Dear Neighbour, Today, October 1st, marks Seniors' Day. Whether it's a grandparent, a parent, a friend, it's important we take some time out of our day to:
- say “thank you”
- call and take some time to say “hi”
- run errands for a senior
- help with some outdoor chores
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Over the past week, the Ontario Government has released key components of its Fall Preparedness Plan, which is a $2.8 billion investment incorporating lessons learned from the first wave of COVID-19, and with the collaboration of health care experts. The full Fall Preparedness Plan is now available and includes: • Maintaining public health measures • Implementing the largest flu immunization campaign in Ontario’s history • Identifying, managing and preventing outbreaks quickly • Reducing health service backlogs safely • Preparing for any surges in COVID-19 cases • Recruiting, retaining, training and supporting health care workers, while also continuing to engage families and caregivers.
Additionally, the province is providing a temporary wage increase effective October 1, 2020 to over 147,000 personal support workers who deliver publicly funded 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.
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Earlier today, Ontario's Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, announced an updated screening guidance for schools and childcare in Ontario. This information will help parents determine when it is most appropriate for students, children and their families to attend school, remain at home, or seek a test for COVID-19. The school and child care screening guidance is being updated with two sets of questions about symptoms and information to help parents make informed decisions about whether their children should attend school or child care, need to consult a health care provider, or get tested for COVID-19. The guidance can be found immediately at the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care.
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Additionally, as of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday September 26, the Ontario government amended order O. Reg 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, to tighten public health measures in response to the recent rise in cases of COVID-19. The new measures:
- Apply additional measures and restrictions to restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments (including nightclubs) by prohibiting the sale of alcohol after 11 p.m., and prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on the premises after 12:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. (including employees), and requiring establishments to close by 12:00 a.m. and remain closed until 5:00 a.m. except for takeout or delivery;
- Close all strip clubs across the province; and
- Require businesses or organizations to comply with any advice, recommendations, and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening for COVID-19.
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My second children's drawing contest continues! All drawings will be displayed once again in my constituency office, with some displayed in my 2021 Calendar!
You can submit original drawings by mail at 2882 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, M6B 3S6. Please ensure that the contact information including the address and the artist's first name is sent in the mail. The deadline to submit drawings is November 15th, 2020.
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My constituency office continues to be open by appointment only. If you are in need of any assistance, you can make an appointment by calling my constituency office at (416) 781-2395 or email me at robin.martin@pc.ola.org.
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Stay safe, stay healthy,
Robin Martin, MPP Eglinton-Lawrence
(416) 781-2395 - robin.martin@pc.ola.org
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HIGHLIGHTS PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
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- The Ontario government has developed a $2.8 billion COVID-19 fall preparedness plan to ensure the province's health care, long-term care and education systems are prepared for the immediate challenges of the fall, including a second wave of COVID-19 and the upcoming flu season. Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19 will enable the province to quickly identify, prevent and respond to surges and waves of the virus to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians.
- The Ontario government is investing close to $540 million to protect residents, caregivers, and staff in long-term care homes from future surges and waves of COVID-19.
- 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.
- In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government is updating its COVID-19 school and child care screening guidance. This additional information will help parents determine when it is most appropriate for students, children and their families to seek a test for COVID-19.
- Ontario has tightened public health measures provincewide in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases. These measures will ensure the continued health and safety of Ontarians, reduce the risk of transmission, and limit future outbreaks.
- The Ontario government marked the beginning of Cyber Security Awareness Month by hosting in partnership with Ryerson University the province's first-ever cyber security conference for the broader public sector and announcing the launch of a new academic partnership with Ryerson University's Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst. The Ontario Public Service and broader public sector increasingly rely on digital technology to deliver services to the public, including transactions such as renewing a driver's licence or issuing a health card.
- 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.
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HIGHLIGHTS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
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The Government of Canada has signed an agreement with Abbott Rapid Diagnostics ULC to purchase up to 7.9 million ID NOW rapid point-of-care tests, pending Health Canada authorization of the tests. If authorized, these tests would be deployed to provinces and territories to support them in ramping up surge capacity for COVID-19 testing.
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HIGHLIGHTS MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
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- Starting October 8, new by-laws will come into effect for food and drink establishments. Indoor patrons will be limited to 75, a customer log will be required for each patron, only six people can be seated at a table, and background music must be at the volume of normal conversation.
- The City of Toronto announced major weekend road closures, as part of the popular ActiveTO suite of programs, will be extended into October.
- The City of Toronto has released the 2020 Call for Applications for the Open Door program. The program provides an opportunity for private, co-op and non-profit affordable housing organizations to apply for support from the City to create affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income households in Toronto.
- The 15th annual Nuit Blanche Toronto will be reimagined for a virtual experience on Saturday, October 3 starting at 7 p.m. until October 12. This year, North America’s largest free contemporary art event will be delivered in a special digital format to ensure the safety of attendees and artists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, issued orders to three restaurant and bar establishments in the City of Toronto to close under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. A fourth establishment is in the process of being served.
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