July 28 Office of the Mayor and Council Update
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Transit announcement coming tomorrow
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The biggest single investment in transit in our history is being unveiled tomorrow at 10 am in Oakville.
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, the Honourable Anita Anand, MP Pam Damoff, and MPPs Stephen Crawford and Effie Triantafilopoulos will join me to mark the combined efforts of three levels of government to improve our Town's livability.
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Oakville continues to crush the curve
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For the fourth day in a row, Oakville has no new coronavirus cases.
Our residents continue to crush the curve and our country has fallen to 22nd most cases from 21st, on
worldometers.info
.
It’s a good sign as we await news tomorrow as to whether our neighbours in Toronto and Peel regions will join us in Stage 3.
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Please continue to follow the advice of public health, be kind to one another and don’t forget my three Cs of COVID-caution: Avoid closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings.
For the updated timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic, please scroll to the end of this email.
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Items in this update:
- COVID case counts
- These Oakville women say they have been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms for months and need help
- CHCH Morning Live visits Bronte, Kerr and Downtown Oakville
- Peelian Principles guide Halton Police Services
- Provincial Government announcements
- Weekend GO Train service resumes in Niagara region
- Ontario helping to protect communities against racism and hate
- Ontario fast-tracks long-term care home for Ajax
- Virtual visits with Ontario family doctors to remain the norm, for now
- Government of Canada announcements
- Government legislation to support Canadian workers, businesses, persons with disabilities and legal rights receives Royal Assent
- Government of Canada tracks progress on reducing price of wireless services
- Health Canada authorizes drug remdesivir for severe COVID-19 cases
- Canada provides exception for U.S. students planning to study north of border
- More than a third of coronavirus patients feel symptoms for weeks: CDC
- In related news
- People who wear face masks do not stop washing their hands: study
- COVID-19 risks for kids are low, must be balanced against cost of being out of school, doctors say
- Outside the GTA COVID-19 cases are headed upward
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Oakville Town Council represents seven wards with a Town and Regional and Town Councillor in each riding.
Find and connect with your Councillor by clicking the link below.
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Confirmed cases in Halton increased by
+1
from 826
to
827
with
0
new cases in
Oakville, total remains at 270.
There are currently
2
COVID-19 patients being cared for at OTMH and
9
active cases in Oakville.
There were
0
reported recoveries in Oakville, total remains at
286
and
0
recoveries in Halton Region, total remains at 855.
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There are 111 new cases in Ontario today, bringing the total to 38,910, 34,567 of which are resolved. There have been 2,768 COVID deaths and 96 COVID patients are currently hospitalized – 31 of whom are in ICU with 18 on a ventilator.
As of this morning, Canada had 114,597 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases. Provinces and territories listed 99,860 of the cases as recovered or resolved.
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COVID-19 deaths per million
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These Oakville women say they have been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms for months and need help
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An Oakville woman is calling on the federal government to fund research into individuals who continue to experience severe COVID-19 symptoms weeks after supposedly beating the virus.
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CHCH Morning Live visits Bronte, Kerr and Downtown
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This morning on CHCH Morning Live aird the segment recorded yesterday in which I joined Tim Bolen in Bronte for a walk and coffee to discuss our Welcome Back Oakville campaign, how Oakville is faring in Stage 3 and the idea of a staycation. Tim carried on through Oakville to visit Kerr Village and Downtown Oakville, visiting a number of local businesses along the way.
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Peelian Principles guide Halton Police Services
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Halton’s Police Service is founded upon and operates by, the Nine Peelian Principles of Community Policing. These Principles focus on community development, relationship building and prevention rather than a reaction to social problems. Our police service is proudly a forefront leader in Canada in its devotion to the Peelian Principles. Having these principles as our foundation has shaped our department and has helped make our community the safest in Canada.
Throughout July, the Halton Police Board highlighted all nine Peelian Principles on
social media.
The nine Peelian Principles that are the foundation of our service are:
PRINCIPLE 1
“The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.”
PRINCIPLE 2
“The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions.”
PRINCIPLE 3
“Police must secure the willing cooperation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public.”
PRINCIPLE 4
“The degree of cooperation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force.”
PRINCIPLE 5
“Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to the public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.”
PRINCIPLE 6
“Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice, and warning is found to be insufficient.”
PRINCIPLE 7
“Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.”
PRINCIPLE 8
“Police should always direct their action strictly towards their functions and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary.”
PRINCIPLE 9
“The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.”
Sir Robert Peel, considered the father of modern policing, developed these principles in 1829. His goals were to focus on the prevention of crime rather than catching criminals. He argued that this must be done through earning the support of the public by putting in the hard work to build a reputation. This, he said, can be done through enforcing the laws impartially, hiring officers who represent and understand the community, and using force only as a last resort.
These principles were as important then as they are now.
As one of the fastest-growing regions in Ontario, Halton Region has continued to secure our ranking as the safest of Canada’s large municipalities, with the highest crime solution rate and the lowest policing cost per capita. Following the advice of Sir Robert Peel, the Halton Regional Police Service prioritizes the best police training available in the world for the young women and men we attract and recruit to HRPS. We believe this expense is fundamental for the way they provide such exemplary service to their community.
As our community continues to grow and expands, we will continue to serve the community with these principles and goals as our guide, in every decision and interaction that we have.
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Provincial Government announcements
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Weekend GO Train service resumes in Niagara Region
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The Ontario government is resuming weekend GO train service to the Niagara region beginning on August 1. New schedules with four trips to and from Niagara Falls and St. Catharines each Saturday, Sunday and holiday will provide more service than ever before and enable convenient day or overnight trips, either in Niagara or Toronto.
Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, and Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, made the announcement today on behalf of Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation.
"This has been a very challenging time for the tourism sector, but today marks another step in Niagara Region's recovery," said Minister MacLeod. "I am thrilled that weekend GO service is able to resume to Niagara. It will make it easier for people to safely visit one of the most attractive destinations in Ontario. With the world-famous falls, parks, wineries and unique local business and attractions, the Niagara Region truly demonstrates how Ontario offers the world in one province."
GO Transit's partnership with Niagara Parks Commission connects WEGO bus service with the GO trains in Niagara Falls, seamlessly bringing travellers to their final Niagara Falls destinations with no taxis or parking needed.
Niagara Falls' accommodations, attractions, restaurants, retail stores and experiences are implementing stringent measures designed to ensure cleanliness, physical distancing and reduced contact. Visitors to the region are encouraged to check the local restrictions for Niagara at
niagarafallstourism.com
and
safetoplay.ca
.
"By increasing service to the Niagara Region, GO is once again connecting people with some of the finest parks, attractions and destinations in Ontario," said Minister Mulroney. "As most of the province enters Stage 3 of our reopening, it's a great time for people to safely and responsibly experience the region."
The government is encouraging people to travel regionally in order to rediscover the best Ontario has to offer while contributing to the province's social and economic recovery.
"The expansion of GO service to and from Niagara comes just in time for the August long weekend," said MPP Oosterhoff. "With trips scheduled every four hours, it offers consistent and flexible options for your trip with no traffic delays, so Niagara residents can now visit family and friends in Toronto on the weekend or safely visit other destinations."
The Ontario government will continue to work with the tourism and hospitality sectors to ensure that as the province gradually reopens, Ontario will be in the best position to welcome the world back to the province.
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The Ontario government is investing $1.6 million over two years to create a new Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Grant program. This funding will support community-based anti-racism initiatives focusing on anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
"Racism and hate will not be tolerated and our government is doing everything it can to protect people from being victimized because of their race or religious beliefs," said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism. "This new grant program will be developed collaboratively with community partners across Ontario to ensure it leads to the most effective solutions in the fight against racism and hate in our province. These much-needed solutions cannot come from government alone."
The Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Grant program supports the government's commitment to collaborate with communities on anti-racism initiatives, which includes increasing public awareness of the impact of systemic racism and hate. Beginning in fall 2020, Ontario's
Anti-Racism Directorate
will collaborate with community groups to learn about individual experiences and local needs to help shape and design this new grant program.
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The Ontario government announced that a new long-term care home will be built at Lakeridge Health's Ajax Pickering Hospital site in months, not years. The project is part of the province's
Accelerated Build Pilot Program
. By working with Lakeridge Health and Infrastructure Ontario, the province intends to build up to 320 new long-term care beds by 2021 at this site.
The pilot program is part of the government's plan to create new long-term care beds across the province that include features such as air conditioning and private or semi-private rooms, beginning immediately. The pilot program was launched last week in Mississauga where 640 new beds will be built by 2021.
Details about the new project were provided today by Premier Doug Ford who was joined by Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care, Sharon Cochran, Chair of the Lakeridge Health Board of Trustees, John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for the Regional Municipality of Durham, and Shaun Collier, Mayor of Ajax.
"Government after government failed to make the necessary investments in our long-term care homes and that ends now," said Premier Ford. "With our new modernized funding model and this innovative pilot program, we will get shovels in the ground faster on these critical projects and ensure more seniors get the quality care they deserve. I won't rest until every senior in Ontario has a safe and comfortable place to call home."
Through the use of hospital lands, and a range of accelerating measures such as modular construction and rapid procurement, the government and its partners are targeting completion of the project in 2021, years faster than the traditional timeline. Lakeridge Health will work with Infrastructure Ontario to manage the day-to-day construction oversight, monitor commissioning, and provide timely status reporting on progress.
"This project is a key step towards repairing the cracks in our long-term care system, addressing our growing waitlist, building healthier communities, and ending hallway health care," said Minister Fullerton. "Our government will continue to implement innovative ideas and modern solutions to provide our vulnerable seniors with a place to call home and the care they need."
Working together with long-term care and health system partners, Ontario continues to use innovative ideas and modern solutions to help end hallway health care and increase long-term care capacity in communities across the province.
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Virtual visits with Ontario family doctors
to remain the norm, for now
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While Ontario's Stage 3 reopening means people can go to bars and eat in restaurants, family physicians are unlikely to transition from virtual to in-person visits any time soon, despite concerns over potential long-term consequences.
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Government of Canada announcements
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Government legislation to support Canadian workers, businesses, persons with disabilities, and legal rights receives Royal Assent
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The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action through Canada’s
COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
to support Canadians and protect jobs during the global COVID-19 pandemic, and to position them for a strong and safe economic restart in the wake of the crisis.
Bill C-20, An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures, yesterday received Royal Assent, ensuring that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will continue to protect jobs by helping businesses keep employees on the payroll and encouraging employers to re-hire workers previously laid off. The broader and better targeted CEWS will make sure that Canadian workers and businesses are in a better position as our economy safely re-opens.
Specifically, the changes introduced in Bill C-20 will:
- Allow the extension of the CEWS until December 19, 2020, including redesigned program details until November 21, 2020.
- Make the subsidy more accessible to a broader range of employers by providing a gradually decreasing base subsidy to all eligible employers that are experiencing a decline in revenues. This will help many struggling employers with less than a 30-per-cent revenue loss get support to keep and bring back workers, while also ensuring those who have previously benefited could still qualify, even if their revenues recover and no longer meet the 30 per cent revenue decline threshold.
- Introduce a top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25 per cent for employers that have been most adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This will be particularly helpful to employers in industries that are recovering more slowly.
- Provide certainty to employers that have already made business decisions for July and August by ensuring they will not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have under the previous rules.
- Address technical issues with the CEWS identified by stakeholders, for example by providing continuity rules to address circumstances where an employer purchased all or substantially all of another entity’s business assets.
- Make the proposed amendments to the CEWS previously introduced in Bill C-17, An Act respecting additional COVID-19 measures.
By helping workers transition back to their jobs and supporting businesses as they increase revenues, these changes will ensure that Canada comes back strong with businesses that are competitive and workers who are able to more quickly get back to work, thanks to the CEWS.
Bill C-20 will also allow for the sharing of information to facilitate the delivery of a one-time payment for persons with disabilities. The Government is moving forward with a non-taxable and non-reportable payment of up to $600 to approximately 1.7 million eligible individuals who:
- Are holders of a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate (eligible persons not yet in possession of such a certificate will be able to apply for one up to 60 days after today’s Royal Assent to be considered for the one-time payment);
- Currently receive Canada Pension Plan disability benefits or Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits; or
- Are in receipt of disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Canadians, businesses and other organizations may be unable to meet time limits set out in federal legislation, including those for civil court cases and some key regulatory matters. The Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) enacted through Bill C-20 retroactively suspends time limits in civil litigation proceedings and allows federal ministers to make temporary orders to extend or suspend time limits in specific federal legislation for which they are responsible. This new Act will minimize unintended legal consequences on Canadians and Canadian businesses during these difficult times.
The government continues to assess and respond to the impacts of COVID-19, and stands ready to take additional actions as needed to stabilize the economy and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.
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Government of Canada tracks progress on reducing prices of wireless services
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s telecommunications service providers and their front-line workers have been doing their part and providing essential services to keep Canadians connected. Now more than ever, Canadians are relying on telecommunications services for work, school, finances and health care—making access to high-quality and affordable services essential. That is why the Government of Canada continues to be committed to helping reduce the cost of some of the most popular wireless plans by 25 percent over the next two years and further increasing competition, as well as tracking progress toward this goal.
Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the publication of
the first set of wireless pricing data
on 2 GB to 6 GB data plans from February to June 2020. Price monitoring will be ongoing, and wireless pricing data on these plans will be updated quarterly going forward.
Over the next two years, the three major wireless providers and their flanker brands, which represent 90 percent of the national market, will be expected to offer plans in the 2 GB to 6 GB range that are 25 percent cheaper.
If these options are not offered to Canadians by then, the Government will look at other regulatory tools to further increase competition in the marketplace and help reduce prices.
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Health Canada authorizes
drug remdesivir for severe COVID-19 cases
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Health Canada has authorized with conditions the drug remdesivir for patients with severe COVID-19, though Canada's top doctor says the supply is limited.
The drug — which will go by the brand name Veklury — is manufactured by Gilead Sciences Canada.
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Canada provides exception for
U.S. students planning to study north of border
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The federal government appears to have relaxed restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border that would have made it impossible for first-year university students from the United States to enter the country.
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More than a third of coronavirus patients feel symptoms for weeks, CDC says
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Coronavirus symptoms can stick around for weeks, even in otherwise healthy people who don't have a severe case of the virus, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a grim new analysis.
The CDC surveyed 292 people who tested positive for the virus, and 35 per cent said they still weren't back to their usual good health even two or three weeks after testing positive.
While older people were more likely to feel prolonged symptoms, even young adults without underlying conditions reported feeling unwell for a long period of time, the CDC said.
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In other COVID-related news:
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People who wear face masks do not stop washing their hands: study
People who choose to wear a face mask are not likely to wash their hands less as a result, a new study has found.
COVID-19 risks for kids are low, must be balanced against cost of being out of school, doctors say
Canadian parents have questions about the looming school year, but the latest research shows young children are at low risk of getting or spreading the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and that missing school can have long-term costs for a child's well-being.
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Outside the GTA, COVID-19 cases are headed upward: 4 charts that show the state of the pandemic in Ontario right now
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Celebrate Emancipation Day with a free BBQ picnic
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Celebrate Emancipation Day from home this year with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton's
free Emancipation Day BBQ.
Register now for a free lunchbox and play pack, and pick up your mouthwatering meal at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre on Aug. 1, 2020.
Take it all home and tune into the CCAH YouTube channel for the premiere of their documentary,
Legacy Voices.
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Halton Environmental Network is launching Pop-up Clean-ups! The socially distanced clean-ups are a safe and fun way to enjoy the outdoors while making a difference in your community. Not only will you be cleaning up litter, but you’ll be tracking the waste you find. The collected data will empower our community to make informed decisions on how to protect our environment.
You can either lead a clean-up or take part in one! Students also have the opportunity to gain volunteer hours for school credit with each clean-up they do. If you are interested, please register
here
.
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Sign the CN intermodal e-Petition now
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This e-Petition is a collaborative effort between Milton RAIL, Milton Says No and Halton Region, to serve as the response from Halton residents during this last, vital public consultation period in the environmental assessment process.
The Review Panel Report states that the Project (CN intermodal terminal AKA Milton Logistics Hub) is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects on human health caused by air quality.
The Federal Government can still determine that the environmental effects to human health - 1,600 transport trucks on the roads every day plus the operation of a dangerous industrial facility - are justified. This would be set a devastating precedent for Canadian municipalities.
This petition is meant to ensure the Federal Government understands that significant adverse effects to human health cannot be justified.
Instructions:
1. Sign the petition
- There is no minimum age to sign
- Every signature, however, must have a unique email address (an email address may only be used once on the petition).
2. Watch for an email from the House of Commons! You must verify and confirm your signature, it will not count unless you complete this step.
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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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