Office of the Mayor and Council Update
Wednesday June 10 COVID-19 emergency
As we’ve watched anti-racism protests grow over the last couple of weeks, we’ve also heard calls to de-fund police services.

I’d like to take this opportunity to share information about some crucial differences between our Halton Regional Police Services and others.

Municipal spending in Halton totals $2.03 billion and police spending is $170.6 million. Policing represents about 8.4 percent of total municipal spending. We spend more than $330 million on firefighters, paramedics, libraries, and public housing combined, which is 16.3 percent of our spending, or almost twice what we spend on policing.

Halton's Police Service is founded upon and operates by the Peelian Principles of Community Policing . Our police service is the leader in Canada in its devotion to the Peelian Principles. The Peelian Principles focus on community development and prevention rather than reaction to social problems.

In aid of community building, for more than seven years we have held police spending increases to only what is needed for the costs of growth and inflation while we on Halton Regional Council have been adding resources to community well-being by creating and growing every year the Halton Community Investment Fund. Last year, we increased its funding for this year by 10 percent. Now, HCIF spending is guided by our ground-breaking Halton Region Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. 

Three years ago we spent more than a year on extensive public consultation to create our Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. Halton is the only large municipality in Canada with a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. Others now are using our Plan as a model for their own efforts to create one. 

Throughout this time, Halton Region has been renowned as the safest of Canada's large municipalities, with the highest crime solution rate and the lowest policing cost per capita.
We spend $284 per capita for policing, the lowest of the Big 12 police services in Ontario. Looking at the US, and using Canadian dollars, New York City spends almost C$1,000 and Baltimore, which is the size of Halton, spends more than $1,100 per person, compared to our $284.

The HRPS budget is created each year with extensive public participation, and I welcome your participation when we begin that work later this year. Every year, we work hard to keep within growth and inflation as we meet the need to provide protection against domestic abuse, internet child exploitation, human trafficking, guns and gangs, drug dealing, and keep responsive to the demands of residents who also want much higher levels of policing against speeding and break-ins.

We also afford 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 an example, as part of a recent, on-going gang dispute, in the middle of Cornwall Road, an individual from Montreal here to commit a targeted murder shot and killed an individual who was also from out of town and ran off. One of our new young officers caught sight of the man running away and ran after and cornered and apprehended the suspect without having to shoot her firearm.

Years and millions of dollars have been spent on these issues in an ongoing process that is achieving real results from our steadfast commitment against racism and for social development.

Sincerely,
Mayor Rob Burton
Halton Police Board Chair  
Items in this update:

  • COVID case counts
  • Cases rising among young people in hot spots
  • Six reminders the pandemic is far from over
  • Family gathering leads to at least 15 cases in B.C.
  • Main coronavirus test producing ‘false negatives’ 20 per cent of the time
  • Toronto Councillor tests positive, Premier and Minister being tested
  • Oakville Matters discussed
  • Register for CCAH virtual Town Hall
  • Provincial Government announcements
  • Ontario unveils plan to reopen postsecondary education
  • Beaches and campsites to open at Ontario Parks
  • Can I go to my cottage this week?
  • Ontario child care centres can reopen Friday
  • Hamilton daycares won't open for at least another week seeking clarification
  • Federal Government announcements
  • Canada's Economic Response Plan highlighted at OECD roundtable
  • Government partnership with private sector campaign
  • Government to support the safe reintegration of offenders under community supervision during COVID-19
  • Feds fail to get support for latest COVID-19 bill
  • Canadians have made 190,000 CERB repayments
  • India reports almost 1,000 new cases in 24-hours
  • In other COVID-related news
  • Ont. nursing homes have had 22 years to do safety upgrades. COVID-19 reveals deadly costof delay
  • COVID-19: Majority of region's long-term care deaths occurred in for-profit homes
  • Ethical dilemma: Who should get a COVID-19 vaccine first?
  • Virus pummels global economy, jobs - even without second wave of new coronavirus
  • Starbucks plans to close up to 200 Canadian locations over two years
  • Toronto restaurant owners fear they won’t make money at reduced capacity, hope for ‘flexibility’ with guideline enforcement
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COVID case counts
Total confirmed cases in Halton increased by 7 from 677 to 684 with 1 new confirmed case in Oakville, from 225 to 226.
 
There were 3 reported recoveries in Oakville, from 219 to 222 and 5 recoveries in Halton Region from 635 to 640 .

Halton Public Health is also offering a neighbourhood map as pictured below and available at halton.ca/COVID-19
Ontario’s regional health units are reporting 32,939 confirmed or positive COVID-19 cases, including 2,520 deaths.
With 321 new cases reported since the same time Tuesday morning, Ontario continues to see a falling rate of new infections.

As of the end of the day on Tuesday, June 9, there were 96,653 confirmed cases including 7,897 deaths and 55,572 or 58% have now recovered. 
Visit https://art-bd.shinyapps.io/covid19canada/ for the U of T COVID-19 data aggregation map
COVID-19 deaths per million
COVID-19 cases are rising among young people in hot spots including Toronto, Peel and Hamilton
While some experts suspect it could be tied to testing patterns, others are pointing to other factors like workplace outbreaks, housing and lockdown fatigue.

Six reminders the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over
With “quarantine fatigue” settling in and lockdown restrictions loosening in parts of the country, a casual observer might think the COVID-19 pandemic is ending.

But, as many medical experts will tell you, it’s far from over. 

Henry said at least 15 recent cases were linked to a family gathering of around 30 people that took place both indoors and outdoors.

The main type of test for the novel coronavirus around the world has a “false-negative” rate of at least 20 per cent, researchers from Johns Hopkins University found.

Toronto City Councillor tests positive, Doug Ford, Christine Elliott being tested
Michael Ford is the first Toronto city councillor to test positive for COVID-19.

The 26-year-old Ward 1 Etobicoke North representative, a nephew of Premier Doug Ford, confirmed his diagnosis in a statement Tuesday.

“This morning I was made aware that I have tested positive for COVID-19,” he wrote. “I have been self-isolating and will continue to do so over the next 14 days as I work from home to participate virtually in city business and committee meetings, and to continue serving the residents of Etobicoke North.

“I am feeling well and will continue to remain in constant contact with Toronto Public Health.”

Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott are being tested for COVID-19 after Education Minister Stephen Lecce came into contact with someone with the virus. Lecce has confirmed he received negative test results.
Oakville and Halton
Oakville Matters discussed
On this week’s episode Councillors Tom Adams and Janet Haslett-Theall join me in discussions about coronavirus reproduction rates in Halton and our neighbouring regions, to clarify some of the province’s reopening decisions and other town issues important to our residents.
Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton
virtual Town Hall to address issues impacting
Black members within our communities
Next Wednesday, June 17 from 7 to 8 p.m., join the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) for a conversation with community members and leaders to learn about steps being taken to ensure that a focus on human rights, equity, diversity and inclusion remains a cornerstone of emerging policies, programs and practices.

This Zoom Virtual Town Hall will be followed by a preview of Legacy Voices: Caribbean and Black Seniors Share & Document Stories and Life Experiences, a film that will be shared on Monday, August 3, Emancipation Day.

Register for the complementary virtual Town Hall here
Ontario
Provincial Government announcements
The Ontario government has developed a plan for the gradual and safe resumption of in-person instruction at postsecondary institutions across the province for the summer term. The plan was developed in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Starting in July 2020, limited in-person education and training may restart for students who were not able to graduate due to COVID-19 closures. This first phase will allow institutions to reopen to provide in-person instruction to students in essential, frontline, and high labour market demand areas, such as nursing, personal support workers, engineering, and other critical professions. Thousands of students across the province could benefit from this summer's reopening.

In September, all students will have the opportunity to attend postsecondary education through virtual learning, in-class instruction, or hybrid formats.

The limited summer reopening will help individual institutions prepare for the fall term by ensuring proper health and safety protocols are in place. The province is developing a framework to be released to the sector in the coming days, which will provide guidance on the summer reopening and on health and safety measures.

Publicly assisted colleges and universities, Indigenous Institutes, private career colleges and other postsecondary education institutions may participate in this voluntary reopening. Institutions that choose to participate will be responsible for establishing their own plans for this limited reopening in accordance with public health advice and any ministry guidance.

In order to maintain Ontario's position as a global leader in higher education and research, the government will also begin working on a digital and academic modernization framework this summer. Through this exercise, it will look at unlocking the potential of virtual learning, adapting postsecondary education and training to meet the needs of a rapidly changing job market and economy, increasing the accountability of postsecondary education, developing the necessary physical and digital infrastructure, and fully realizing the value of research, innovation, and intellectual property licensing in the domestic and global marketplace
As part of the Ontario government's Stage 2 reopening plan, more facilities and services will be available at provincial parks in certain regions beginning on June 12, 2020. Gradually over the next several weeks, Ontario Parks will start opening campgrounds, providing more washrooms and drinking water, along with roofed accommodations, park store and rental operations, visitor centres, and sports fields. It's important to check what facilities and services are available before visiting a provincial park.

The following is a list of recreational activities and facilities that will be opening soon at provincial parks in regions entering Stage 2 :
  • On June 12, beaches at Ontario Parks will begin opening to the public as maintenance and water testing are completed.
  • On June 15, campers enrolled in this year's Ontario Parks' Seasonal Campsite Program will now have access to their campsites at the majority of participating provincial parks. Those who were preselected in 2019 for the program will be contacted by Ontario Parks directly regarding the status of their reservation.
  • Beginning the week of June 22, all other campgrounds in regions entering Stage 2 will gradually open at provincial parks, along with washrooms, water taps and trailer sanitation stations.
  • Roofed accommodations (e.g., yurts, cabins and lodges, where available), park store and rental operations, visitor centers, and sports fields will be phased in over the next several weeks. 

Facilities such as showers, laundry, group camping, picnic shelter rentals and swimming pools will remain closed for the rest of the 2020 season.  
Most of Ontario will see more businesses reopen on Friday. This week, the Star is answering a series of questions about what the province is calling Stage 2 reopening.

Click the image to read the full story
Ontario child care centres can reopen as early as Friday with some restrictions
The Ontario government has given daycare centres the go-ahead to reopen as early as this Friday, but advocates say that without additional funding the province is “asking the impossible.”

Hamilton daycares won't open for at least another week as city seeks clarity from province
The Ford government has announced that child-care centres can open as early as Friday, but the city of Hamilton is warning parents they may have to wait a week longer before seeing them open.

Canada
Federal Government announcements
Minister Fortier highlights Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan at OECD roundtable
Today, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance took part in a virtual Ministerial Council Roundtable hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), focused on “The Path to Recovery: Alternative Scenarios and Macroeconomic Policies”. During this event, the Minister underlined the government’s ongoing support for businesses and workers through its  COVID-19 Economic Response Plan  and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to collaborating with international partners.

The Minister took the opportunity to highlight key measures to support businesses and provide income support to those most vulnerable and most affected by the crisis. These include:
  • the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), which provides interest-free, partially forgivable loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses;
  • the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF), which provides liquidity financing for large for-profit enterprises and certain not-for-profit enterprises with annual revenues generally on the order of $300 million or higher.
  • the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which provides basic income to ensure that millions of Canadians can pay for essentials like mortgages, rent and groceries; and
  • the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), to help employers significantly impacted by COVID-19 keep workers on the payroll and rehire workers.
  • the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA), which offers forgivable loans to qualifying commercial property owners to reduce the rent owed by eligible small businesses by 75%.

These measures and others are part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which is providing billions in support to Canadians and businesses facing hardship because of the pandemic. The government will continue to monitor and respond to the wide-ranging impacts of COVID-19, and take additional actions as needed to protect the health and safety of Canadians and stabilize the economy.
Minister Ng announces government partnership with private sector campaign to help businesses reopen safely amid COVID-19
Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced that the Government of Canada has partnered with the  People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise program , an initiative launched by Canadian private sector organizations to help businesses across the country reopen safely.
The “POST Promise” is a voluntary commitment that business owners and managers can make by following five key public health actions that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
  1. Maintaining physical distance
  2. Washing and sanitizing hands
  3. Cleaning and disinfecting regularly
  4. Staying home if unwell and self-monitoring for symptoms
  5. Practising respiratory etiquette (including wearing a mask when physical distancing is difficult)

By displaying the “POST Promise” logo, participating businesses can reassure customers that they are doing their part to help protect Canadians’ health and safety.

As we take steps toward restarting the economy, the Government will continue to work with POST Promise to ensure its platform provides businesses with accurate and up-to-date health and safety guidelines.
Government to support the safe reintegration of offenders under community supervision during COVID-19
Today, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, announced the Government of Canada’s intention to provide up to $500,000 to five National Voluntary Organizations (NVOs) to develop pilot projects that will help reintegrate offenders under supervision at community-based residential facilities (halfway houses).

These funds will support the Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec, Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, John Howard Society of Canada, National Associations Active in Criminal Justice, and St. Leonard’s Society of Canada. These organizations will draw on the expertise of their networks to identify and support innovative practices that have been successful at reducing the spread of COVID-19, while maintaining essential services for their clients. The lessons learned from these pilot projects will help halfway houses continue to deliver effective programs and services to offenders who are eligible for supervised release in the community and keep halfway house residents and surrounding communities safe during emergencies such as COVID-19.

These five NVOs were selected for their national profile and well-established capacity for bringing together regional perspectives and experiences from a broad range of service needs for people returning to the community following a period of incarceration.

In addition, to further help with increased costs to respond to COVID-19, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) has been taking a more flexible financial approach that allows halfway houses to submit COVID-19-related expenses for review and reimbursement so that they can ensure a healthy environment for residents. This includes reimbursement for items such as personal protective equipment, additional cleaning supplies, adaptations to existing accommodations, and a 90-day bed hold as many have had to limit the number of residents they are able to accommodate.

Today’s announcement builds on the work CSC and the Parole Board of Canada have been doing to streamline case preparation for offenders. Since the onset of the pandemic, CSC has been proactively reviewing the individual situations of non-violent and lower-risk inmates, including those with underlying health conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Wednesday's emergency sitting of the House of Commons came to an abrupt halt within minutes after the government couldn't secure the opposition support it needed to move forward on debate on its latest emergency piece of COVID-19 legislation.

Canadians have made 190,000 repayments for CERB claims they weren't eligible for
Canadians have made almost 190,000 repayments for Canada emergency response benefits they weren't eligible for, according to the Canada Revenue Agency.

International news
India reports almost 1,000 new cases in 24-hours
The number of coronavirus cases in India continued to rapidly increase Wednesday, with officials reporting nearly 10,000 new cases over the past 24 hours.

The spike has come as the government moves forward with reopening restaurants, shopping malls and religious places in most of its states after a more than two-month-old lockdown.

The government has already partially restored train services and domestic flights and allowed shops and manufacturing to reopen. Subways, hotels and schools and colleges, however, remain shuttered nationwide.

The Health Ministry on Wednesday reported an 24-hour increase of 9,985 cases and 274 deaths. India has recorded 276,583 positive cases, the fifth highest in the world, and 7,745 deaths.

The actual numbers, like elsewhere in the world, are thought to be fair higher due to a number of reasons such as limited testing.
Germany prolongs travel warning
Germany is prolonging its travel warning for more than 160 countries outside Europe until the end of August.

The government agreed Wednesday to extend the guidance introduced on March 17 due to the coronavirus pandemic to almost all non-EU countries, with the exception of some that have successfully contained the outbreak.
In other COVID-related news:
Ont. nursing homes have had 22 years to do safety upgrades. COVID-19 reveals deadly cost of delay
A failure to make safety upgrades to their buildings in the past two decades appears to have left many long-term care homes particularly vulnerable to the deadly spread of COVID-19, a Marketplace investigation reveals. Most homes still operating at the 1972 standard are owned by for-profit companies.

The risk of dying from COVID-19 has been significantly higher for residents of for-profit long-term care homes in eastern Ontario than for those in non-profit and municipally run facilities, a CBC analysis of provincial data has found.

Ethical dilemma: Who should get a COVID-19 vaccine first?
Developing a COVID-19 vaccine is a huge undertaking. Scientists around the world are working to find a way to immunize humans against a virus that nobody knew anything about even six months ago, and get the vaccine into production in a far shorter timeframe than the research process normally allows.
But once they succeed, public health leaders will be left with major dilemmas of their own – ones less about the practical aspects of stopping the novel coronavirus than the ethical problems that accompany a vaccine

Virus pummels global economy, jobs - even without second wave of new coronavirus
The virus crisis has triggered the worst global recession in nearly a century -- and the pain is not over yet even if there is no second wave of infections, an international economic report warned Wednesday.
 
Starbucks plans to close up to 200 Canadian locations over two years
Starbucks is pulling back on its presence in Canada with plans to close up to 200 coffee shops.
Toronto restaurant owners fear they won’t make money at reduced capacity, hope for ‘flexibility’ with guideline enforcement
“I need to be at 70 per cent capacity to make money, but I can’t keep staff or customers safe properly if we’re above 50 per cent.”
Click the image to read the story
Upcoming events:
Sunset Cinema @ Home: June 19

Stay home, stay healthy, and support Oakville Hospital healthcare heroes! Join  the Oakville Hospital Foundation  for Sunset Cinema @ Home, the perfect summer movie night on Friday, June 19 at 7pm.

Walk to end ALS
The virtual edition of the Walk to End ALS event will take place June 21. ALS partner, Brain Canada, is offering a dollar for dollar match of up to $1 million to invest in promising ALS research.

What's on at the OPL
Oakville Public Library is now offering contactless holds pickups and the ability to return borrowed library materials at select locations. Details at opl.on.ca

Branches: Glen Abbey – Iroquois Ridge - Woodside

Library Take-out and materials return will be available from 11:30-7 on Tuesday and Thursday and 9:30-5 on Saturday.

The materials return process follows the same after-hours process as pre-COVID19.
Library Take-Out holds pick-up process:

Customers can place holds as usual from www.opl.ca , or
  • a.by calling one of the open branches during open hours
                                              i.    GA - (905) 815-2039)
                                            ii.    IR - (905) 338-4247
                                           iii.    WS - (905) 815-2036

Once their hold is available, customers will be contacted either by email or phone to select a pick-up slot. Each time slot is 30 minutes and has limited spots available.

On their selected date/time, customers can arrive at their indicated branch and pick-up their hold(s) from the vestibule.

Customers enjoy their new materials
 
Tuesdays & Thursdays • 10 am
Family Storytime on Instagram Live
Get moving with stories, songs and fun during Family Storytime! Hosted virtually on Instagram Live. Follow @oakvillelibrary on Instagram .

Tuesdays & Thursdays • 2 pm
Kids Library Club
Join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays as we explore fun activities in the fields of science, technology, art and more! Tuesday's session will be Book Club and Thursday is Hour of Code . Limited spaces.

Thursday, June 11 11 am
Let's Talk About Books, Movies & More: International Fiction
This week, we'll discuss our favourite books, movies and more that relate to International Fiction. "Let's Talk About" are weekly, virtual sessions that explore different themes in arts, culture and literature.
Join us on Zoom (Meeting ID: 943 7233 0505) or call 1-647-558-0588.

Thursday, June 11 6:30 pm
How to make a Webcomic!
Join Jey Pawlik, a Toronto-based non-binary artist behind Gender Slices and Dead City, for a virtual chat on everything you need to know about creating a webcomic and sharing them online.

Friday, June 12 • 10 am
Virtual Crafty Bees Meetup with The Hive
An informal, weekly craft meetup to share what you’re working on, and gather inspiration from fellow craft enthusiasts.
Join us on  Zoom  (Meeting ID: 936 5905 6875, Password: 756445) or call 1-647 374 4685. 

Fridays and Saturdays • 10 am
Family Storytime on YouTube 
Follow OPL on YouTube and enjoy pre-recorded Family Storytime on Fridays and Saturdays at 10 am. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube page so you don't miss out!

Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Staff Book Recommendations on YouTube
Listen to over 100 short book reviews from OPL staff, uploaded weekly on YouTube .

Daily
Virtual Tech Help
Book a virtual one-on-one session for basic technology assistance. Limited sessions.
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.

Fareshare Food Bank Oakville: 905-847-3988 or email  oakvillefoodbank@gmail.com

Kerr Street Mission: 905-845-7485 or donate online at kerrstreet.com

The Salvation Army Oakville: Donate online https://salvationarmy.ca/
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.

Downtown Oakville Instagram live series
On Wednesday, May 6 Downtown Oakville will be launching a weekly Instagram Live Series hosted by different Downtown businesses. The live events will allow you to purchase products, participate in fitness classes, attend workshops, and more!

Follow @oakvilledowntown on Instagram to learn more and tune in. 

Schedule 
June 17 at 2 p.m. - Must Boutique 
June 24 at 7 p.m. - Dr. Adrienne, Naturopathic Doctor 
Testing in Oakville
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.
Coronavirus timeline