
• If possible, stay home if you are sick
• Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick
• Consider social distancing (ideally 2 metres)

Glove Use

Gloves are not a substitute for proper hand hygiene, as they do not guarantee that food or surface is not contaminated. Gloves should be worn when a handler has a bandage that is covering a wound. In the event that you use gloves, do so properly.

Tips for the Proper Use of Gloves:

• Gloves must be used in combination with handwashing.
• Hands should always be washed and/or sanitized prior to putting on gloves and after taking gloves off.
• Change gloves whenever you change activity, touch your face, or come into contact with an item that may have germs
• Gloves should be thrown out and not used again once they have been taken off.

We understand that this is a challenging time and want to thank you for your dedication and support of others in our community.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit our website at ottawapublichealth.ca/coronavirus

March 20, 2020 Update

Recommendations for Retail Stores – including Grocery Stores and Pharmacies:

As cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Ottawa, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is recommending that all stores that remain open should take the following actions:

Support and encourage behaviours to reduce the spread of germs

To reduce the spread of germs, OPH recommends that everyone:
• Wash their hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth unless they have just cleaned their hands
• Cover their cough and sneeze with a tissue or into their arm, not their hand
• Stay home if they are sick
• Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if they are sick
• Practice social distancing (2 metres or 6 feet apart)

Ensure Social Distancing

The practice of social distancing promotes everyone keeping a 2 metre (6 feet) distance from each other. In order to ensure social distancing, the following steps should be taken:
• Increase the space between employees and patrons at counters by using screens or barriers.
• Limit the number of occupants, including staff, in the store to allow for the maintenance of a 2 metre (6 foot) social distance.
•Ensure line management practices that requires 2 meters (6 feet) social distancing for any patrons waiting outside to enter the store.
• Consider placing markers on the floor at check-out aisles to ensure customers maintain a 2 metre (6 foot) distance from one another.
• Close any seated, dine-in area that may be in the store.
• No sampling product stations should be permitted.
Consider vulnerable populations
• Some businesses have begun a practice where they have dedicated the first hour of
operation for customers from vulnerable populations, for customers over 65, or for
those with a compromised immune system.
• Other practices for consideration include offering a pre-order/pick-up/delivery model
to limit interactions. OPH has guidelines for these measures on our website.

Take extra precautions to clean and disinfect surfaces as often as possible

OPH recommends that grocery stores complete the following enhanced cleaning practices to support infection prevention and control, as COVID-19 is spread by droplets:
• Remember to clean surfaces first, then disinfect them.
• Consider disinfecting shopping carts as frequently as possible.
• Ensure an adequate supply of water, soap, paper towels for cleaning and disinfectants for sanitizing.
• Use only disinfectants that have a Drug Identification Number (DIN). A DIN is an 8-digit number given by Health Canada that confirms it is approved for use in Canada.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces at a minimum of twice a day (doorknobs, hand railing, light switches, etc.) and/or as they become visibly soiled.
• Use an appropriate cleaner and disinfectant, as per manufacturer’s instructions.
• Remove items that are hard to clean and disinfect.

For more information on cleaning and disinfecting, please consult OPH’s cleaning and disinfection checklist as well as the Public Health Ontario guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting non-healthcare settings.
Provide patrons access to hand hygiene stations and supplies:
• Ensure that patrons have easy access to handwashing stations, hand sanitizer and
washrooms.
• Encourage patrons to wash their hands properly and frequently.

Transactions

• If possible, encourage patrons to pay by debit or credit card (tap if possible) and have staff wipe the machine and use hand sanitizer immediately after each interaction.
• Staff may choose to wear gloves. If they do so, they should practice proper glove use (see below).
• All cashiers should have hand sanitizer at their cashes, if possible.

Practice proper glove use

Gloves are not a substitute for proper hand hygiene, as they do not guarantee that food or surface are not contaminated. Gloves should always be worn when a staff member has a break in their skin or has a bandage that is covering a wound.
In the event you are wearing gloves, do so properly.
• Gloves must be used in combination with handwashing.
• Hands should always be washed and/or sanitized prior to putting on gloves and after taking gloves off.
• Change gloves whenever you change an activity, touch your face, or come into contact with an item that may have germs.
• Gloves should be thrown out and not used again once they have been taken off.

Supporting each other and our community

We understand that this is a challenging time, but measures like this are needed to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 in our community is limited. We thank you for the service that you provide to our community.

March 19, 2020 Update

Canada is committed to supporting us during the COVID-19 virus is 82 billion dollars – or 3% of GDP:

• $2 Billion boost to Canada Child Benefit.
• $900 biweekly for Emergency Care Benefit for up to 15 weeks.
• $5 Billion Emergency Support Benefit for unemployed without EI benefits.
• 6 month interest free moratorium on Canada student loan payments.
• 10% wage subsidy for small businesses.
• Deferred tax payments until after August 31, 2020.
• Increased GST credit to $300 or $150 per child.
• Boost funding for shelters where self-isolating is not an option.

That said, given the fast-evolving Covid-19 situation, it is difficult to fully assess the impact on your business. With all the information floating around it is also hard to know what exactly you can tap into as a small business. We have tried to capture as many items/programs we are aware of at this time that may be of help to a small business below:

• All businesses can defer their income tax payments that become owing on or after March17 and before September 2020, and are able to pay it after August 31, 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. 

• As announced on March 13, a new Business Credit Availability Program will provide support to small, medium and large businesses experiencing cash flow challenges through the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada. 

• An Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks to provide income support to workers who must stay home and do not have access to paid sick leave. This will become available in April through the CRA website and will include:
  • Workers, including the self-employed, who are sick, quarantined, or who have been directed to self-isolate but do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.
  • Workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent or other dependents who are sick, but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits.
  • EI-eligible and non EI-eligible working parents who must stay home without pay because of children who are sick or who need additional care because of school closures.

• An Emergency Support Benefit delivered through the Canada Revenue Agency in April to provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment.

• If you are or your employees are eligible to apply for EI benefits, you can visit their website. Afterwards, you can apply to have the one-week waiting period waived by calling the government’s toll-free number at 1-833-381-2725, or teletypewriter at 1-800-529-3742.

• Eligible small businesses may receive a 10 per cent wage subsidy for the next 90 days, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Employers benefiting from this measure would include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as not-for-profit organisations and charities.  This will help employers keep people on their payroll and help Canadians keep their jobs.

• An Insured Mortgage Purchase Program to purchase up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). As announced on March 16, this will provide stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders and support continued lending to Canadian businesses and consumers.

• The six largest financial institutions in Canada have also made a commitment to work with small business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions.

March 18, 2020 Update

For immediate release from our Prime Minister’s Office:

Prime Minister announces more support for workers and businesses through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan 

March 18, 2020 Ottawa, Ontario Prime Minister’s Office 

The Government of Canada is taking strong and quick action to protect our economy, and the health, safety, and jobs of all Canadians during the global COVID-19 outbreak. 

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced a new set of economic measures to help stabilize the economy and help Canadians affected by the impacts of this challenging period. 

These measures, delivered as part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, will provide up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses, plus $55 billion to meet liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and households through tax deferrals to help stabilize the economy. Combined, this $82 billion in support represents more than 3 per cent of Canada’s GDP. This wide-ranging support will help ensure Canadians can pay for rent and groceries, and help businesses continue to pay their employees and their bills during this time of uncertainty. 

This plan builds on coordinated action taken since the beginning of this outbreak, including the more than $1 billion COVID-19 Response Fund, which provided funding to provinces and territories to strengthen critical health care systems. It represents over $500 billion in credit and liquidity support for people and businesses through cooperation between financial Crown corporations, the Bank of Canada, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), and commercial lenders to ensure businesses can continue to operate. 

The actions announced today are part of Canada’s whole-of-government response to COVID-19. As a first step, this plan aims to stabilize our economy through targeted measures to address immediate challenges faced by workers and businesses alike. It will help ensure that workers have the money they need while they are sick or in isolation, or due to loss of work or a significant reduction in work income, and help support people and businesses experiencing financial hardship because of the outbreak. 

Canadians should not make health decisions based on their financial needs. As the situation continues to evolve, further measures will be announced to support Canadians, stimulate the economy, and protect peoples’ jobs and livelihoods.. 

Support for workers 

Canadians should not have to worry about paying their rent or mortgage or buying groceries because of the COVID-19 crisis. To support workers and their families, the Government of Canada is taking action to: 

• Provide additional assistance to families with children by temporarily boosting Canada Child Benefit payments. This measure would deliver almost $2 billion in extra support. 

• Introduce an Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks to provide income support to workers who must stay home and do not have access to paid sick leave. This measure could provide up to $10 billion to Canadians, and includes: 

o Workers, including the self-employed, who are sick, quarantined, or who have been directed to self-isolate but do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.

o Workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent or other dependents who are sick, but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits.

o EI-eligible and non EI-eligible working parents who must stay home without pay because of children who are sick or who need additional care because of school closures. 

• Introduce an Emergency Support Benefit delivered through the Canada Revenue Agency to provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment. 

• Provide additional assistance to individuals and families with low and modest incomes with a special top-up payment under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit. This measure would inject $5.5 billion in the economy. 

• Waive, for a minimum of six months, the mandatory one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits for workers in imposed quarantine or who have been directed to self-isolate, as announced on March 11. 

• Waive the requirement for a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits. 

• Extend the tax filing deadline for individuals to June 1, and allow all taxpayers to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. This measure will result in households having more money available during this period. 

• Provide eligible small businesses a 10 per cent wage subsidy for the next 90 days, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Employers benefiting from this measure would include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as not-for-profit organisations and charities. This will help employers keep people on their payroll and help Canadians keep their jobs. 

• Provide increased flexibility to lenders to defer mortgage payments on homeowner government-insured mortgage loans to borrowers who may be experiencing financial difficulties related to the outbreak. Insurers will permit lenders to allow payment deferral beginning immediately. 

In addition, to provide targeted support for vulnerable groups, the Government is investing to: 

• Reduce minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25 per cent for 2020 in recognition of volatile market conditions and their impact on many seniors’ retirement savings. 

• Implement a six-month, interest-free, moratorium on Canada Student Loan payments for all individuals who are in the process of repaying these loans. 

• Provide $305 million for a new distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund, to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities. 

• Support women and children fleeing violence by providing up to $50 million to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres to help with their capacity to manage or prevent an outbreak in their facilities. This includes funding for facilities in Indigenous communities. 

• Provide an additional $157.5 million to address the needs of Canadians experiencing homelessness through the Reaching Home program. 

Support for businesses 

In the face of an uncertain economic situation and tightening credit conditions, the Government is taking action to help affected businesses. To support Canadian businesses and help them retain their workers during this difficult time, the Government is announcing measures to: 

• Allow all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. This measure will result in businesses having more money available during this period. 

• Increase the credit available to small, medium, and large Canadian businesses. As announced on March 13, a new Business Credit Availability Program will provide more than $10 billion of additional support to businesses experiencing cash flow challenges through the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada. The Government is ready to provide more capital through these financial Crown corporations. 

• Further expand Export Development Canada’s ability to provide support to domestic businesses. 

• Provide flexibility on the Canada Account limit, to allow the Government to provide additional support to Canadian businesses, when deemed to be in the national interest, to deal with exceptional circumstances. 

• Augment credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector through Farm Credit Canada. 

• Launch an Insured Mortgage Purchase Program to purchase up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). As announced on March 16, this will provide stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders and support continued lending to Canadian businesses and consumers. CMHC stands ready to further support liquidity and the stability of the financial markets through its mortgage funding programs as necessary. The Government will enable these measures by raising CMHC’s legislative limits to guarantee securities and insure mortgages by $150 billion each. 

The six largest financial institutions in Canada have made a commitment to work with personal and small business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions to help them manage through challenges, such as pay disruption due to COVID-19, childcare disruption due to school or daycare closures, or those suffering from COVID-19. As a first step, this support will include up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products. The Government of Canada will continue to monitor evolving economic conditions and seek greater relief measures should it be necessary. 

In order to move forward with implementing these new measures needed to provide timely support for Canadians and to ensure the Government has every tool at its disposal to address potential challenges that may arise, the Government intends to introduce special legislation and seek the approval of Parliament. 

The Government of Canada will continue to take further action as required to prioritize the health and safety of Canadians, stabilize the economy, and mitigate the economic impact of this pandemic. 

Quotes “No Canadian should have to worry about paying their rent or buying groceries during this difficult time. That is why we are taking the strong action needed to stabilize our economy and help those impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Together, we will get through this difficult time.” —The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada 

“These are extraordinary times and we must take extraordinary measures. The Government of Canada will do whatever it takes to ensure that the health of Canadians is protected, families and businesses are supported and our economy remains strong, even in the face of uncertainty. I am working with the financial sector, the Bank of Canada, my provincial and territorial colleagues, and my counterparts from around the world to keep coordinating on significant actions to protect the Canadian and global economy. Canadians can rest assured that we are ready to take all necessary measures to meet the challenges ahead.” —The Hon. Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance 

Related Product 

• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and businesses 

Associated Links 

• Prime Minister outlines Canada’s COVID-19 response 

• Government of Canada takes action on COVID-19 

• Canada outlines measures to support the economy and the financial sector 

– 30 – PMO Media Relations: [email protected]

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca/

March 17, 2020 Update

Premier Ford Declares a State of Emergency

I’m sure many of you have seen that Premier Ford has declared a state of Emergency in Ontario. What does that mean? The order bans public events of over 50 people, including parades, events and services within places of worship until March 31.

Effective immediately, the province has ordered the closure of all facilities providing indoor recreation programs, all public libraries, all private schools, all licensed childcare centres, all theatres, cinemas and concert venues, and all bars and restaurants except to provide takeout food and delivery. For the full video please click here: https://youtu.be/VA_K2oRf4rI

Safety First!

If you have decided to close your business temporarily, please have a look at the following suggestions as a precaution:

1. Keep the lights on.

2. Remove ALL cash and receipts.

3. Do not leave any valuables clearly visible or accessible.

4. All safes and tills should be emptied and moved off-site for safe storage.

5. Keep all cash drawers open to show that nothing is in the drawers.

6. All ATM’s should be emptied and moved off-site for safe storage.

7. All alcohol products removed from bar and put in secured storage areas (no alcohol left visible from outside).

8. All alcohol products removed from bar and put in secured storage areas (no alcohol left visible from outside).

9. Consider posting “NO CASH or Valuables on Premises” signage.

10. Deactivate all scheduled FOB door openings (ie. Cleaners, deliveries, etc).

11. Disconnect all kitchen gas lines from their gas source.

12. Make regular site visits to monitor your shop/business and to manage inventory and storage conditions (consider scattering the times this is done to not establish a pattern).

For emergencies please continue to call 911. For non emergencies please call 613-236-1222 Ext 7502. For reports for non emergency matters or things that already occured people can do so over the phone at 613-236-1222 Ext 7300 or online at https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/contact-us/Online-Reporting.aspx?_mid_=15486

Please see the “Make the right call” posters provided by our Community Police Officer, Marc Leroux as well. 

What Are You Offering?

Are you still trying to run your business during this pandemic? We are looking at creating an open-source directory of the Heart of Orléans small businesses who could use our support during COVID-19.

Please add to it! Feel welcome to include businesses located in the Heart of Orléans offering online courses or classes, electronic gift cards, promo codes, free shipping deals, and more. This offer extends to our associate members as well.

Please ensure you include a website, Facebook page, or Instagram/Twitter handle — not just a business name please as we want this to be an interactive database vs. just a list of business names.

This list is intended to spotlight small Canadian brands, no MLMs or big box stores please.https://drive.google.com/open?id=12w1DpTtxhfmuMTh0VAgz8R0ppEEi6Z2j17pvMU6MgXw

If you would like us to populate the spreadsheet for you, let us know. We are looking for the following information: 

Your Industry, Business Name, Your Offer (e.g. online product, takeout, your hours, virtual classes, etc.), Link to website and contact information.

March 16, 2020 Update #2

These are very trying times in Ottawa, Ontario and Canada as a whole. As your BIA, we are monitoring all official releases from all 3 levels of government in an attempt to keep you informed and safe. There are 13 confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ottawa as of this afternoon

As per our  Mayor and Ottawa Public Health , there are no plans to officially enforce the shut down of businesses, but the situation is changing quickly and we are unsure what the future holds. 

The city has recently created an Economic Partners Task Force led by Mayor Jim Watson and Councillor Eli El-Chantiry. This group will be comprised of a representative from each of the following areas and are tasked with coming up with some solid solutions to help small business, tourism and events in Ottawa:

• BIA 

• OBoT 

• RGA

• Ottawa Tourism

• Festivals and Events

The BIAs have requested clear direction when it comes to the types of business and what protocols should be taken. Mayor Watson has asked Ottawa Public Health to add a tab specifically for small business on their website in an effort to clarify.

The city is also looking into possible tax measures for small businesses. We will keep you updated as we are told more over the next few days.

Our BIA, along with our colleagues in the Ottawa Coalition of BIAS (OCOBIA) have been in contact with the City and Ottawa Public Health about specific things that can be done to help our small businesses.

Ottawa Public Health has released this list of recommendations for local workplaces.

Key points:
Post signage to alert workers of any signs and symptoms of acute respiratory illness,

Display posters promoting hand-washing and respiratory hygiene,

Ensure tissues and alcohol-based hand rubs are available.

Customers and business owners should study and follow all public health advisories and take all recommended cleaning, hand-washing, and social distancing precautions, as well as self-isolating at the first sign of a fever or cough.

Businesses should prepare for potential disruptions. Talk now to your insurance provider, your neighbouring businesses, suppliers, and employees to make sure you understand your obligations. This is a good resource about employment standards in Canada.

General COVID-19 Situation Updates:

• Ottawa Public Health Updates – refreshed twice daily.
• Ontario Public Health – updated twice daily.
• Public Health Agency of Canada – for national information.
• BDC or Business Development Bank of Canada
  
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce
  

As you know, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also spoke to Canada this afternoon.  He announced on Monday that:

1. Canada will be closing its borders to foreign travellers in an attempt to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. The restrictions will come into effect Wednesday but that exceptions will be made for air crews, diplomats, immediate family members and U.S. citizens.

2. Air operators will ban anyone who is showing symptoms of the virus from getting on a plane. “That means anyone who has symptoms will not be able to enter Canada,” Canadian travellers will be able to obtain financial assistance to help them with the costs of returning home or temporarily covering their basic needs while they wait to come back to Canada.

3. Only 4 Canadian airports – Trudeau, Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Vancouver International Airport, Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and Calgary International Airport – will receive international flights.

4. Trudeau stated, “Let me be clear: if you are abroad, it’s time for you to come home, If you have just arrived, you must self-isolate for 14 days. And finally, all Canadians, as much as possible, should stay home. By staying home, you can not only protect your health and that of those around you but ensure that our health-care professionals and our health-care systems can focus on those who need their help.”
You can watch the full video here.

Finally, what can we do other than keep you updated to help? We have advised the community that they can purchase gift certificates from their favorite businesses to use at a later date. Another idea is to order from your business online, if this is possible. How else can we help you? What message do you want us to get out there? Let us know.

Please be well and safe during these uncertain times.

March 16, 2020 Update

As of yesterday, there has been a significant shift in messaging. The BIA is working receiving up-to-date information from Ottawa Public Health and will share it here and on our social media channels as it is received.

Ottawa Public Health is asking that all people in Ottawa increase their practices of social distancing. This means limiting non-essential trips out of the home and working to maintain a distance of 1-2 meters from other people as much as possible. They are asking people to keep their children home from daycare if possible and for employers and employees to explore options to work from home or implement distancing at work. 

Ottawa Public Health will be increasing the detail in their messaging on their website related to social distancing to provide further guidance to the public. OPH continues to work in concert with our provincial and federal public health colleagues and please note that not all websites can keep up with rapidly changing information. For the most up-to-date and current information, OPH will share what is happening in our community on their website and via their social media channels:

o   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ottawahealth 

o   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ottawahealth/ 

To reduce the spread of germs including the flu and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) it is recommended that you:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
• If possible, stay home if you are sick
• Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick 
• It is still recommended to get your flu shot if you haven’t already as the flu virus is still circulating in the community
• Consider social distancing (ideally 2 meters)

I would like to highlight a few items that may be helpful for you as you communicate with employees and community members:

• Social Distancing and Self-Isolation – what does that mean?
• If employers require a sick note, OPH has made one available. We also have a “staying home when sick” fact sheet.
• Information sheets on Covid-19 in multiple languages.
• Hand hygiene, hand washing, cough etiquette posters and fact sheets in a number of languages.

March 14, 2020 Update

As more information is shared, the Heart of Orléans BIA will try to keep you as up to date as possible.

Our BIA, along with our colleagues in the Ottawa Coalition of BIAS (OCOBIA) have been in contact with the City and Ottawa Public Health about specific things that can be done to help our small businesses.

Ottawa Public Health has released this list of recommendations for local workplaces.

Key points:
Post signage to alert workers of any signs and symptoms of acute respiratory illness,

Display posters promoting hand-washing and respiratory hygiene,

Ensure tissues and alcohol-based hand rubs are available.

Customers and business owners should study and follow all public health advisories and take all recommended cleaning, hand-washing, and social distancing precautions, as well as self-isolating at the first sign of a fever or cough.

Businesses should prepare for potential disruptions. Talk now to your insurance provider, your neighbouring businesses, suppliers, and employees to make sure you understand your obligations. This is a good resource about employment standards in Canada.

Some good sources of information:

These are the most current and easy-to-understand and print sources of information we’ve been able to find. Many thanks to our friends in Wellington West for their help in compiling this list!

General COVID-19 Situation Updates:

• Ottawa Public Health Updates – refreshed twice daily.
• Ontario Public Health – updated twice daily.
• Public Health Agency of Canada – for national information.

Advice for business:

• Ottawa Public Health Information for Workplaces – released March 13
• CDC – Guidance for Businesses & Employers – from the American Centres for Disease Control – includes information on cleaning and disinfection.
• Advice for Canadian employers – from Gowlings.
• Planning for Coronavirus – Advice for Businesses and Organizations – very good printable checklist of considerations for all business (from Seattle).
• Retail food establishments: Public Health recommendations to minimize the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – one-page printable list of considerations for food service businesses (from Seattle).

March 13, 2020 Update

I would like to share additional resources that Ottawa Public Health has prepared for business and workplaces. Please visit the website below and feel free to share with your networks.

OttawaPublicHealth.ca/WorkplaceCOVID19

Public Health Ontario has produced this guidance on environmental cleaning and disinfection of public settings, which may be of particular interest.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) continues to be in enhanced operations to increase support and to share information with residents, community groups and health systems partners.

OPH also continues to follow the lead of the Ontario Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada in responding to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), with a focus on keeping the people of Ottawa well. The current strategy in Canada and Ontario is to detect cases of COVID-19 in people who have traveled to an affected area, or who have been in close contact with a confirmed case, and to limit local transmission.  Self-isolation of returning travellers has recently been added to screening measures and distribution of information at entry points to Canada.  It is important to note that the list of countries affected by COVID-19 continues to change rapidly. 

In terms of the illness caused by the virus, its severity can be compared to influenza. Most cases are mild and resolve without medical assistance and the risk of severe illness or death is higher for those with a weakened immune system, as may be the case for older adults and people with chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer, heart, renal or chronic lung disease.

Local Efforts

We understand that this situation has been causing anxiety and people have many questions. In order to ensure residents have factual and up-to-date information, OPH has created a new webpage and information products for many partners. We encourage residents to visit and refer people to OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus for the latest information. 

To ensure local physicians and health care practitioners have the most up-to-date information, OPH has also created a webpage specifically designed for them at www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/NCOV. This page provides the most recent health alerts as well as information and guidelines with respect to screening, laboratory testing, reporting requirements, and Infection Prevention and Control Measures for COVID-19.  In addition to this, OPH is currently hosting weekly teleconferences with local stakeholders to continue to provide accurate and timely information to partners.

OPH recently added a new section on their website that includes information on how to prepare for a pandemic: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/pandemic-preparedness.aspx

This includes things like stocking up on non-perishable foods, filling prescriptions, making plans for children and other dependents and making plans at work. 

OPH is working closely with hospital emergency departments as well as engaging with our Local Health Integration Network, and local Community Health Centres.  Rigorous processes are in place in Ottawa hospitals to screen individuals suspected of COVID-19 exposure; people undergoing assessment are isolated and employees are protected from infection. Anyone visiting a hospital is encouraged to read and follow instructions on hospital signage.

Working with our partners, such as OPS, community centers and social services, OPH is also aiming to help reduce stigma and discrimination towards people who have travelled from China, and now other affected areas.

OPH plays a role in coordinating The Ottawa Interagency Influenza Pandemic Plan with local healthcare partners, which outlines roles and responsibilities of OPH and partners when influenza activity creates a demand that could exceed the capacity of the health care system. As we don’t yet have known local transmission of COVID-19, OPH is currently in the “alert” phase of this plan and we continue to work with various components of the plan to prepare partners for potential increased demand in health care services

Travel and International Efforts

The Government of Canada has issued active health travel notices for China, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Northern Italy, Singapore and South Korea. Travellers are asked to check their destination before leaving to know their risks and to be prepared.

Canada also has a number of standard border measures in place to prevent communicable diseases from being introduced to or spreading in Canada. Additional measures have been implemented, including

1. Screening travellers returning from the affected areas in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver and given messaging about how to take precautions to limit exposure to others if they develop symptoms in the 14 days after their return. 
2. messaging on arrivals screens at the Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver international airports reminding travelers from Hubei to inform a Border Services Officer if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
3. In addition, a health screening question has been added to electronic kiosks.

Entry screening alone is not a guarantee against the possible importation of this new virus but it is an important public health tool, as the strategy remains to detect cases when they enter Canada.  

The Government of Canada continues to update travel advisories as COVID-19 exposure risks may increase in other countries. OPH will work with our partners as additional measures are required and continue to keep our website up to date. Please visit: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus

We continue to recommend that residents read and share updates from credible sources such as: 

• Ottawa Public Health 

o   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ottawahealth 

o   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ottawahealth/ 

o   Web: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/coronavirus  

• Ontario Ministry of Health 

o   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ONThealth  

o   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONThealth/ 

o   Web: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov  

• Health Canada / Public Health Agency of Canada 

o   Twitter: https://twitter.com/GovCanHealth 

o   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthyCdns/ 

o   Web: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html