March 27, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
Today, Premier Doug Ford addressed the province with an emergency alert warning to travellers returning to Ontario urging them to comply and self-isolate for 14 days and to not visit stores, family or friends. The Premier placed emphasis on the high risk of those travellers returning and to stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Additionally, the Ontario Government announced additional supports to businesses and workers to help get through this crisis. An allocation amount of $10 billion in tax deferrals to improve cashflow including:
- $6 billion in tax deferrals from a 5 month penalty-free period to make payments on majority of provincially administered taxes;
- $1.9 billion in WSIB payment deferrals for up to 6 months; and
- Deferring property taxes to school boards by 90 days
See more details in Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19, accessed here:
Additionally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced this morning that the government is to cover 75% of wages for qualifying businesses. This is an update to the original response measure of a small business subsidy to cover 10% of wages for qualifying businesses.
The City of Toronto’s inviting business owners to complete a City survey to share how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting their business, and what information or supports they need. The survey can be accessed here:
The City of Toronto is urging Landlords and Condo Boards to adopt new health and safety measures to protect residents from COVID-19. Large residential buildings with a high number of units require new practice and a rigorous cleaning routine to prevent viral spread. The full news release can be accessed here:
Earlier this week the Government of Canada announced the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which provides workers affected by COVID-19 crisis $2000 a month for up to four months.
The CERB replaces two previously announced measures, the Emergency Care and Emergency Support Benefit, both of which were dependent on the Employment Insurance (EI) system and application. Find more details and how to qualify and apply for CERB here:
For more COVID-19 response supports, please visit this website:
You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul