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 robin.martin@pc.ola.org. 

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

Until next week,

Robin Martin, MPP
Eglinton-Lawrence

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