August 12 Office of the Mayor and Council Update |
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Yesterday, after several months of waiting, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing delivered on his promise and told the Mayors of Ontario how much financial assistance we are going to get in the first stage of what I like to call the bailout of the property tax payers.
The COVID emergency knocked some $10 million in revenue out of Oakville’s budget and yesterday’s announcement of just less than $7 million, and a promise of more, couldn’t be better news for residents.
Municipalities can’t run a deficit, so it was brilliant of the province to come through and help our town like this. It’s remarkable to me how close they came to providing us with the amount we need and with the promise of more, as we prove our need, I know we can make up the difference.
As a retired businessman with very fiscal conservative views – I believe you shouldn’t spend money you don’t have and you shouldn’t waste money – I like the system that will allow top ups only as needed.
Not only have we been cutting back to help ensure we come to a smooth landing, Council and I have, for the last 14 years, been ensuring tax payers never pay more than inflation and I’m continuing to forecast that path for us.
Please scroll to the end of this email for the updated pandemic timeline and watch this space for new features coming soon!
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Items in this update:
- COVID case counts
- Infectious coronavirus retrieved from hospital air
- Weekly Oakville update on CHCH Morning Live
- Town of Oakville announcements
- Town increases fines for parking violations around lakefront parks
- Oakville Public Library reopens branches for Stage 3
- Oakville Horticultural Society shares the beauty
- Halton Police Board details Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
- Provincial Government announcements
- Ontario launches consultations to strengthen privacy protections of personal data
- Federal Government announcements
- Direct help for bright ideas to make safer, pandemic-resilient communities
- New initiative to support local innovative solutions to safe community reopening
- Government of Canada investment brings nutritious surplus food to vulnerable Canadians
- House adopts NDP-backed motion calling on feds to invest more in child care
- B.C. records 85 new coronavirus cases, its third-highest ever single-day total
- Why Alberta's COVID-19 numbers might be so high compared to elsewhere
- Puzzling New Zealand virus outbreak grows to 17 cases
- In related news
- Flu shot more important than ever during COVID-19 pandemic, expert says
- School ventilation could spread COVID-19. Why aren’t we talking about it?
- Chinese officials say chicken wings imported from Brazil tested positive for coronavirus
- B.C. students will be back in class by Sept. 10
- All Alberta teachers, school staff should be tested for COVID-19, top doctor says
- ‘A call out to Deadpool’: B.C. premier wants stars to help fight surge in younger coronavirus cases
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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 +5 from 847 to 852, with +1 new confirmed case in Oakville, total from 280 to 281.
There are currently 0 COVID-19 patients being cared for at OTMH and 13 active cases in Oakville.
There were 0 reported recoveries in Oakville, total remains at 294 and 0 recoveries in Halton Region, total remains at 880.
Oakville's community transmission rate is 40 per cent as pictured.
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Ontario reported 78 new cases of COVID-19 today,. That brings the total to 40,367 with 36,689 of those resolved and 2,787 deaths. Currently there are 43 patients being treated for COVID-19 in Ontario hospitals, with 20 of those in ICU and 10 on ventilators.
As of today, Canada had 120,844 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases. Provinces and territories listed 107,148 of those as recovered or resolved. A tally of deaths stands at 9,044.
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COVID-19 deaths per million |
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‘A smoking gun’: Infectious coronavirus
retrieved from hospital air
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Airborne virus plays a significant role in community transmission, many experts believe. A new study fills in the missing piece: Floating virus can infect cells.
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Town of Oakville announcements |
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Town increases fines for parking violations around lakefront parks |
In an effort to control the overcrowding at the town’s lakefront parks and address associated parking issues on nearby residential streets, the Town of Oakville has approved amendments to its Uniform Traffic Control By-law (By-law 1984-1) and its Parking Administrative Penalties By-law (By-law 2015-071) that provide the ability to temporarily increase parking fines on designated town roads.
Starting next week, staff will be posting signs on certain streets surrounding the town’s lakefront parks identifying them as increased fine zones. The enforcement period runs from August 21 until October 31, 2020, with fines set at $100. Park parking lots will be open, but once full visitors are encouraged to come back another time as parking on residential streets will result in increased fines – municipal enforcement staff will be providing regular patrols of these areas.
“While we have all done a great job at flattening the curve, we are still in a pandemic and must all continue to do our part and follow public health directions including practicing physical-distancing. Since we opened our parks earlier this summer we have faced a situation where they are often overcrowded resulting in individuals often coming too close to others,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “In addition, once park parking lots are full, the town is faced with rampant parking issues on streets surrounding our lakefront parks, prompting safety concerns for residents,” said Mayor Burton.
For example, between April 1 and August 11, 806 parking tickets were issued in the residential area around Bronte Beach and Bronte Heritage Parks alone.
In addition to overcrowding, issues at town parks have included littering; alcohol and drug use; instances of crime; bonfires and individuals entering parks after the parks are closed.
Parking fine increases come alongside numerous other efforts put forth by the town in recent weeks, including increased enforcement, enhanced signage, the deployment of on-site parks ambassadors and working with Halton Regional Police POPP (Police on Parks Patrol) and Oakville Fire.
“We want to continue to have our parks open to the public, for everyone to enjoy responsibly. As we continue under emergency orders, by putting these regulations in place, we can help encourage physical-distancing and limit the risk of spreading COVID-19,” added Burton.
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Oakville Public Library reopens branches for Stage 3 |
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Following guidelines and directives from the provincial and municipal governments, the Oakville Public Library (OPL) reopened select library branches for adjusted services, effective today. Customers are able to make in-person visits for adjusted services and browse collections, thanks to extended hours of operation.
“To mitigate the ongoing risk of COVID-19, and to provide a sense of well-being to our customers and staff, physical distancing practices will be in effect as will other health and safety protocols. We’re excited to welcome our community back into our branches and hope to bring a semblance of normalcy through these trying times,” says Councillor Jeff Knoll, Chair of OPL’s Board of Directors.
In Stage 3, five of the 7 OPL branches will now open for five days a week. Customers can once again browse collections, pick up holds, register for new library cards, access WiFi and computer services. Visitors will also notice the following service changes such as physical distance protocols, wearing of masks as per the Halton Region’s mask by-law, quarantine bins and sanitization stations throughout the branch, and time limits for visits and computer usage. Customers are encouraged to limit stays to 90 minutes, to allow as many people as possible to access the branch. Library Takeout, the contactless holds pickup service launched in June, is still available at all branches.
OPL continues to offer online services and robust virtual programming, such as storytimes, kids library clubs, lunch and learns, workshops, author readings and live book discussions. The library is evaluating options for the fall to possibly resume in-person programming such as book clubs, outdoor storytimes and access to the Creation Zones. More information on these services can be found at opl.ca.
About: Oakville Public Library (OPL) strives to fulfill our mission of cultivating discovery and creativity in every phase of life. Our vision is to inspire Oakville, and we are focused on exceptional customer service to meet the needs of the children, youth, adults and seniors utilizing our physical or online services. We continue to be agile in our mandate to meet the needs of Oakville residents. For more information, visit opl.ca, or follow OPL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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Oakville Horticultural Society shares the beauty |
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Members of the Oakville Horticultural Society have been delivering garden flowers to vulnerable Oakville residents who are feeling lonely and confused due to the restrictions on visits caused by the COVID-19 Public Health measures.
Starting in mid-April, daffodils, lily of the valley, alliums, daisies, dahlias, phlox, daisies, (and many others) have been harvested from members' gardens and delivered to Long Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes and Community Living Oakville residences.
These informal arrangements have brought joy and sunshine to the residents and staff in an otherwise difficult time.
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Halton Police Board details
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
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This month, the Halton Police Board is highlighting community safety and well-being on their Twitter account.
The original plan was introduced by Halton delegates in 2014. Halton has been regularly ranked as one of the safest communities in the country. It was created “as part of a shared commitment to be the safest and healthiest region in Canada.”
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Provincial Government announcements |
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Ontario launches consultations to strengthen privacy protections of personal data |
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Province seeking public input on how personal information is collected, used and safeguarded
Today, the Ontario government launched consultations to improve the province's privacy protection laws. People and businesses from a wide range of sectors, including technology, financial and service, and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, will have the opportunity to contribute to strengthening transparency and accountability concerning the collection, use and safeguarding of personal information online.
"Our government continually hears concerns regarding the province's privacy protections," said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. "This has only been further highlighted during the COVID-19 outbreak, which has resulted in Ontarians relying more on digital platforms to carry out day-to-day tasks. With the increased reliance on these platforms, there is a strong need to build public and consumer confidence and trust in the digital economy. I encourage all Ontarians to participate in these consultations as privacy is critically important to everyone."
Through an online survey, written submissions and web conferences, the government is collaborating with the people of Ontario to create a legislative framework for privacy in the province's private sector.
The province is seeking advice on ways to:
- Increase transparency for individuals, providing Ontarians with more detail about how their information is being used by businesses and organizations.
- Enhance consent provisions allowing individuals to revoke consent at any time, and adopting an "opt-in" model for secondary uses of their information.
- Introduce a right for individuals to request information related to them be deleted, subject to limitations (this is otherwise known as "right to erasure" or "the right to be forgotten").
- Introduce a right for individuals to obtain their data in a standard and portable digital format, giving them greater freedom to change service providers without losing their data (this is known as "data portability").
- Increase enforcement powers for the Information and Privacy Commissioner to ensure businesses comply with the law, including giving the commissioner the ability to impose penalties.
- Introduce requirements for data that has been de-identified and derived from personal information to provide clarity of applicability of privacy protections.
- Expand the scope and application of the law to include non-commercial organizations, including not-for-profits, charities, trade unions and political parties.
- Create a legislative framework to enable the establishment of data trusts for privacy protective data sharing.
"As Ontario transitions to the post-COVID realities, the global data-driven economy continues to march ahead presenting new challenges for policy makers," said Benjamin Bergen, executive director of the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI). "Our members welcome the government's effort to design a new and updated framework that allows it to govern the economic and non-economic effects of the data-driven world where the collection, use and monetizing of personal data is at the centre of new business models. Privacy protections and industry growth don't need to be at odds and we look forward to the discussions on how best to enhance fundamental personal privacy elements while positioning Ontario to be a leader in the 21st Century innovation economy."
Written submissions from impacted businesses and the general public will be accepted until October 1, 2020. Anyone can participate in the consultation by filling out the online survey.
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Federal Government announcements |
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Direct help for bright ideas to make safer, pandemic-resilient communities |
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Healthy communities are places where Canadians have equal opportunities to be active, engaged and connected. In this extraordinary pandemic, Canadians are discovering new ways to keep residents safe and healthy and to support economic recovery.
Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced that a new Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will help local governments and community partners as they adapt to local economic, health and social challenges.
The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will provide up to $31 million in federal funding to support community-led solutions that respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19 over the next two years.
The Initiative will fund smaller-scale local projects under three main themes: creating safe and vibrant public spaces, improving mobility options, and digital solutions. The goal is to fund projects that quickly help communities, including rural and remote communities, adapt to the new reality of COVID-19.
Potential projects could include: expanding outdoor seating on our main streets, remodeling a playground to allow for proper physical distancing, building multi-modal paths that would allow bikes, scooters, and personal mobility devices to share space with pedestrians and cars, or creating digital apps to allow residents to access municipal services remotely. The possibilities are as varied as the spirit, imagination and unique needs of Canada’s communities in this extraordinary time.
Leveraging the great work not-for-profit organizations are already doing across Canada to help communities adapt to COVID-19, funding under the Initiative will be provided to a non-governmental not-for-profit organization, or group of organizations, selected through an open call-for-applications process. The recipient(s) will then work directly with municipalities, local governments, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit community partners to identify and fund homegrown solutions that can be put into place quickly to improve the lives of Canadians.
Additional details on the application process will be available soon.
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Healthy communities are places where Canadians have equal opportunities to be active, engaged and connected. In this extraordinary pandemic, Canadians are discovering new ways to keep residents safe and healthy and to support economic recovery.
MP Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, today encouraged local governments and community leaders to consider what types smaller-scale local projects could quickly help Canadians adapt to new challenges resulting from the pandemic.
His comments followed the announcement on August 13, 2020 by the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, of the launch of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative to help local governments and community partners as they adapt to local economic, health and social challenges.
The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will provide up to $31 million in federal funding to support community-led solutions that respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19 over the next two years under three main themes: creating safe and vibrant public spaces, improving mobility options, and digital solutions. The goal is to fund projects that quickly help communities adapt to the new reality of COVID-19.
Potential projects could include: expanding outdoor seating on our main streets, remodeling a playground to allow for proper physical distancing, building multi-modal paths that would allow bikes, scooters, and personal mobility devices to share space with pedestrians and cars, or creating digital apps to allow residents to access municipal services remotely. The possibilities are as varied as the spirit, imagination and unique needs of Canada’s communities in this extraordinary time.
Leveraging the great work not-for-profit organizations are already doing across Canada to help communities adapt to COVID-19, funding under the Initiative will be provided to a non-governmental not-for-profit organization, or group of organizations, selected through an open call-for-applications process. The recipient(s) will then work directly with municipalities, local governments, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit community partners to identify and fund homegrown solutions that can be put into place quickly to improve the lives of Canadians.
Additional details on the application process will be available soon.
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Government of Canada investment brings nutritious surplus food to vulnerable Canadians |
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The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, was at Nutri Group Head office, in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, today to announce details of the first-ever federal government program that will provide millions of pounds of quality, nutritious, surplus food to Canada’s most vulnerable populations.
The innovative Surplus Food Rescue Program is a $50-million federal initiative designed to address urgent, high volume, highly perishable surplus products falling under fruit, vegetables, meat and fish and seafood. These surpluses were created because the COVID-19 pandemic largely shut down the restaurant and hospitality industry, leaving many producers without a key market for their food commodities.
The Program awarded contributions to eight organizations that leverage existing food redistribution and recovery networks and agencies, who will bring the food to every region in the country. Partners, which include leading not-for-profits Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest, and La Tablée des Chefs, will redistribute products such as potatoes, walleye, chicken, turkey, eggs, and more. In total, the program will redistribute approximately 12 million kilograms of surplus food to more food insecure families that would otherwise have been wasted.
For over 30 years, Nutri-Group and its partner producers have been providing consumers in Canada with high-quality sustainable eggs, while helping farmers build stronger businesses and rural communities. Through the Surplus Food Rescue Program, Nutri Group will be providing Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest more than 1 million dozen eggs at cost to ensure Canadians continue to receive fresh, nutritious food during the pandemic. The eggs will be redistributed to many food banks and local food organizations across Canada, notably across the network of moissons in Quebec.
The significant disruptions to Canada’s restaurant and hospitality industry caused by COVID-19 has left many producers with surplus food and no way to get it onto the plates of Canadians. The eight partnerships announced which involve over 100 different organizations will help farmers meet the needs of vulnerable Canadians and recover the cost of their efforts.
The funding provided under the Program is ensuring producers and food processors like Nutri Group are fairly compensated for their work at the cost of production, while growing relationships with community food providers and supporting efforts to reduce food waste.
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House adopts NDP-backed motion
calling on feds to invest more in child care
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The NDP found support from parliamentarians across the aisle on Wednesday to call on the government to allocate more funding to provinces and territories to help with child-care needs as society reopens.
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B.C. records 85 new coronavirus cases,
its third-highest ever single-day total
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Health officials reported 85 new cases of the virus, two of them epi-linked -- the highest since April 25.
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Why Alberta's COVID-19 numbers
might be so high compared to elsewhere
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Alberta has reported a higher number of cases of COVID-19 by population for much of the pandemic compared to the rest of Canada.
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Puzzling New Zealand virus outbreak
grows to 17 cases
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A puzzling new outbreak of the coronavirus in New Zealand's largest city grew to 17 cases on Thursday, with officials saying the number will likely increase further.
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In other COVID-related news: |
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Flu shot more important than ever during COVID-19 pandemic, expert says
The annual flu shot will be more important than ever during the coronavirus pandemic, according to one infectious disease expert, who says it would be a “double whammy” to be infected with both viruses.
School ventilation could spread COVID-19. Why aren’t we talking about it?
Students go back to school in less than a month. While many boards have been focusing on reduced class sizes, personal protective equipment and hand-washing, one source of COVID-19 threat has been overlooked: the air.
Chinese officials say chicken wings imported from Brazil tested positive for coronavirus
A sample of frozen chicken wings imported from Brazil has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, authorities said Thursday, the latest in a series of reports of contaminated imported food products.
B.C. students will be back in class by Sept. 10
B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming has announced a gradual restart of classes in September, with students expected back in the classroom by Sept. 10.
All Alberta teachers, school staff should be tested for COVID-19, top doctor says
All teachers and school staff across the province should be tested before schools reopen to students in about three weeks, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Wednesday.
‘A call out to Deadpool’: B.C. premier wants stars to help fight surge in younger coronavirus cases
B.C. Premier John Horgan wants Ryan Reynolds and Seth Rogen to use their influence to get younger British Columbians on board with COVID-19 precautions.
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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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