Ontario’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool
If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use Ontario’s interactive self-assessment tool to help determine how to seek further care.
For more information, you can also contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. Do not visit an assessment centre unless you have been referred by a health care professional. Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.
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CHANGES TO THE ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES LIST
The Ontario Government has updated the list of essential services, ordering more workplace to close. This measure is necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of the people of Ontario, while ensuring that necessary goods and services remain available.
The updated list has directed additional businesses to close and restricts specified businesses to providing services by alternate methods such as curb side pick up and delivery, except in exceptional circumstances. This includes stores that sell hardware products, vehicle parts and supplies, pet and animal supplies, office supplies and computer products and repairs and safety supplies.
Only critical construction projects will continue, including industrial projects such as refineries and petrochemical plants and infrastructure projects such as new hospitals, roads and bridges. New starts in residential projects will stop, while residential construction that is near completion will continue.
Business-owners with questions concerning their essential business status are encouraged to call the Stop the Spread hotline at 1-888-444-3659 available from:
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m.― 9:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 a.m.— 5:00 p.m.
To see a list of the updated essential services click below:
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Support for Families
While schools and child care centres are closed, parents can apply for direct funding to offset the cost of buying materials to support their children’s learning, while they practice self-isolation and physical distancing.
Eligible parents will receive a one-time per child payment of:
- $200 for children aged 0 to 12
- $250 for children or youth aged 0 to 21 with special needs
This funding can help parents with the costs of work books, educational apps, educational subscription services, movies and other tools to support learning at home.
There is no income cap on this program. If you have more than one child, you must submit one application per child.
Parents already receiving Support for Parents payments through direct deposit will be automatically eligible for this financial support and do not need to submit a new application.
For more information and how to apply click on the link below:
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COVID-19 Modelling
On Friday, the Ontario government released extensive COVID-19 modelling, revealing several scenarios that project the potential number of cases and deaths. In doing so, the province is providing the public with full transparency about the consequences should everyone but essential workers fail to stay home and practice physical distancing. Key highlights from the modelling include:
- While COVID-19 impacts Ontarians of all ages, those over the age of 60 face higher risk of severe disease leading to higher mortality rates. The data demonstrates the need to focus public health measures on protecting seniors.
- Had Ontario taken no action, the impact of COVID-19 would have risen to an estimated 300,000 cases and an estimated death toll of 6,000 people.
- Due to timely public health measures, Ontario has avoided much more dire impacts, preventing an estimated 220,000 cases and 4,400 deaths to date.
- Over the course of the pandemic, between 3,000 and 15,000 deaths related to COVID-19 are predicted with current public health measures in place, compared to a total projected 100,000 deaths if no action were taken.
- By taking further measures, Ontario can further reduce the number of cases and deaths related to COVID-19 down to projections as low as 12,500 additional cases and 200 additional deaths by the end of April.
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Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Applications are now open.
If you are a wage earner, self-employed, a contractor and have a loss of income due to COVID-19 you may be eligible for this new benefit.
Days to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
| Birth Month |
Apply for CERB on |
Apply |
| Jan, Feb, or Mar, |
Mon |
April 6 |
| Apr, May, or Jun, |
Tue |
April 7 |
| Jul, Aug, or Sept, |
Wed |
April 8 |
| Oct, Nov, or Dec, |
Thu |
April 9 |
| Any month |
Fri, Sat & Sun |
N/A |
For more information:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html
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Enforcement Blitz in Full Effect
The City of Toronto's enforcement blitz is in full effect. Toronto Police, Municipal Licensing & Standards By-Law Enforcement Officers as well as Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff are in parks across the City enforcing proper education and physical distancing.
Emerging problems area include:
Bluffer's Park, Canoe Landing, Christie Pits, High Park, Humber Bay Park East, Sunnyside Park, Trinity Bellwoods, Van Horne Park, Woodbine Park, and Sherwood Park.
Violations include a minimum $1000 fine.
To report a potential violation of municipal by-laws or provincial emergency orders, please call 311. |
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Constituency Office Operations
Following recommendations from public health to practice social and physical distancing, my constituency office remains closed at this time. My staff and I are working remotely and remain available to answer your inquiries via phone or email. We appreciate your patience as it may take us longer than normal to get back to you.
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