August 10 Office of the Mayor and Council Update |
|
New downtown streetscape project sparking
anticipation and optimism for merchants
|
|
Today, Councillor Dave Gittings and I were happy to be joined on our regular downtown check-in by Oakville MP, Minister Anita Anand.
As we stopped in to discuss the downtown streetscape construction we heard how excited they are to see the final upgrades. There is much optimism as the wider sidewalks make way for pedestrians to safely access local businesses and the fresh pavement from Allen to Reynolds streets is laid. Trees have also been planted along this stretch.
|
|
It was nice to hear the sense of anticipation and optimism from local merchants as they see the progress being made. |
|
Minister Anand, Councillor Gittings and I in Downtown Oakville |
|
Once complete, our upgraded downtown will be a destination and our local businesses are eagerly awaiting that.
In the meantime, many stores and services are open for business and can safely serve you. As we move into recovery I hope you’ll visit and shop locally wherever possible.
For a look at the updated COVID-19 pandemic timeline, please scroll to the end of this email.
|
|
Items in this update:
- COVID case counts
- Global cases expected to hit 20 million this week
- Huge gap in vaccine funds to fight coronavirus, WHO says
- Class sizes vital to curbing spread in schools, Sick Kids experts say
- 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
- Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre update
- Notice of Statutory Public Meeting
- Halton resident tests positive for West Nile virus, first case in region this year
- Provincial Government announcements
- Windsor-Essex to enter Stage 3
- Ontario expanding CCTV coverage
- Ontario Mayors' caucus re-brands
- Government of Canada announcements
- Government of Canada temporarily sets minimum unemployment rate for EI
- Hydro One extends ban on electricity disconnections
- Alberta reports 134 new cases, three deaths
- Three Vancouver police officers COVID-positive after responding to large party
- Europeans astonished as U.S. hits 5 million cases
- Report looks at COVID cases in U.S. children
- In related news
- Temperature checks and ‘deep cleaning’ aren’t good at stopping coronavirus. So why do we bother?
- Better ventilation, fewer cellphones called for in federal back-to-school guidelines
- 'Cautious consumer' to remain until COVID-19 vaccine, Indigo CEO says
- Why the idea of 'social bubbles' might need to be re-evaluated
- Thousands rally in downtown Montreal to protest Quebec mask rules
- COVID-19 lays waste to entry-level job market and young people will pay the price for years
|
|
|
|
Did you receive this email from someone? Please consider signing up so you never miss an update.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Today’s update includes data from Saturday, Sunday and today.
Confirmed cases in Halton increased by +8 from 835 to 843 with +2 new confirmed cases in Oakville, from 275 to 277.
There are currently 0 COVID-19 patients being cared for at OTMH and 9 active cases in Oakville.
There was +1 reported recovery in Oakville, from 292 to 293 and +3 recoveries in Halton Region, from 877 to 880.
|
|
Ontario is reporting 115 new cases in the province today, bringing the total to 40,161. Of those, 36,381 are considered resolved with 2,786 deaths. There are currently 40 COVID patients being cared for in Ontario hospitals, 25 of whom are in ICU with 14 on ventilators.
|
|
COVID-19 deaths per million |
|
Global COVID-19 cases expected
to hit 20 million this week
|
The head of the World Health Organization predicted that the number of people infected by the coronavirus will hit 20 million this week, including about 750,000 deaths.
In a briefing on Monday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged that “behind these statistics there is a great deal of pain and suffering” but said there were still “green shoots of hope” no matter what stage in an outbreak a country or region might be. He offered no new strategies to combat the virus but said again that “leaders must step up to take action and citizens need to embrace new measures,” pointing to New Zealand as an example for the world. The country recently marked 100 days with no local spread of the virus.
Tedros said that recently adopted measures in countries including Britain and France, which have imposed targeted lockdowns and mask-wearing strategies in the last week, were a good example of specific strategies needed to curb a new upsurge in cases.
|
|
Huge gap in vaccine funds to fight coronavirus, WHO says |
|
There is a huge gap between the funds needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic and funds committed worldwide, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday.
|
|
Class sizes vital to curbing spread of COVID-19
in schools, Sick Kids experts say
|
|
Sick Kids president and CEO says he will not back a plan to reopen schools that does not ensure proper physical distancing between students.
|
|
Parents say some children experiencing
COVID-19 'long-haul' symptoms too
|
|
Recurring bouts of new and sometimes debilitating symptoms related to COVID-19 isn’t a phenomenon experienced only by adult "long-haulers," according to several parents who say their children have been going through something similar for weeks and even months.
|
|
More than 500 COVID-19 infections in Canada linked to exposures at public places, new data suggests |
|
New data suggests that more than 500 COVID-19 infections in Canada have been linked to public venues including stores, bars, restaurants, daycares and schools since the beginning of July as more businesses continue to reopen and restrictions are eased.
|
|
Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre update |
The Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre is set to open in September. While opening plans are still being finalized, programming plans are underway.
While the original 2019 plan for the fall opening included a full menu of program opportunities, staff have amended the service plan to reflect our current COVID-19 circumstances. The revised plan will include a soft launch to introduce the facility amenities and programs. The current version ensures compliance with Ontario’s Stage 3 Operation Guidelines. Please note that our COVID-19 context and recovery stage could change by the time of facility opening, and the service plan will be adjusted to reflect those evolving circumstances.
The new facility will open with pre-booked drop-in activities in the pool, fitness area, gymnasium and multipurpose room. Pre-registered multi session programs will be introduced later in the fall.
During the initial phase of drop-in single session programs, staff will engage with the community through a variety of in-person and outreach initiatives to gauge community interest and demand for specific programs.
|
|
Statutory Public Meeting notice
|
|
The region's medical officer of health says the symptoms resulting from West Nile - including fever, headache, muscle ache and a rash - are similar to those of COVID-19.
|
|
Provincial Government announcements |
|
On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer Health and the local medical officer of health, Windsor-Essexwill be allowed to move into Stage 3 on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. The decision was based on positive local trends of key public health indicators, including lower transmission of COVID-19, ongoing hospital capacity, public health capacity to conduct rapid case and contact management, and a significant increase in testing.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health and public health experts will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation across the province to advise when public health restrictions can be further loosened or if they need to be tightened.
It remains critically important for everyone to continue following public health advice as more businesses and services reopen in Stage 3. This includes practising physical distancing with those outside your household or social circle, wearing a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so, staying home when ill, washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, and downloading the COVID Alert App.
|
|
The Ontario government is looking to partner with police services across the province to expand the coverage of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, a key tool in the fight against guns and gangs and other criminal activity.
The investment of $6 million over three years will be made available through the Ontario CCTV Grant, a new program designed to further support police services in their efforts to enhance public safety and hold offenders accountable as part of Ontario's Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy.
Starting today, all municipal and First Nations police services, as well as the Ontario Provincial Police, will be able to apply for funding for the first year of the CCTV Grant cycle (2020-21).
The grant builds on the province's approximate $106 million investment to combat gun and gang violence, with the support of the federal government, through Ontario's Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy. The program also complements the $14 million the province invested last December through the provincial priorities stream of the new Community Safety and Policing Grant, which addresses province-wide issues that include gun and gang violence, sexual violence and harassment, and human trafficking.
|
|
Ontario Mayors' caucus re-brands |
|
As of today, LUMCO is officially rebranded as Ontario Big City Mayors. As part of this important caucus, I support the decision lead by Chair and Mayor of Guelph, Cam Guthrie as the name better reflects who we are, and what we bring to the table as the voice of Ontario’s big cities.
|
|
Government of Canada announcements |
|
Government of Canada temporarily sets a minimum unemployment rate for the Employment Insurance program |
|
Since the beginning of the pandemic the Government of Canada has taken action to provide Canadians with the health and financial support needed to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Since it was launched, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has been an important income support for over 8.5 million Canadians and their families, who have had to stop working due to the pandemic. As the country continues to gradually and safely restart the economy, over 1.6 million Canadians have been able to return to work. However, we know that not all sectors are re-opening at the same pace. That’s why the Government is preparing to transition as many Canadians as possible back to the Employment Insurance (EI) system at the end of month.
Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, announced that effective August 9, 2020 a minimum unemployment rate of 13.1 per cent will be applied temporarily for all EI economic regions across Canada.
In taking this action, the Government is recognizing that the pandemic continues to make labour market conditions uncertain and unpredictable across the country. When individuals begin transitioning off of the CERB back to EI regular benefits at the end of this month, those living in EI regions with an unemployment rate lower than 13.1% will have their EI benefits calculated on the basis of the 13.1% rate, while individuals living in regions with a higher unemployment rate will have their benefits calculated using the actual rate for that region.
This temporary measure will establish minimum entry requirements for EI eligibility across the country for Canadians to access the income support they need now or might need later as we continue to deal with the economic impacts of COVID-19.
This is the first in a series of steps, to be announced in the coming weeks, that will help eligible Canadians transition from emergency income measures back into the EI system and into the labour force as we work together to best position our country for a strong economic recovery.
|
|
Hydro One extends ban on
electricity disconnections until further notice
|
|
Ontario's primary electricity provider says it's extending a ban on disconnecting homes from the power grid until further notice.
|
|
Alberta reports 134 new cases
of COVID-19 along with three more deaths
|
|
Alberta Health reported three additional COVID-19 deaths and 134 new cases, the largest single-day total in more than a week.
|
|
Three Vancouver police officers
COVID-positive after responding to large party
|
|
Several Vancouver police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 after being called to an "out of control" party, according to their union.
|
|
Europeans astonished as U.S. hits 5 million cases |
|
With confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. hitting 5 million Sunday, by far the highest of any country, the failure of the most powerful nation in the world to contain the scourge has been met with astonishment and alarm in Europe.
|
|
Report looks at COVID cases in U.S. children |
|
In other COVID-related news: |
|
Temperature checks and ‘deep cleaning’ aren’t good at stopping coronavirus. So why do we bother?
People and institutions feel the need to do something visible and take cues from what's around them, experts say.
Better ventilation, fewer cellphones called for in federal back-to-school guidelines
Canada's federal public health agency released guidelines today to advise school administrators as they plan for the reopening of schools in September with the goal of mitigating the spread of coronavirus among students and staff.
'Cautious consumer' to remain until COVID-19 vaccine, Indigo CEO says
Canadian customers likely won't start frequenting stores for items not on their shopping list until there's a vaccine for COVID-19, Indigo Books & Music Inc. founder and chief executive said Friday.
Why the idea of 'social bubbles' might need to be re-evaluated
As Ontario moves forward with its reopening plans and more people get together with friends and family, some experts say the province needs to re-evaluate how these supposedly self-contained groups of 10 work in reality.
Thousands rally in downtown Montreal to protest Quebec mask rules
Thousands of demonstrators marched through downtown Montreal Saturday to protest against the Quebec government's mandatory mask rules. The protesters — the vast majority of whom did not wear masks — carried signs indicating a variety of motivations and ideologies.
COVID-19 lays waste to entry-level job market and young people will pay the price for years
COVID-19 has thwarted hopes of landing first jobs as around the world, young people armed with new degrees, diplomas and professional qualifications are struggling to enter the workforce as the pandemic pushes the global economy into recession.
|
|
Registration now open for Beyond Boundaries program |
|
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
|
|
Hope in High Heels goes virtual |
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Sign the CN intermodal e-Petition now |
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
Oakville Meals on Wheels continues to operate
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakville Meals on Wheels continues to operate under increased safety measures.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
