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Dear Ward 24 Neighbours,

Here is my mid-day update!
I want to thank everyone for your efforts during this very difficult time. It is very important for all of us, to the best of our ability to follow the mandatory social distancing bylaw!

Please see the following update regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the City of Toronto:

City of Toronto recalling poor quality surgical masks distributed to staffThe City of Toronto discovered yesterday that a recently-purchased order of more than $200,000 worth of surgical masks do not meet the specifications the City requires for such masks and took immediate action, recalling these masks. Four-thousand boxes containing 50 masks per box were received, and 1,252 boxes, or 62,600 masks, were distributed to the City’s long-term care homes on March 28. The City’s occupational health safety staff have been contacted. The City is investigating to determine how many employees in the City’s long-term care homes were caring for a patient while wearing these masks, and if there was possible exposure to COVID-19. The City is retrieving its stockpile of surgical masks as a stop-gap measure until a new, appropriate grade mask, as specified, can be purchased, which will happen on a priority basis, as the loss of this inventory makes for a significant shortfall of surgical masks for the City. The Province of Ontario has been contacted to help expedite this order.Full news release here: https://bit.ly/3e2QsQ6
Ontario Calls on all Health Care Workers to Help Fight COVID-19 The Ontario government is taking further action to stop the spread of COVID-19 by actively recruiting health care workers to increase the frontline capacity of hospitals, clinics, and assessment centres. Today, the province is launching a new online tool that will help match skilled frontline workers with employers.
The new Health Workforce Matching Portal will enable health care providers with a range of experience to join the province’s response to COVID-19. Those providers include retired or non-active health care professionals, internationally educated health care professionals, students, and volunteers with health care experience. The portal will efficiently match the availability and skillsets of frontline health care workers to the employers in need of assistance to perform a variety of public health functions, such as case and contact management. Full news release here: https://bit.ly/2wlzLyc

A list of food banks and soup kitchens in Ward 24 can be found here: https://bit.ly/2RcvdRV Please remember to call ahead to book to ensure they are properly stocked. For those interested in volunteering, food banks are always looking for volunteers, so please feel free to save and share this information.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311. You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca

All my Best,

Paul

April 6, 2020

Dear Neighbours, 

I want to thank everyone for your efforts during this very difficult time. It is very important for all of us, to the best of our ability to follow the mandatory social distancing bylaw! 

Please see the following End of Day Update regarding (COVID-19) key messages and resources from the City of Toronto: 

Food security and access

The City is working with 211, United Way Greater Toronto, and other Toronto agencies to ensure low-income and vulnerable residents continue to have food access – a need that has increased dramatically with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Up-to-date information on food access is available by calling 211 or going online to: https://covid19.211central.ca/.  Corporate partners have stepped up with significant contributions to help ensure that community food programs in Toronto – including food banks, multi-service centres, home delivery programs, meal drop-ins – can continue. Additionally, the City is working with several community programs to address the multiple issues associated with food access during the pandemic. More information is available in today’s news release:  

Food donations

Residents who are able, are encouraged to donate non-perishable food to food banks or drop off food donations at local fire halls. Restaurants or food businesses with surplus food are encouraged to donate to Second Harvest’s FoodRescue.ca. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to register with VolunteerToronto.ca or SPARKOntario.ca  

City of Toronto urges residents to adapt faith-based holiday observances during COVID-19 pandemic

In the coming weeks, people across our city will be observing Passover, Easter, and the start of Ramadan. Normally an opportunity to spend time with family and faith-based communities, the City urges everyone to continue to follow provincial orders closing places of worship and limiting gatherings as well as the public health recommendations to remain at home, leaving only for essential reasons. The holidays are important spiritually and emotionally for many and to support this people are encouraged to connect with loved ones, friends, and vulnerable members of the community online or by phone. Residents should also check with their place of worship for information on online services and other innovative ways to connect while staying physically apart.

Grocery shopping in advance of the holidays

Grocers are anticipating that tomorrow and the upcoming Thursday and Saturday will be busy and ask people to limit shopping on these days. General advice for grocery shopping remains:

• Grocery shop only one day per week and buy only what you need for up to two weeks
• Respect store hours dedicated to seniors, vulnerable persons, and essential service workers (normally the first hour stores are open)
• Have a list of items, shop efficiently, and do not casually browse
• Do not touch food or products you are not intending to buy
• Practise physical distancing
• When possible, pay with a card or phone tap rather than cash

Yard waste

Yard waste collection resumes today for two weeks (April 6 –April 17). Please place yard waste out before 7 a.m. on your collection day and it leave out until it’s collected. Please bag your yard waste and refrain from using open-top bins to ensure the health and safety of our workers. Information and updates are available here: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/affected-city-services/?accordion=garbage-recycling-and-organics 

A list of food banks and soup kitchens in Ward 24 can be found here:

Please remember to call ahead to book to ensure they are properly stocked. For those interested in volunteering, food banks are always looking for volunteers, so please feel free to save and share this information.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca 

All my Best,

Paul

April 6, 2020

Dear Ward 24 Neighbours,

The Toronto Public Library has partnered with the North York Harvest, Daily Bread Food Bank and Second Harvest to set up food bank distribution from library branches across the city to provide alternate service locations for existing food banks that are now closed. The City’s Chief Librarian Vickery Bowles made a call out for additional volunteers last week because requests increase almost daily for Toronto Public Library’s food bank support. Within a few short hours of making the call for more volunteers, over 50 staff had responded.

Nine food banks are open or are scheduled to open at Toronto Public Library locations:• The first one opened on March 25 in partnership with North York Food Harvest at our Albion branch. • Eight more locations (Agincourt, Cedarbrae, Eatonville, Kennedy/Eglinton, Steeles and Taylor) are operational or near operational in partnership with Daily Bread, and two more (Don Mills and Jane Sheppard) with North York Harvest.• Toronto Public Library’s book delivery and sorting hub on Ellesmere Road has also been transformed for food bank support, with physical distancing embedded in the design. There were 27 skids of food received last week, and library staff have been sorting the food into hampers for delivery to the library branch food bank locations. This activity is being expanded to include sorting of food for the Red Cross allowing them to deliver food directly to people in their homes.

Here is a link to the Global TV interview that took place at Ellesmere with Neil Hetherington, Head of the Daily Bread Food Bank:

https://twitter.com/JennValentyne/status/1246048298479366144?s=20

I want to thank everyone with the Toronto Public Library who is involved in this!

All my Best,

Paul

April 6, 2020 

Dear Neighbours,

I want to thank everyone for your efforts during this very difficult time. It is very important for all of us, to the best of our ability to follow the mandatory social distancing bylaw!

Please see the following update regarding COVID-19 key information and resources: 

Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB) Portal 

Applications for the Canada Emergency Relieve benefit is now available and can be accessed here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html. You can also apply over the phone at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041 

CERB will provide $2000/month to workers impacted by COVID-19 for up to 4 months. See below for recommended dates: 

Questions about applying for CERB with CRA? You can find answers to common questions with this automated help line: 1-833-966-2099. 

“Don’t flush it!” — Learn where to put COVID waste!

Masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes, facial tissues, so-called “flushable” wipes, soiled tissues, sanitary napkins — are all meant for the Garbage Bin, diapers continue to go into the Green Bin. They must be bagged, to help keep the virus from blowing around, and keep frontline workers safer.

Please bag your yard waste and refrain from using open-top bins to ensure the health and safety of our workers. Updates on waste and recyclables can be found at www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/affected-city-services/ 

Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Online Classes 

At the direction of Public Health experts, the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre will remain closed until further notice. This is a difficult time for you and your families, Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre team hopes that you can take part in some of their online classes which are expanding this week to include more children’s programs, more fitness classes, an instructional cooking class and community coffee. Details on online classes can be accessed here: https://tpasc.ca/live-classes 

Diabetes Canada Donation Bin Crisis

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and crucial physical distancing orders by governments that non-essential services be stopped, pick-up of all textile donations by Diabetes Canada from homes and donations bins across Canada stopped on March 23rd. The City of Toronto will update its Clothing Drop Box page with further information as soon as possible. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/public-notices-bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/clothing-drop-box/ 

A list of food banks and soup kitchens in Ward 24 can be found here:

Please remember to call ahead to book to ensure they are properly stocked. For those interested in volunteering, food banks are always looking for volunteers, so please feel free to save and share this information.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca 

All my Best,

Paul

April 5, 2020 

Dear Neighbours, 

A list of food banks in Ward 24 can be found here: .

Please remember to call ahead to book to ensure they are properly stocked. For those interested in volunteering, food banks are always looking for volunteers, so please feel free to save and share this information.

Spring Parks, Forestry and Recreation programming and permit cancellations

Spring programs and permits for the period of April 6 to June 29 are cancelled, following the continued closure of community recreation and parks facilities. All Park, Forestry & Recreation permits for farmers markets up to June 29 are postponed and allotment and community gardens are closed. Refunds or credits will be issued for cancelled permits and programs. Although Park, Forestry & Recreation’s customer service call centre is closed, permit holders and program registrants can contact pfrcustomerservice@toronto.ca. Details on affected City services, community recreation and parks facility closures, and licensing and permits affected can be accessed here:  

City of Toronto enforcement officers see encouraging behaviour, while some problem areas persist

Early reports from frontline enforcement staff are encouraging. Many people in City parks are practising physical distancing and only travelling in small groups from the same household. In many instances, where enforcement officers have spoken to park goers, people have responded positively to education about public health recommendations and willingly adjusted their behaviour. 

Some problem locations persist. Yesterday, 311 received 141 complaints about gatherings and unsafe behaviour at parks. In just the first day of the enforcement blitz, 800 vehicles were turned away at Bluffers Park and 140 vehicles were deterred from parking at High Park. Police also issued 19 parking tickets. Enforcement staff reported that yesterday MLS and police officers spoke with 780 people to educate them on public health recommendations and closures and cautioned a further 373 people. Police issued nine tickets while MLS officers gave out one ticket related to park amenities and five to non-essential businesses that were operating in violation of provincial orders.

Current health situation

Toronto Public Health is reporting there are now 1,232 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto, an increase of 113 cases from yesterday. Of the cases, 1,026 cases are confirmed and 206 are probable, 69 cases have recovered, 140 are in hospital with 58 in ICU. In Toronto, there have been 25 deaths to-date. Community spread is responsible for 25% of COVID-19 cases in the city. This data was extracted from the Integrated Public Health Information System at 12:30 p.m. The numbers may differ from other sources as data are extracted at different times.

Toronto Public Health survey

Toronto Public Health wants to learn how COVID-19 is moving through the community, to provide an indication of how well public health measures are working and help determine next steps. Residents who believe they have COVID-19 symptoms can help Toronto Public Health understand where Toronto is on the ‘curve’ of the epidemic by completing the survey at toronto.ca/flattenthecurve.

People looking to confirm if they are eligible for testing or if they need to seek further care should use the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Self-Assessment tool. In a medical emergency, people should seek medical attention immediately and call 911. Self-Assessment tool here:  

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

I would like to thank all of you for your efforts during this difficult time. I am proud to acknowledge all of you who are adhering to the mandatory social distancing bylaw.

You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca 

All my Best,

Paul

April 4, 2020 

Dear Neighbours, 

Please see the following End of Day Update regarding (COVID-19) key messages and resources from the City of Toronto: 

Please click here for a list of food banks in Ward 24.

Please remember to call ahead to book to ensure they are properly stocked. For those interested in volunteering, food banks are always looking for volunteers, so please feel free to save and share this information.

Current health situation

As of today, the City’s Emergency Operations Centre has been mobilized for 25 days, working with Toronto Public Health, City divisions, and emergency responders to slow the spread of the virus and keep our community safe and healthy.

Toronto Public Health is reporting there are now 1026 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto, an increase of 101 cases from yesterday. Of the cases, 823 cases are confirmed and 203 are probable, 66 cases have recovered, 125 are in hospital with 53 in ICU. In Toronto, there have been 25 deaths to-date. Community spread is responsible for 27 per cent of COVID-19 cases in Toronto. This data was extracted from the Integrated Public Health Information System at 12:30 p.m. today. The numbers may differ from other sources as data are extracted at different times.

311 and access to information

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the 311 or Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline.

311 is available 24/7 by telephone for essential service inquiries and service requests. Those calling 311 should expect longer than usual wait times as 311 continues to receive a high volume of calls.

• 311 (within city limits)
• 416-392-2489 (outside of city limits)
• 416-338-0889 (TTY)

Keep in mind: 

The #COVID19 Enforcement Team will be out across Toronto this weekend educating the public and enforcing compliance with new #physicaldistancing bylaw and the other measures enacted by the municipal and provincial governments as part of efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. Any two people who don’t live together, who fail to keep 2 metres or a hockey stick apart in a park or public square, are subject to a $1,000 fine.

Every person makes a difference and every action counts Stay home to help stop the spread and save lives. 

You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca 

All my Best,

Paul

April 3, 2020

Dear Ward 24 Neighbours,

Today, Mayor John Tory announced the fine for people failing to keep at least two metres of distance from others in City of Toronto parks and public spaces has been set at $1,000.

The Chief Justice of the Province of Ontario approved the City’s request for a set fine Friday.

Any two people who don’t live together, who fail to keep two metres of distance between them in a park or public square, can receive a $1,000 ticket – the maximum set fine available. Officers could issue higher tickets that would be subject to the courts where fines could go up to $5,000 upon conviction.

The Mayor introduced Emergency Order No. 1 – Emergency Physical Distancing Regulations with respect to Parks, and Public Squares on Thursday as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to encourage people from separate households to keep at least two metres distance between each other to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

The COVID-19 Enforcement Team will be across the city this weekend educating the public and enforcing compliance with this new bylaw and the other measures enacted by the municipal and provincial governments.

The Toronto Police Service and the City are partnered on the enforcement of City bylaws and all orders, with 160 Toronto Police officers and other personnel assigned to the COVID-19 Enforcement Team, plus 200 Toronto Bylaw Enforcement Officers.

Officers will be educating the public about the seriousness of COVID-19, why these extraordinary measures are in place, and if, in the end, they don’t see compliance, then fines can and will be issued, some of which carry very significant penalties – up to $100,000 and one year in jail.

To date, almost 1,000 complaints have been made to the City regarding parks amenities use and concerns from the public about inappropriate physical distancing, and so far, Toronto Police have issued 21 tickets to individuals.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

If you have any questions or concerns you can reach me at 416-396-7222 or by email councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca

I hope you and your family remain safe and well.

All my Best,

Paul

Dear Neighbours, 

Please see the following update regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the City of Toronto. 

Yard waste collection resumes for two weeks

The City will resume yard waste collection from Monday, April 6 to Friday, April 17.

Information for residents:

• Place yard waste out before 7 a.m. on your regularly scheduled garbage/yard waste collection day.
• Please be patient as crews make their way across the city.
• If yard waste is not picked up the scheduled day, please leave it out as it will be picked-up in the coming days. Please do not call 311 to report a missed collection.
• To ensure health and safety, please only use yard waste bags, not open-top containers.

The start of seasonal yard waste collection was suspended as part of the City’s COVID-19 response. After the two-week period of yard waste pickup, the City will assess if it can continue to maintain the service. More information is available on the City’s website:  

City of Toronto addressing financial impacts of COVID-19 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exert major stresses globally, the City of Toronto has been assessing, evaluating and monitoring the financial impacts to Toronto. To address the situation, the City has assembled a COVID-19 financial impact working group to focus on stabilization and rebuilding.

The City of Toronto today announced that it is experiencing a financial pressure estimated at $65 million a week. The pressure is driven by decreased TTC and other revenues, coupled with increased costs. Revenues are decreased due to closures, decreased demands, and property tax and utility payment deferrals, and increased costs are stemming from COVID-19 related needs like additional personal protective equipment supplies, cleaning, additional shelter space, and overtime. Full news release here:  

Updated list of essential services 

Following advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario updated the list of essential businesses that can remain open. The restrictions are aimed at further reducing contact between people and stopping the spread of COVID-19.  

By 11:59 pm Saturday, April 4, 2020, businesses that are not identified on this list must close their physical locations. List of essential workplaces can be accessed here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-essential-workplaces 

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca 

All my Best,

Paul

April 2, 2020 

Dear Ward 24 Neighbours,

Please see the following update regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the City of Toronto: 

New emergency order allows for enforcement of physical distancing in parks and public squares

Any two people who don’t live together and fail to keep two metres of distance between them in a park or public square, will be subject to prosecution and liable for a fine of up to $5,000 if convicted. (Tis does not apply to members of the same household) The Mayor took this emergency action – which is in effect for at least the next 30 days – as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to save lives, protect the healthcare system and ensure our economy and society can rebound faster from the COVID-19 pandemic. Info and updates: http://toronto.ca/covid19.

Yard waste collection resumes for two weeks

The City will resume yard waste collection from Monday, April 6 to Friday, April 17.

Information for residents:

• Place yard waste out before 7 a.m. on regularly scheduled garbage/yard waste collection day.
• Please be patient as crews make their way across the city.
• If yard waste is not picked up the scheduled day, please leave it out as it will be picked-up in the coming days. Please do not call 311 to report a missed collection.
• To ensure health and safety, please only use yard waste bags, not open-top containers.

The start of seasonal yard waste collection was suspended as part of the City’s COVID-19 response. After the two-week period of yard waste pickup, the City will assess if it can continue to maintain the service. More information is available on the City’s website.

On April 1, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health issued new directives under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. These include:

• All individuals with COVID-19 are ordered by the Medical Officer of Health to stay home, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act for 14 days.
• All individuals who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are also ordered to stay home by the Medical Officer of Health for 14 days.
• People returning from international travel must stay home (already a federal order).
• Anyone who is not ill or has not travelled, is strongly directed to stay home except for the following reasons:
  • accessing healthcare or medication
  • shop for groceries once per week
  • walk their dogs
  • get daily exercise while maintaining physical distancing of at least two metres
• Anyone over the age of 70, as the Province already announced, is strongly encouraged to stay home as much as possible.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca 

All my Best,

Paul

Dear Ward 4 Neighbours,   While not really my area of responsibility I did want to make sure you know what other levels of government are doing to assist people in these very trying times. This letter is mainly update you on the latest developments on COVID-19 and the Government of Canada’s response. What’s New: Ministers provide update on Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy  Yesterday, Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance, and Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, provided Canadians with an update and more details on the 75% Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Here are the key points: The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will apply at a rate of 75% of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees.For workers: if you work for a company that has been impacted by COVID-19, the Government will cover up to 75% of your salary on the first $58,700 that you earn. That means up to $847 a week.The program would be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020.Businesses will be eligible for the wage subsidy if their gross revenues suffer a drop by at least 30% in March, April or May, when compared to the same month in 2019. The wage subsidy will be available to companies both big and small and across all sectors of the economy, with the exception of public sector entities.For non-profit organizations and registered charities similarly affected by a loss of revenue, the Government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the definition of revenue is appropriate to their circumstances. The Government is also considering additional support for non-profits and charities, particularly those involved in the front line response to COVID-19. Further details will be announced very soon.An eligible employer’s entitlement to this wage subsidy will be based entirely on the salary or wages actually paid to employees. All employers would be expected to at least make best efforts to top up salaries to 100% of the maximum wages covered.Eligible employers would be able to access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy by applying through a Canada Revenue Agency online portal. More details regarding how to apply for the program will follow. The government knows for workers, businesses and entrepreneurs, the last few weeks have been difficult, and you have had to make some incredibly hard decisions.   You have been forced to make those hard decisions because the business you have built has seen operations slow down or even have to close in some cases. And you have had to make those gut-wrenching decisions because you don’t want to let people go who have helped make your business a success, but you cannot afford to keep them on payroll.   As your City Council I will keep fighting for workers and businesses so that we get through this difficult time. We will do this together. Canadians will be able to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit from April 6 Canadians need help during this unprecedented and challenging time. No one should worry about putting food on the table or keeping a roof over their heads. As only one part of our COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the Federal government recently introduced the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which will provide Canadians who have lost their income because of COVID-19 $2,000 a month for up to 4 months in direct support.   Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, along with Jean-Yves Duclos, President of the Treasury Board, announced that Canadians will be able to start applying for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit starting April 6, 2020.  Applications for the CERB will open on April 6, 2020 at Canada.ca/coronavirus. Applicants for the CERB will be directed to apply through one of two service options: Canadians who would generally be eligible for Employment Insurance benefits will be directed to apply through Service Canada through Appliweb (a Service Canada specific web application tool for EI applications); orCanadians who would generally not be eligible for Employment Insurance benefits will be directed to apply through the Canada Revenue Agency’s MyAccount or CRA’s automated toll-free line at 1-800-959-2019. The CERB will be available to workers:   residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old; who have stopped working because of COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits;who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. Please note that: The income of at least $5,000 may be from any or a combination of the following sources: employment, self-employment, maternity and parental benefits under the Employment Insurance program.The Benefit is only available to individuals who stopped work as a result of reasons related to COVID-19.  If you have stopped working for reasons not related to COVID-19, you are not eligible for the CERB.

Please note, below is information on other very recent developments and announcements made in just the past few days.

Canada providing $2 billion to purchase more protective personal equipment On March 31, the Federal government announced they are investing $2 billion to purchase more protective personal equipment, including things like more masks and face shields, gowns, ventilators, test kits and swabs, and hand sanitizer to help ease the pressure on our health care facilities. Some of the key details: The Government has ordered 60 million N95 masks – a type of mask designed and fitted to filter out particles that carry the COVID-19 virus. These masks are expected to begin arriving this week. The Government has also ordered an additional 1,570 ventilators – a crucial piece of equipment to help patients with COVID-19, a respiratory disease, and having difficulty breathing – and is working to secure 4,000 more. We have also ordered more than a million COVID-19 test kits. And more supplies are coming. Since the Federal government launched Canada’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to Fight COVID-19, Canadian businesses and manufacturers have been stepping up to fight the pandemic. They are working with these companies to ensure our health care workers have the tools they need to care for Canadians across the country.  Some of the key developments: The Government has spoken directly with almost 3,000 Canadian companies that have offered their expertise and capacity to meet the country’s need for personal protective equipment and critical health supplies. They have signed new procurement agreements with Canadian companies Thornhill Medical, Medicom, and Spartan Bioscience to purchase and boost capacity to manufacture equipment and supplies including portable ventilators, surgical masks, and rapid testing kits. They have signed letters of intent with five companies – Precision Biomonitoring, Fluid Energy Group Ltd., Irving Oil, Calko Group, and Stanfield’s – to produce additional test kits, hand sanitizer, and protective apparel including masks and gowns. Canada Announces Major Increase in Emergency Support for Businesses On March 27th, Canada announced it is increasing its emergency support to businesses to help alleviate the pressure they are facing.  Here are some of the key features from the announcement: Increasing the temporary wage subsidy businesses to 75%, up from the previously announced 10%. This subsidy will be backdated to March 15. This subsidy is meant to help companies keep people on the payroll, so that workers are supported and the economy is positioned to recover from this.Launching the Canada Emergency Business Account. With this new measure, banks will soon offer $40,000 loans, which will be guaranteed by the government, to qualifying businesses. The loan will be interest free for the first year, and if you meet certain conditions, $10,000 will be forgivable.The Government will also provide an additional $12.5 billion through Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank to help small and medium-sized businesses with their operational cash flow requirements.Deferral of GST/HST payments, as well as duties and taxes owed on imports, until June. This is the equivalent of giving $30 billion in interest free loans to businesses.   I hope every finds this information useful and informative.  If you have any issues or concerns please contact my at 416-396-7222 or email councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca All my Best, Paul