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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

 

Stay safe, stay healthy, 

Robin Martin, MPP
Eglinton-Lawrence

(416) 781-2395 - robin.martin@pc.ola.org