July 2nd, 2020 | Weekly Update

Published on July 02, 2020

Dear Neighbour,

I hope you had a relaxing Canada Day holiday, and an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the nice weather.

For me, it was a nice break from our summer sittings at the legislature and our standing committees, which continue to meet on a daily basis using a hybrid model where some members attend in-person while others attend virtually. The work of government continues!

This week is International Small Business Week and the Ontario Government launched the "Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence!" campaign, encouraging Ontarians to support their local small businesses and to shop safely while doing so. Just yesterday, I enjoyed dinner with my family from a local business, Padella Italian Eatery. We definitely enjoyed their good food!

Small businesses have faced immense difficulties throughout this pandemic. Supporting them by shopping local is a key way to help them, while enjoying some time out with family and friends.

In recent weeks, many constituents have contacted my office urging the government to make masks mandatory in the Province of Ontario. The Province continues to strongly encourage all residents in Ontario to wear masks or face coverings to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

As part of our regional approach to reopening, municipalities have been empowered to mandate face coverings through either local by-laws implemented by municipal councils, or through orders made by local Medical Officers of Health under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Toronto City Council has voted to implement a by-law mandating the use of face masks and/or face coverings in indoor public spaces in City of Toronto as of July 7. More information can be found on the City of Toronto's website at https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-what-you-should-do/covid-19-orders-directives-by-laws/mandatory-mask-or-face-covering-bylaw/.

The weather so far this summer has been amazing. If you are looking for another good reason to get outside, from July 4-19, 2020 families can go fishing in Ontario for free and without a licence. Enjoy the amazing nature of Ontario.

My constituency office has reopened with limited staff on an appointment only basis for constituent services that cannot be delivered virtually. If we are able to address your inquiry through a phone call, email, or zoom meeting, we will continue to ask that you do not attend the office in person to protect both your safety and ours.

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 [email protected]

Enjoy the weekend, enjoy the weather - stay safe and stay healthy!

Until next week,

Robin Martin, MPP
Eglinton-Lawrence

(416) 781-2395 - [email protected]

Available Supports for Individuals and Businesses

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COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Ontario

HIGHLIGHTS
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

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.
The Ontario government is helping to connect communities and create jobs by providing an additional $10 million in funding for the Connecting Links program. The funding is part of Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 and will support road and highway projects in nine more municipalities across the province.
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.
Companies that participate in the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) will not be required to reduce their electricity usage during peak hours, as their proportion of Global Adjustment (GA) charges for these companies will be frozen for the next 2 years.
Beginning on July 4 to July 19, 2020, the province is offering free fishing for two weeks, double the length of last year.
The Ontario government is providing up to $4 million for the Seniors Community Grant Program, a significant increase over last year. This funding will help non-profit organizations, local services boards, or Indigenous groups develop programs for seniors that focus on combatting social isolation, promoting seniors' safety and well-being, improving financial security and making communities age-friendly.
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.

For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information from the Government of Ontario visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

HIGHLIGHTS
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is reminding all travellers, ahead of July 4th holiday, that travel restrictions are still in place at all Canadian international border crossings. These measures remain in place until at least July 21.
The Government of Canada extended requirements related to mandatory isolation and quarantine until August 31, 2020, for all travellers entering Canada.
The Federal Government announced that the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) will be extended by one month to cover eligible small business rents for July.

HIGHLIGHTS
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

As of July 7th, mandatory face coverings/face masks will be required in all enclosed public places within the City of Toronto in efforts to further mitigate COVID-19.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has declared a Heat Warning for Toronto for Thursday, July 2 through to Sunday, July 5. Starting at 11 a.m today, the City of Toronto will open 15 Emergency Cooling Centres (ECCs) for the duration of the Heat Warning. To see a full list of cooling centres click here.
Starting today, the City of Toronto permit parking program will begin accepting and issuing new and renewed parking permits. While the office will be closed to the public, it can be accessed in the short-term by phone at 416-392-7873 and by email at [email protected] from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Friday.
The city’s Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program will begin issuing tickets to speeding drivers on Monday, July 6.

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July 2nd, 2020 | Weekly Update

Digital Activity Book for Kids

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What's Your Biggest Concern for Ontario?

July 2nd, 2020 | Weekly Update

Digital Activity Book for Kids

Click on the photo to download it for free!

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What's Your Biggest Concern for Ontario?