August 11 Office of the Mayor and Council Update |
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We need your input to shape future growth |
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As Halton Region reviews the Official Plan, we need your input.
The official plan, which guides things like housing and green space protection, also helps ensure the Region is meeting the needs of residents while preserving a high quality of life for residents.
The online questionnaire is being conducted until Monday, Sept. 28 and virtual public information centres will be held this fall.
In addition to filling out the questionnaire, I encourage you to reach out to your local Resident Association, your Ward and Regional Councillor and me with your input as well.
You should also sign up for updates on the Regional Official Plan Review and read all of the Official Plan Review discussion papers found in the July 15 Regional Council agenda.
Please scroll to the end of this email for the updated COVID-19 pandemic timeline.
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Items in this update:
- COVID case counts
- Russia becomes first country to register coronavirus vaccine
- Global coronavirus cases top 20 million
- Testing, tracing and distancing key to prevent COVID-19 resurgence
- Parents say some children experiencing 'long haul' symptoms too
- More than 500 COVID infections in Canada linked to exposures at public places
- Town of Oakville announcements
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Coming soon to Oakville: 46 electric vehicle charging stations
- Provincial Government announcements
- Ontario fast-tracks long-term care home in Toronto
- Ontario providing $2 million to help those affected by the Beirut explosion
- What we know about Ontario's plans to send kids back to school
- What we know about the plan for Ontario's school buses
- Government of Canada announcements
- Updated Emergency Wage Subsidy Calculator launches
- Prime Minister announces more assistance for Lebanon
- B.C. no longer a model for COVID-19 prevention
- Coronavirus breaks out again in New Zealand after 102 days
- New York's true coronavirus death toll a mystery as officials hold data
- In related news
- No one's talking about winter yet. When it comes to COVID-19, here's why we should
- Coffee shops, food courts and lunch spots expected to lose billions as more of us work from home
- COVID-19 hospitalizations rise to highest point since June
- Burlington hospital's 93-bed pandemic unit has yet to see first COVID-19 patient
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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 +4 from 843 to 847 with +3 new confirmed cases in Oakville, from 277 to 280.
There are currently 0 COVID-19 patients being cared for at OTMH and there are 12 active cases in Oakville.
There were 0 reported recoveries in Oakville, total remains at 293 and 0 recoveries in Halton Region, total remains at 880.
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Ontario reported just 33 new cases of COVID-19 today, the lowest number since March 18, the day after the province declared a pandemic state of emergency. That brings the total to 40,194 with 36,456 of those resolved and 2,786 deaths. Currently there are 60 patients being treated for COVID-19 in Ontario hospitals, with 21 of those in ICU and 12 on ventilators.
As of today, Canada has 120,132 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases. Provinces and territories listed 106,355 of those as recovered or resolved. A tally of deaths stands at 9,025.
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COVID-19 deaths per million |
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Russia becomes first country to register coronavirus vaccine, Putin's daughter given it |
Russia on Tuesday became the first country to clear a coronavirus vaccine and declare it ready for use, despite international skepticism. President Vladimir Putin said that one of his daughters has already been inoculated.
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Global coronavirus cases top 20 million, doubling in 45 days |
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The number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide topped 20 million, more than half of them from the United States, India and Brazil.
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Testing, tracing and distancing key to prevent COVID-19 resurgence, new models show |
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Keeping the novel coronavirus at bay will require many more months of physical distancing, ramped-up testing and contact tracing, quarantining and workplace and community closures to handle outbreaks, says a new report published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
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Coming soon to Oakville: 46 electric vehicle charging stations |
Oakville is creating a community-wide network of electric vehicle charging stations to encourage more people to use electric vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is made possible through funding of $220,000 from the Government of Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
“We know that the emission of greenhouse gases is the largest human influence on climate change. Making it easier for residents to make the switch to electric vehicles is part of the town’s commitment to reduce our community’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2041,” said Mayor Rob Burton.
Oakville has one of the highest electric vehicle (EV) ownerships per capita in Ontario, however research shows that ‘range anxiety’ – the concern of where to find EV chargers – remains a key barrier for people who are interested in purchasing EVs.
The town received funding to support 22 dual charging stations, totaling 44 EV parking spaces. Council approved an additional dual station to be installed at the new Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre, expected to open this fall, bringing the total to 46 chargers. The total project cost is $607,200. The town’s portion of $348,000 to purchase and install the charging stations was approved in 2019 as part of the 2020 Capital Budget, and is part of the town’s commitment through the Community Energy Strategy.
The network of EV charger locations was selected based on proximity to main streets, shopping areas and recreation facilities:
- 16 in Downtown Oakville
- 2 in Kerr Village
- 4 in Bronte Village
- 4 at Oakville Town Hall
- 6 at the Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre
- 2 at Trafalgar Park Community Center
- 2 at Joshua Creek Community Centre
- 2 at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre
- 2 at River Oaks Community Centre
- 2 at Glen Abbey Community Centre
- 2 at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex
- 2 at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre
The first eight charging stations will be installed in downtown as part of the Downtown Lakeshore Road revitalization project. Four chargers will be installed on Lakeshore Road later this summer/early fall and an additional four will be installed on Lakeshore Road later in 2020 once the second phase of the project is complete.
Installation of the remaining 38 stations will happen over the course of 2020 and 2021.
A fee for using the chargers will help to recoup the capital investment made by the town and cover the ongoing energy, maintenance and operating expenses. Chargers located in municipal paid-parking spaces in the business improvement areas (Downtown Oakville, Kerr Village and Bronte Village), will have an integrated system so that motorists will pay one fee for both charging and parking.
The EV charging stations complement a number of programs in place to support climate action. News of the EV stations comes just days after a joint federal, provincial, and municipal announcement of funding to begin replacing all of Oakville Transit’s buses with zero-emission battery-electric buses. The funding, part of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, also includes accessibility improvements to landing pads, walkways, ramps, and curbs at approximately 249 bus stops in town and will support a healthier, sustainable, and accessible community.
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Provincial Government announcements |
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The Ontario government announced that a new long-term care home will be built at Humber River Hospital's Finch site in months, not years. The project is part of the province's Accelerated Build Pilot Program. By working with Humber River Hospital and Infrastructure Ontario, the province intends to build up to 320 new long-term care beds at this site by the end of next year.
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 on July 21, 2020 in Mississauga where two new homes with up to 640 new beds will be built, and followed up with another project announced on July 28, 2020 in Ajax where 320 new beds will be built.
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 by the end of 2021, years faster than the traditional timeline for long-term care development. Humber River Hospital will work with Infrastructure Ontario to manage the day-to-day construction and commissioning oversight.
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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Today, Premier Doug Ford announced the Ontario government is providing $2 million to the Canadian Red Cross through the International Disaster Relief Program to help people and families affected by the tragic explosion that occurred in Beirut, Lebanon on August 4, 2020. This is one of the largest contributions the Ontario government has ever made towards an international humanitarian relief effort.
The Ontario government's contribution will help the Red Cross prepare for and respond to humanitarian needs as the situation continues to evolve in Lebanon, including for mobile health outreach. The Red Cross is working to coordinate emergency relief and recovery efforts, getting help to people in affected areas as quickly as possible.
"From the moment of the explosion in Beirut, Red Cross personnel have been responding around the clock by providing emergency medical assistance, food, water, masks, gloves and other essential relief items to assist the people impacted by this tragic event," said Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. "We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for their generous financial support, which will help the Red Cross to continue its critical work on the ground in Lebanon. The funding announced today will go a long way to assist with the immediate needs of the individuals and families affected by the explosion, and as they begin their road to recovery."
"We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario provincial government," said Mr. Greg Bostajian, Honorary Consul of Lebanon in Toronto. "Their generous and historic contribution will help the Lebanese people on their road to recovery. On behalf of the diaspora of Lebanese Canadians living in Ontario, we are thankful for the humanitarian efforts of our leaders and our community. The support we have received is inspiring and reminds us how blessed we are to have two beautiful nations to call home."
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What we know about Ontario’s plans to send kids back to school |
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What we know (so far) about the plan for Ontario’s school buses |
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Government of Canada announcements |
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Government of Canada launches updated Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Calculator to support employers |
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The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) helps employers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to keep workers on their payroll or bring back previously laid-off employees. To ensure that Canadian workers and businesses are in a better position as our economy safely re-opens, the Government has recently implemented changes to the CEWS that broaden the reach of the program and provide better targeted support.
Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, launched an updated and improved Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy online calculator. It will help small and large employers alike prepare to apply for the next period of the CEWS program, which will open for applications on August 17, 2020.
The CEWS calculator can be found on the CRA’s Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy web page, which includes detailed information to help employers understand how the CEWS can support their employees and operations, who is eligible to apply, and how claim periods are structured. The calculator uses a step-by-step approach to get employers to enter information about their business situation to provide an estimate of the subsidy they can expect to receive.
The calculator also includes printable spreadsheet and statement features that employers can use to view their claim at a glance and enter required information into the CEWS application form quickly and easily.
By providing employers with detailed information about their subsidy claim, the CEWS calculator can assist them in making informed decisions about retaining or re-hiring workers. The CRA will conduct a series of information sessions in the coming weeks for eligible employers and stakeholder organizations.
The CRA will open applications for CEWS Period 5 on August 17, 2020. Enhancements to the program, which are being introduced in Period 5, will include expanding eligibility criteria, introducing a sliding revenue-decline test to determine the subsidy amount, and providing a top-up subsidy for the most impacted employers. Employers can expect to receive their payment within 3-5 business days after applying if they are registered with direct deposit on their payroll account.
The CEWS exists to help workers transition back to their jobs and to support employers as they increase their revenues. The CRA is committed to providing employers – including newly eligible employers as a result of the enhanced CEWS – with the information and resources they need to apply and benefit from this important economic measure.
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Prime Minister announces more assistance for Lebanon |
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The Prime Minister announced yesterday that Canada is providing an additional $25 million, for a total of $30 million, in assistance for the people of Lebanon following the explosion. This funding will help trusted partners address immediate humanitarian needs and support efforts for early recovery. The Government of Canada will also continue to match donations from Canadians through the Lebanon Matching Fund, up to a new expanded maximum of $5 million.
Support announced today adds to the $5 million in humanitarian assistance that Canada provided for Lebanon last week, including an initial $1.5 million given immediately to trusted humanitarian organizations such as the Lebanese Red Cross. Our contributions will help to support emergency medical services and provide shelter, food, and other essential items for people impacted by the blast.
Canada and Lebanon have a close and longstanding friendship through our people-to-people ties. Canada is home to hundreds of thousands of Lebanese Canadians, who contribute to our communities across the country, every day. We will continue to monitor this tragic situation, and work closely with the international community and humanitarian partners to identify how we can continue to support the people of Lebanon and respond to their urgent needs.
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B.C. is no longer a model for COVID-19 prevention — and getting back to that stage is not guaranteed |
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The months when British Columbia could pat itself on the back for dealing with COVID-19 better than nearly any other place in Canada or the entirety of the United States has come to an end.
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Coronavirus breaks out again in
New Zealand after 102 days
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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday that authorities have found four cases of the coronavirus in one Auckland household from an unknown source, the first reported cases of local transmission in the country in 102 days.
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New York’s true coronavirus death toll
remains a mystery as officials hold data
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Riverdale Nursing Home in the Bronx appears, on paper, to have escaped the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, with an official state count of just four deaths in its 146-bed facility.
The truth, according to the home, is far worse: 21 dead, most transported to hospitals before they succumbed.
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In other COVID-related news: |
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No one's talking about winter yet. When it comes to COVID-19, here's why we should
It's still summer in Canada, with temperatures well above zero in most of the country. So it's no surprise people aren't talking about winter. But with temperatures set to drop in the months ahead, pushing more people indoors amid the coronavirus pandemic, experts say we need to start bracing for it now.
Coffee shops, food courts and lunch spots expected to lose billions as more of us work from home
Almost a quarter of 11,000 Canadians surveyed said they plan to work from home more often a year from now.
COVID-19 hospitalizations rise to highest point since June
Ottawa hospitals were treating 15 patients for COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon, a number of hospitalizations not seen since mid-June.
Burlington hospital's 93-bed pandemic unit has yet to see first COVID-19 patient
Joseph Brant Hospital spent more than $2 million erecting a facility in anticipation of a COVID-19 surge that never came. Now it's gearing up for a potential second wave.
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Registration now open for Beyond Boundaries program |
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With the recent success of the first cohort, Haltech Innovation Centre is thrilled to be launching both the second and third cohort this coming Fall and in early 2021. Through the program, Haltech looks to connect participants to opportunities and help increase the economic impact of women-owned businesses in Halton as well as globally. Beyond Boundaries will help participants adopt new technologies, grow their network and further their learnings in sales and financial literacy.
Application Deadline: August 31st, 2020
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Hope in High Heels goes virtual |
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Halton Women's Place's signature event has been reimagined so you can participate from home.
Registration is now open for this week-long event.
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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 |
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.
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Call the COVID-19 hotline |
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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