Stay-At-Home Order and Small Business Grants Now Available

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Dear Neighbour,

In response to a doubling in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, the real and looming threat of the collapse of the province's hospital system and alarming risks posed to long-term care homes as a result of high COVID-19 transmission rates, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, has declared a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA).

Effective yesterday, January 14th at 12:01 a.m., the Ontario Government issued a stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain at home with exceptions for permitted purposes or activities, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for work where the work cannot be done remotely.

Additionally, and based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, schools in Toronto and four other public health units (PHUs) will not return to in-person instruction until February 10, 2021. Child care centres for non-school aged children will remain open. In areas where in-person elementary learning is suspended, emergency child care will continue for eligible families in regions subject to school closures, as identified by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

This order and other new and existing public health restrictions are aimed at limiting people's mobility and reducing the number of daily contacts with those outside an immediate household. In addition to limiting outings for these purposes, all businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.

Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives.

The Ontario government has opened applications for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. The grant, first announced in December, provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations due to the Provincewide Shutdown. The tightened restrictions were put in place to help stop the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases in Ontario.

Small businesses required to close or significantly restrict services under the Provincewide Shutdown will be able to apply for a one-time grant and use this funding in whatever way makes the most sense for their individual business needs. For example, some businesses could need support paying employee wages, while others could need support with their rent.

Eligible small businesses include those that:

Were required to close or significantly restrict services due to the Provincewide Shutdown being imposed across the province effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26.
Have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level.
Have experienced a minimum of 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019. New businesses established since April 2019 will also be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria.

Businesses impacted by the Provincewide Shutdown are also eligible for additional supports, including the government's program to provide rebates to offset fixed costs such as property tax and energy bills. These rebates will continue to be available for businesses impacted by the Provincewide Shutdown and earlier restrictions.

More information about the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and other rebates is available on Ontario.ca/COVIDsupport.

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and in adherence to the Stay-At-Home Order, my constituency office remains closed for in-person visits. My constituency staff and I will be working remotely at this time. We remain ready to assist. You can continue to contact us at (416) 781-2395 or email robin.martin@pc.ola.org.

Stay safe, stay healthy,

Robin Martin, MPP
Eglinton-Lawrence

Think you have COVID-19 Symptoms or have been in close contact with some who does? Click here for a self-assessment.

COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Ontario

For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information from the Government of Ontario visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

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HIGHLIGHTS
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency to Address COVID-19 Crisis and Save Lives
Province Issues Stay-at-Home Order and introduces enhanced enforcement measures to reduce mobility and prevent the spread of COVID-19
The Ontario government has issued an emergency order to temporarily pause the enforcement of residential evictions and ensure people are not forced to leave their homes during the provincial declaration of emergency and while the stay-at-home-order is in force.
The Ontario government is preparing to immunize up to 8.5 million people before the end of Phase Two of the government's vaccine implementation plan, which aims to receive, store and administer COVID-19 vaccines to Ontarians as soon as supply is available.
The Ontario government is taking additional measures to protect workers in response to rising COVID-19 cases. Beginning this Saturday and Sunday, approximately 50 ministry inspectors, as well as local bylaw and police officers, will be visiting big-box stores in Toronto, Hamilton, Peel, York and Durham.
Ontario is providing $375 million through the Gas Tax program to help 109 municipalities across the province operate and expand public transit. The province will flow the funding as soon as possible in 2021.
Ontario Expanding Firefighter Training Across the Province
The Ontario government is providing $7.5 million to help educators better support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

HIGHLIGHTS
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The Federal Government continues providing sickness benefit for those who cannot work because they are isolating, have, or may have COVID-19. For more information on the program or on how to apply click here.

HIGHLIGHTS
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

The City of Toronto modifies services to adhere to and support new provincial regulations and stay-at-home order.
The City of Toronto launches 2021 tax-supported budgets
The City of Toronto launching initial COVID-19 immunization clinic to prepare for City’s role in vaccine distribution
The City of Toronto has created new Shelter Design Guidelines based on extensive consultation that lays out best practices in the design of new permanent shelters in Toronto.

Copyright © 2021 Robin Martin, All rights reserved.

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Authorized by the CFO for the Eglinton-Lawrence PC Association