Kanata North COVID-19 Update June 5

This week has been difficult and eye opening for many. We are witnessing history around the world. Many are showing their solidarity with Black Lives Matter by peacefully marching, making signs for their windows, sharing educational information online, donating, and much more. Earlier this week I posted about how many in our community have reached out in recent days, as they feel the need for an outlet to express their very strong emotions about what is happening in the world right now. Today, I provided an update on the important actions that the city has taken and will be working on in the future. I recognize that this is just the start of what will be an ongoing conversation and important work that we must all take part in and much is left to do. This is a time where kindness and respect are necessary as we move forward. I have shared in previous updates, our community has come together through the pandemic and demonstrated how generous and caring we are for each other. I have no doubt that this will continue. 

As we head into the weekend, it is important that we remember that we are still in the midst of a pandemic. Following public health and Provincial regulations will help mitigate the spread of the virus. 

Kanata North Update 

  • Many residents have reached out regarding neighbours deploying fireworks throughout the pandemic. I want to remind you all that fireworks are prohibited, and only allowed on the day of, and the day before and after Victoria Day and Canada Day on private property. I encourage you to call bylaw at 3-1-1 to report issues. You can find more information here. 
  • I know many of us have taken this time to do some spring cleaning. Before you throw out your old furniture, consider donating it to Matthew House Ottawa who will use it to furnish new Canadians and low-income residents’ homes. This is a great way to divert waste from going into our city’s landfill, while helping our neighbours! Matthew House Ottawa’s Furniture Bank is located at 340 Legget Drive, Door 53. 
  • Kindness is infectious! United Way in collaboration with the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health have launched a Facing Forward campaign to buy masks for the city’s most vulnerable. Now, when you buy a case of masks the proceeds will go towards providing others in our city with masks. You can buy your masks here. 

Facing_Forward

 

City of Ottawa/Ottawa Public Health (OPH) Update 

Here are the latest updates from the City of Ottawa and OPH: 

  • Today, OPH reported seven new cases and no new deaths. This brings the cumulative total of cases to 1,992 and 248 deaths. 
  • On June 3rd, the City of Ottawa opened seasonal washrooms and water fountains at five popular park and beach destinations. While these facilities will undergo extensive cleaning, residents are reminded to practice safe precautions provided by OPH, such as maintaining a physical distance of two metres, keeping good hygiene, and wearing a mask if physical distance is impossible. The washrooms that opened are at the following parks and beaches:
    • Britannia Park
      • Monday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
      • Friday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.   
    • Andrew Haydon Park  
      • Every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.  
    • Westboro Beach 
      • Every day from11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
    • Mooney’s Bay Beach 
      • Monday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
      • Friday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.   
    • Petrie Island Beaches 
      • Monday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
      • Friday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
  • On Wednesday, the Transporation Committee discussed how creating outdoor retail spaces could support the city’s economic recovery and help restaurants and retail businesses reopen. Staff shared that by creating an outdoor space in front of storefronts and allowing food trucks to operate in parking lots at approved city parks it will help residents follow physical distancing practices. Staff are in discussions with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario about enabling liquor licenses, as well as working on a special strategy for physical distancing in the ByWard Market. 
  • To support businesses or residential property owners who have been financially impacted by the pandemic, the City of Ottawa has created the Property Tax Hardship Deferral Plan. Those who get approved for the deferral plan will have until October 30, 2020 to pay final and interim property tax bills. To qualify, financially impacted applicants must have a property assessment value of up to $7.5 million, which captures 91 percent of commercial properties in Ottawa. In addition, your account would need to have been paid up to date before the 2020 interim tax installment. You can apply for the program here by July 31, 2020. 

Provincial Government Update 

Here are the latest updates from the Ontario government: 

  • Based on the recommendation from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the government of Ontario is extending the Provincial Declaration of Emergency to June 30. This will help the government respond to the pandemic quickly and protect citizens. In addition, the Declaration will continue efforts that provide hospitals and long-term care homes the necessary flexibility to respond to COVID-19 and protect vulnerable populations and the public as the province reopens. 
  • As part of the province’s $315 million initiative called Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan, the government of Ontario is investing $150 million in reliable broadband and cellular services to support more economic and educational opportunities in rural, remote and underserved areas of the province. This will also help support Ontario’s Learn at Home Program. 
  • The new Improving Connectivity in Ontario program (ICON), has the potential to result in an investment of up to $500 million in total partner funding to improve connectivity in underserved and unserved areas. Applicants will be invited to submit innovative proposals and lend their investment, expertise and experience to improve connectivity in communities across Ontario. The province will fund a portion of each approved project. 
  • Dr. Jane Philpott has been appointed as the special advisor to support the design and implementation of the new Ontario Health Data Platform. This platform will provide researchers and health system partners with access to anonymized health data that will allow them to better detect, plan, and respond to COVID-19. The information gathered will help break down long-standing barriers and allow researchers to help with:
    • Increasing detection of COVID-19. 
    • Discovering risk factors for vulnerable populations. 
    • Predicting when and where outbreaks may happen. 
    • Evaluating how preventative and treatment measures are working. 
    • Identifying where to allocate equipment and other resources. 
  • To support young people, the Ontario government announced the Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity, a new advisory group that will provide advice on how young people can overcome social and economic barriers to achieve success. Long-term actions that can support youth during and past the COVID-19 outbreak will also be discussed. Jamil Jivani, Ontario’s Advocate for Community Opportunities, will chair the advisory group with membership that will include youth between the ages of 18 to 29 and adults with expertise from community organizations, not-for-profit businesses, education, and government services. 
  • The Ontario government is further supporting Black communities to address the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 by allocating $1.5 million in funding to organizations that support Black families and youth. This funding will be used to provide urgent COVID-19 supports and address the immediate needs of children, youth and families. 

 

Federal Government Update 

Here are the latest updates from the Canadian government: 

  • The Canadian government shared the new COVID-19 modeling that shows we are making progress in the fight against the virus. While this is positive news, we must not forget, we are still in a pandemic situation. As restrictions get eased, we will need to strengthen testing and contact tracing. Here are the key highlights:
  • Quebec and Ontario account for over 90 per cent of the national case count over the past 14 days. 
  • Lifting restrictions without strengthening other public health measures, such as testing and tracing capabilities, will likely cause the pandemic to rebound. 
  • Seniors are facing unique issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) will receive their special one-time, tax-free payment during the week of July 6. The government is providing nearly $900 more for single seniors and more than $1,500 for senior couples, on top of their existing benefits, to help these vulnerable Canadians with extra costs during the pandemic.    
  • The Canadian government is establishing a National Workplace Accessibility Stream, to help people with disabilities find and keep a good job. There will be funding for five new projects across the country that will help people get supportive devices to overcome barriers in the workplace. The positive news it that the numbers show that more Canadians returned to work last month, however, many people still are not working. The wage subsidy through the coming months has been expected. 
  • Canadians living with disabilities are facing significant challenges through the pandemic. As the economy restarts, continuing to protect health and safety, and ensure the right supports are in place for all Canadians is of the utmost importance. The Government will provide a one-time, tax-free payment to individuals who are certificate holders of the Disability Tax Credit as of June 1, 2020, as follows: 
    • $600 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate.   
    • $300 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and who are eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension. 
    • $100 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and who are eligible for the OAS pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). 
  • The Government of Canada recognizes that people with disabilities are also at higher risk of job loss during economic downturns. To help Canadians with disabilities get and maintain good jobs, so they can continue to support themselves and their families, the government will: 
    • Create a National Workplace Accessibility Stream through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. A new investment of $15 million will provide community organizations with resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs in response to COVID-19, including by helping employers set up accessible and effective work-from-home arrangements.  
    • Invest $1.18 million in five new projects across the country through the Accessible Technology Program. With this funding, organizations will develop dynamic and affordable technology, such as accessible payment terminals for retailers and tools to make communication easier for Canadians with disabilities in the digital economy. 

Enjoy your weekend! Please reach out if you need anything. 

Stay safe. 

Take care.