June 29 Office of the Mayor and Council Update
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New campaign encourages safe, local support
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Today, my Economic Task Force officially launched the "Welcome back, Oakville" campaign.
This community-wide, support local marketing campaign, coordinated in partnership with Oakville’s Business Improvement Areas, the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, Visit Oakville, and the Town of Oakville’s Economic Development department
was developed with the goal to help rebuild consumer confidence and promote commercial recovery.
The Welcome Back Oakville campaign will include a series of online videos spotlighting the familiar faces and safe spaces of Oakville’s businesses. Community activations will be coordinated to encourage residents to support local in new ways and rediscover the small businesses that make up the fabric of Oakville’s economy. Businesses and consumers are encouraged to use the #WelcomeBackOakville hashtag to show local support online.
As we foray further into reopening and recovery, remember how far we've come in this pandemic journey by scrolling to the end of this email for the updated timeline.
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Items in this update:
- COVID case counts
- Coronavirus hits grim global milestones
- Six month coronavrius checkup
- Canadian Blood Services to start testing for COVID-19 antibodies
- Canadians says they suffered COVID symptoms for months
- Hopes dimmed for herd immunity
- Statement on racist graffiti discovered in Oakville
- Town of Oakville announcements
- New categories added to online reporting tool
- How to sign up for Lakeshore construction updates
- Visit Oakville Talk of the Town awards to resume
- Halton police directed to create data collection program
- Provincial Government announcements
- Ontario extends Emergency Orders to July 10
- Ontario increasing oversight of towing industry
- COVID cases explode among agri-farm workers
- Hours-long lines for COVID testing in Kingston
- Government of Canada announcements
- Update on sales tax and duty payment deferral
- Support for equitable access to COVID-19 medical solutions
- Latest Canadian COVID-19 projectinos released
- Military confirms 40 per cent of COVID-positive troops deployed to long-term care homes were asymptomatic
- What schools could look like in September, by region
- Coronavirus cases hit 10 million worldwide
- Governments consider renewed lockdowns
- South Korea's capital eyes stronger restrictions
- In other COVID-related news
- Where you can travel within Canada
- What going to the movies looks like
- Lessons Canada can take from the United States' mishandling
- Can city council abolish the Toronto police force?
- Suburbs boom, Toronto fizzles
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Total confirmed cases in Halton increased by
16
from the last report on Friday from 736 to
752
with
+5
new confirmed cases in Oakville, from 246 to
251.
There were
7
reported recoveries in Oakville, total remains from 252 to
259
and
+15
recoveries in Halton Region from 737 to
752
.
That leaves 15 actives cases in Oakville and there are currently no COVID patients being treated at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.
Oakville's community transmission rate is holding at 37 per cent as pictured below.
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Ontario reported 257 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, with 177 of those cases confirmed by the Windsor-Essex public health unit following targeted testing of migrant farm workers over the weekend.
There has now been a total of 34,911 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario since late January. About 86.5 per cent of those are resolved, including an additional 89 marked resolved yesterday. Some 2,050 cases remain active.
The number of patients in Ontario hospitals with confirmed infections of the novel coronavirus increased by 18, up to 232. At the peak of the outbreak, more than 1,000 people with the illness were hospitalized.
Meanwhile, those requiring intensive care fell by five, down to 46, and the number on ventilators dropped by 1 to 35.
Another grim milestone was passed over the weekend in the coronavirus pandemic: More than 500,000 people have died worldwide of the illness caused by the virus, according to a tally from
Johns Hopkins University researchers
.
To date, more than 10 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported globally. About a quarter of them have been reported in the U.S., where more than 125,000 people have died.
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COVID-19 deaths per million
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As the coronavirus hits grim global milestones, Canada’s new cases, deaths drop
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Overall, a little over 28,500 active cases remain throughout Canada, with more than 66,000 recoveries.
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Six-month checkup: How Canada and the world are faring against the novel coronavirus
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A spokesman for the World Health Organization (WHO) says Canada is seeing success in battling back the novel coronavirus, but the faster-rising infection numbers around the world could pose trouble here, too.
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Canadian Blood Services will start testing for COVID-19 antibodies in coming weeks
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Canadian Blood Services is gearing up to start testing for COVID-19 antibodies in the next few weeks, contributing to a massive cross-country study to determine just how many people have been infected with the disease.
Chantale Pambrun, director of Canadian Blood Services’ Centre for Innovation, said the organization partnered with the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force in the spring. The
task force
was set up by the federal government to co-ordinate efforts around understanding immunity, and includes researchers from across the country.
The blood banks have been saving samples from people who donated in the past few months, which they can rapidly test to inform the task force.
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These Canadians say they suffered COVID-19 symptoms for months
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Some Canadians are still reporting symptoms of COVID-19, months after they first caught the disease.
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Asymptomatic COVID-19 findings dim hopes for 'herd immunity' and 'immunity passports'
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A closer look at people who tested positive for COVID-19 but never developed symptoms has found that such asymptomatic carriers have few to no detectable antibodies just weeks after infection, suggesting they may not develop lasting immunity.
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Statement on racist graffiti discovered in Oakville
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Racist, hateful graffiti was discovered yesterday in an Oakville neighbourhood and reported by residents to the Halton Police.
Our community is revolted by the racist message. I condemn this act of racism in the strongest possible terms.
I apologize on behalf of our community to the families who were made to feel unsafe or unwelcome in their own community. Town Council and Oakville residents and I stand with our black community for the inclusive, diverse, and equitable community we are all working for.
I call on all residents to be vigilant and to report any acts of racism or hatred in our community.
I and the families hurt by this hateful act are glad the Halton Police are actively investigating and confident they will find those responsible. Any information that is helpful to the investigation and media inquiries should be directed to the Halton Police at (905) 825-4777.
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Town of Oakville announcements
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New categories added to online reporting tool
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We added two new categories to our Report a Problem online tool so residents can submit requests anytime from the comfort of their homes. Under Noise and Nuisance, residents can now report Fireworks Noise and Construction Dust.
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Sign up for Lakeshore construction updates
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Want regular updates on the Lakeshore Road construction?
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The Visit Oakville Talk of the Town Awards to return July 8, 2020
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We pressed pause in April while everyone adjusted to the new normal, but now we’re bringing the
Talk of the Town Awards
back as a way to celebrate the tourism businesses still working hard to serve our community.
We will announce one or two new categories each month that will be open for voting on visitoakville.com over the span of one week. The first category will be announced on July 8, 2020.
All voting happens digitally, so you can support your favourite local businesses whether you’re living in Oakville or have visited us in the past.
Start shaping our recommendations for future travellers and help us say thank you to these organizations that have adapted in the face of adversity.
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Halton police directed to create program to collect demographic data from those they interact with
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Does a particular segment of Halton’s population have more negative experiences with police than others? If so, a proposed data collection initiative may soon be able to shine some light on this situation.
The Halton Police Board voted during its Thursday, June 25, meeting to direct Halton police to develop policies and procedures for the collection and analysis of demographic data in policing.
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Provincial Government announcements
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Ontario extends Emergency Orders to July 10
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The Ontario government has extended all emergency orders currently in force that were made under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until July 10, 2020, while removing restrictions that were limiting access to certain sport training facilities. This decision was made in consultation with Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health to ensure the safe and gradual reopening of the province on a regional basis can continue as part of Ontario's
Framework for Reopening the Province
.
The extension of the emergency orders will allow key measures needed in the fight against COVID-19 to continue, including allowing frontline health care providers and public health units to redeploy staff where they are needed most, while providing the government with the tools it needs to successfully steer the province through the next stage of reopening and beyond.
"While we have made truly incredible progress in our fight against COVID-19, thanks to the collective efforts of our frontline heroes and the people of Ontario, we know that we must remain vigilant," said Premier Doug Ford. "These emergency orders will allow us to take action, if necessary, to ensure our continued success as we reopen our province and get more people back to work."
In addition, the government has removed certain restrictions for Stage 2 indoor sports and recreational fitness activities facilities. This will enable the facilities to be used by more businesses and organizations to train amateur or professional athletes, or to run certain non-contact amateur or professional athletic competitions. In all cases, facility owners would only be able to permit activities to occur in a way that meets public health requirements. These changes will also enable many sports and recreational organizations around the province to again offer sport training programming, helping more people return to sport in Ontario.
On June 24, Ontario announced the
extension of the Declaration of Emergency
to July 15, allowing the province to continue to make or amend emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The government continues to review all these emergency orders to determine when and if it is safe to amend or lift them as restrictions are eased and more places in the province reopen in a safe and measured way.
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The Ontario government is establishing a task force to improve provincial oversight of the towing industry. The task force will help develop a regulatory model that will increase safety and enforcement, clarify protections for consumers, improve industry standards and consider tougher penalties for violators. The government is taking this action in response to concerns raised about incidents of criminal activity and violence in the towing industry.
The task force will review a number of topics related to the towing industry, which could include provincial oversight of safety, consumer protection, improved industry standards, training and background checks.
As part of the review, the task force may consider opportunities for increased protections for consumers against the first-to-scene unethical business practices, insurance savings through a crackdown on insurance fraud rings or improved consumer choice for payments and repairs. The province is also reviewing ways to improve our transportation system by clearing accidents more quickly which would minimize lane reductions and reduce congestion on our highways.
Membership of the task force will include representatives from the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of the Solicitor General, the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, the Ministry of Finance and the Ontario Provincial Police. Once the task force has developed proposals for discussion and comment, it will be consulting with industry, municipalities, and public safety experts.
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COVID cases explode among agri-farm workers
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COVID-19 has exploded among agri-farm workers outside Windsor with almost 200 new cases on the weekend and public health units from London and elsewhere sending staff to help control the outbreaks.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit reported 87 more cases in farm workers Monday on top of 96 the previous day — both highs for the region and all at the same operation officials would not identify.
“It’s unprecedented. Nobody was expecting this high number,” medical officer of health Dr. Wajid Ahmed told a news conference Monday in Windsor.
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Hours-long lines for COVID-19 testing in Kingston following outbreak
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Hundreds of people across the Kingston, Ont., region are now being tested after potentially being exposed to the novel coronavirus, and health officials say they're expecting more positive tests by the end of the weekend after an outbreak at a local nail salon.
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Government of Canada announcements
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Update on sales tax and duty payment deferral
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The Government of Canada has taken necessary measures throughout Canada’s
COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
to support Canadians and businesses facing difficult challenges as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak.
On March 27, the government announced that it would allow businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) payments, as well as customs duty payments owed for imports, until the end of June. The money this left in the pockets of business owners – the equivalent of providing up to $30 billion in interest-free loans – helped them continue to pay their employees and their bills, and helped ease cash-flow challenges across the country.
Today, with a broad range of measures and support programs now in place to help and provide assistance to those businesses and individuals most affected by the economic impacts of the pandemic through the
COVID -19 Economic Response Plan
, the GST/HST and customs duty payment deferral is ending as planned on June 30.
Businesses that continue to experience difficulty in remitting GST/HST and customs duty amounts owing can contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to make a request for the cancellation of penalties and interest, and/or for a flexible payment arrangement with the CRA.
The Government of Canada continues to assess and respond to the impacts of COVID-19. It stands ready to take additional actions as needed to stabilize the economy and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.
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Support for equitable access to new COVID-19 medical solutions
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COVID-19 has changed the lives of people everywhere and highlighted inequalities around the world. All countries are affected and strong global cooperation and solidarity are needed to fight this pandemic. Canada is committed to working with countries around the world to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to new solutions developed to test, treat and immunize against COVID-19. At the same time, international support is needed to address the immediate humanitarian and development impact of the pandemic in developing countries, with particular attention to the most vulnerable.
Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, Saturday announced a commitment of $120 million in support of the activities of the Access to COVID-19 (ACT) Accelerator – with $20 million of that total for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Canada joined other world leaders to launch the ACT Accelerator – a global collaboration to accelerate the development, production and equitable distribution of new COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines – in May 2020.
Canada will also invest an additional $180 million to address the immediate humanitarian and development impacts of this crisis, helping communities in developing countries mitigate and address the challenges they are facing right now. This funding will support programming aligned with international response plans on priorities, such as essential food security, nutrition, and education initiatives.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made this commitment earlier today during his participation alongside other global leaders in the Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Summit, organized by Global Citizen and the European Commission. The Prime Minister will also participate in the upcoming Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Concert.
Today’s funding investments will help key partners assist those countries whose economies are most at risk due to the pandemic and improve their resilience.
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Latest Canadian COVID-19 projections released
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Cumulative COVID-19 cases by July 12 could range from 103,940 to 108,130 — Canada is already at 103,250.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says new federal models show continued progress in suppressing COVID-19, but with significant hotspots.
He says the restrictions Canadians have lived with through the spring have worked to get the novel coronavirus under control. But if we let up, Trudeau says the country could still be at risk.
A new explosion in cases could mean a return to tight restrictions, he warns.
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Military confirms 40 per cent of COVID-positive troops deployed to long-term care homes were asymptomatic
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A number of Canadian troops infected with the novel coronavirus may have been carrying the virus symptom-free when they were deployed to long-term care homes — and may even have contracted it in the hotels where they were billeted — the country's top military commander acknowledged today.
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Kindergarten to Grade 12: What schools could look like in September, by region
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Masks? Smaller classes? Days at home? Questions remain about how the average classroom will look in September.
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Coronavirus cases have hit 10 million worldwide, with 500,000 deaths. Where do we go from here?
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Experts say the rate of infection, which has accelerated over the past month, could be slowed if countries start learning from each other.
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Coronavirus cases surge worldwide, governments consider renewed lockdowns
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As infections rise along with summer temperatures in the northern hemisphere, many governments are stepping up testing and mulling more aggressive moves such as renewed lockdowns to stem fresh outbreaks.
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South Korea’s capital eyes stronger restrictions as coronavirus cases climb
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South Korea's health said Sunday afternoon that the government is prepared to implement stronger social distancing measures if the epidemic continues to grow.
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In other COVID-related news:
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Where can you travel within Canada? A look at COVID-19 restrictions
If you're looking to explore Canada this summer, you'll first have to navigate the fluctuating patchwork of travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus throughout the country.
What going to the movies looks like in the age of COVID-19
As movie theatres in some parts of Canada open their doors amid the COVID-19 pandemic, customers will notice new safety measures as they munch their popcorn.
The lessons Canada can take from the U.S.'s mishandling of COVID-
19
A surge in COVID-19 cases in some U.S. states has important lessons for Canada as lockdown measures continue to lift across the country.
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Can city council abolish the Toronto police force? Eight key questions as council debates defunding the police this week
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Suburbs Boom, Toronto Fizzles As World's Major Cities Witness A Pandemic ExodusThe question is, will people come back when the pandemic is behind us?
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By Daniel Tencer
The Toronto skyline as seen from Riverdale Park. Toronto's suburbs are outpacing the city as the housing market recovers from the pandemic lockdowns.
For the past few years, you could hear the crickets chirp in the housing market in York Region, north of Toronto. Prices had come down after the province introduced a foreign buyers’ tax, and this time last year, the area was a “buyer’s market,” with relatively few sales.
Today, amid a pandemic and a major economic slowdown, home sales there are almost back to pre-pandemic levels. And with fewer homes listed, the market has bounced back to “balanced” territory, real estate portal Zoocasa declared this week.
“There seems to be a resurgence in demand for York Region detached properties due to the pandemic,” said Claudio Castro, a Zoocasa agent who works in the area. “As more people recognize that they may not need to be in the office five days a week for the foreseeable future, many are revisiting detached properties in the region so they can have more space.”
In Durham Region, east of Toronto, sales were actually up 8 per cent compared to a year ago, while in Halton Region, west of the city, sales were up 22 per cent at the end of June, according to a Zoocasa analysis of data from the local real estate board.
Both Durham and Halton were “seller’s markets” in recent weeks, Zoocasa said, with sales rising faster than new listings. Meanwhile, in the City of Toronto sales were down 13 per cent in the same period, and Zoocasa called it a balanced market.
“It may be too early to say with certainty, but based on what our agents are experiencing and what the market data shows us thus far, the uptick in interest in outlying regions like York, for example ... could be attributed at least in part to the pandemic,” a Zoocasa spokesperson told HuffPost Canada.
“That being said, the pandemic and the economic and health-care conditions that it has created are unprecedented, so it remains to be seen what kind of broader, long term impact it will have on housing demand across the GTA.”
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We're bringing the party to you, eh
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The Town of Oakville is excited to bring you a full day of virtual entertainment and activities you can do from the comfort of your home on July 1, 2020.
We invite you to enjoy musical performances, Canada Day themed challenges, a town-wide singing of O Canada, virtual fireworks display, and more!
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Food Banks experiencing record demand
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Oakville's food banks are in record-breaking demand. If you can donate anything, please do. Your help is needed.
Kerr Street Mission:
905-845-7485 or donate online at kerrstreet.com
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Oakville Meals on Wheels continues to operate
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakville Meals on Wheels continues to operate under increased safety measures. I
f you know or are aware of someone who is struggling, call 211 and get help to navigate the network of health, community and social service programs. This service is offered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and has interpretation for over 150 languages. And, if you are able, please consider supporting the Meals on Wheels effort by making a donation.
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Call the COVID-19 hotline
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For the duration of the pandemic, if a member of the public wishes to report an incident of non-compliance with the emergency orders, they may contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722
It is critical that our residents use 911 for emergencies only.
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