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Dear friends,
Canada and our world are going through very difficult times. I understand that many of you are worried and need support as we work through this evolving global challenge of COVID-19. The situation changes daily and so does our federal government's response. Please be assured that our government is doing everything possible to help and protect all Canadians.
The Prime Minister asked Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, to chair the Cabinet committee on COVID-19, which complements the work being done by the Incident Response Group. The committee and all members of the government are working to take decisive measures to assist Canadians at this difficult time. Some of these measures are outlined in detail below.
Most importantly, we are asking that all Canadians stay home if you can, practice social distancing, and continue to practice good hygiene. This will to prevent the spread of the virus, reduce the pressure on our health care system, and protect ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbours.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me and my office if we can be of any assistance.
Rob
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To do our part to help flatten the curve and prevent the spread of COVID-19, my constituency office is currently closed to the public until further notice. We continue to serve the people of Don Valley West via phone and email. If you need support with any federal matter, please call 416-467-7275 or email [email protected].
Before the COVID-19 emergency situation, I prepared my regular newsletter by mail inviting the community to Coffee and Conversation meetings, free income tax clinics, and my large-scale Youth Career and Job Fair in April. Following the advice of Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, I have cancelled these events. Please visit my website and monitor my social media accounts for updates on when these events might be rescheduled. I will also keep you updated via email.
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Whole-of-Government Response
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We are advising Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel, including cruise ship travel, outside Canada at this time. Equally, we are urging all Canadians abroad to come home as soon as possible.
Many countries have already put in place special measures to limit travel domestically and internationally. Furthermore, many flights have been cancelled. Travel plans may be significantly disrupted. If you are outside Canada or know someone who is abroad, please Register with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to stay connected with the Government of Canada. You can email [email protected] and call the GAC emergency hotline at 613-996-8885 if you require assistance. For those returning to Canada, public health leaders are advising all travellers from outside Canada to self-isolate for 14 days.
We have introduced a financial assistance program to help Canadian travellers with the costs of returning home or temporarily covering their basic needs while they wait to come back to Canada, through the Emergency Loan Program for Canadians Abroad.
Further measures have been put in place to protect Canadians against the COVID-19 pandemic. We have strengthened border and airport screening measures, including stronger and more visible messaging, health screening at kiosks, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection of high-traffic areas. International passenger flight arrivals have been limited to just four airports. Furthermore, effective March 18th, Canada denied entry to all foreign nationals on flights to Canada coming from all countries other than the US. These measures do not apply to Canadian citizens and permanent residents and their immediate family, air crews, diplomats or travelers in transit to another country. Upon entry, all travelers are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days. In addition to travelers being denied boarding if they are showing symptoms, all passengers arriving in Canada will have their health assessed. Border services officers will continue to collaborate with quarantine officers when passengers showing any symptoms are detected.
In collaboration with President Donald Trump, we announced the closure of the Canada-US border, which will come into effect in the coming days. Canadians and Americans who cross the border for essential and urgent work will be exempted. Canadians will also always be permitted to return home with the usual requirement for self-isolation.
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No one should have to worry about paying rent, buying groceries, or additional childcare because of COVID-19. As part of the Government of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, we will provide up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses, plus $55 billion to meet liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and households through tax deferrals to help stabilize the economy. Combined, that’s $82 billion in support for Canadians at this important moment.
Here are a few ways the Government is working to support you:
- Temporarily boosting the Canada Child Benefit to deliver almost $2 billion in extra support to families with children.
- Introducing an Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks to provide income support to workers who must stay home and do not have access to paid sick leave.
- Introducing a new Emergency Support Benefit delivered through the Canada Revenue Agency if you are ineligible for Employment Insurance and face unemployment.
- Providing families with low and modest incomes with a new top-up payment with Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit.
- Waiving the one-week mandatory waiting period to apply for Employment Insurance for those in self-isolation or quarantine and waive the requirement to provide a medical certificate.
- Extending the tax filing deadline to June 1st and allow all taxpayers to defer until after August 31st.
- Implementing a 6 month, interest-free moratorium on Canada Student Loans payments.
- Reducing minimal withdrawals from RRIFs by 25% to help seniors access retirement savings.
- Providing an additional $157.5 million to address the needs of Canadians facing homelessness through the Reaching Home program.
- Providing flexibility to lenders to defer mortgage payments.
We remain open to further measures to ensure, first, the health of Canadians as well as the Canadian economy.
Many of these programs will come into effect immediately and do not require an application. My office would be happy to answer any questions and help you apply for the supports for which you are eligible. More information is also available through Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.
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Whether you are self-employed, a small business owner, or an entrepreneur – you shouldn’t have to worry about losing your business or your job due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have introduced measures to help businesses with cash flow, help employers keep employees on payroll, and help Canadians keep their jobs.
On March 13th, the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Bank of Canada, and the Superintendent of Financial Institutions coordinated to take unprecedented action to support the Canadian economy:
- Activating the Business Credit Availability Program, making up to $10 billion available, via local banks, to businesses facing a cash crunch over the short term.
- The Bank of Canada will provide additional support for small-and medium-sized businesses, as well as adding additional liquidity to the market.
- OSFI is lowering the Domestic Stability Buffer requirement, releasing more than $300 billion of additional lending capacity for financial institutions.
- Special Measures expanding the Work-Sharing Program for eligible employers.
- Provide eligible small businesses a 10% wage subsidy for the next 90 days, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Employers benefiting from this measure would include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as not-for-profit organizations and charities.
- The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020.
The federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Finance are closely monitoring the spread of the virus and its impact on Canadian jobs, workers, entrepreneurs, and economic growth. The six largest financial institutions in Canada have made a commitment to work with personal and small business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions.
Feel free to contact my office if you would like to learn more about how to get started with these supports.
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Protecting Our Communities
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I understand that gathering as a community can provide peace and calm during turbulent times. It is always better if we can come together to comfort and support each other. Unfortunately, at this time, if we are to beat this virus, we may need to do that from a distance. It is now more important than ever to do our part and practice social distancing to ensure that we help flatten the curve. This will decrease the pressure on our health care system and protect our family, friends, and neighbours.
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When to Contact Public Health or Your Family Doctor
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There is a lot of uncertainty and fear surrounding COVID-19. However, in order to reduce the strain on our healthcare system, I ask that you follow public health authority guidelines to determine whether you should pursue medical attention for COVID-19.
You can complete an online self-assessment to see if you need to contact your public health unit: https://bit.ly/2U4O6bC.
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Supporting local businesses
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Everyone is being impacted by COVID-19 in some way. Now is the time to support each other as best as we can. This week, I visited Bomou Artisanal Bakery, a new small business on Bayview Avenue just south of Manor Road. Local restaurants and bakeries would appreciate your support and are open for takeout and deliveries. Support our local businesses and treat yourself during these tough days.
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SPRINT Senior Care - Meals on Wheels
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Many community groups and individuals are stepping up to do their part to support their neighbours during this difficult time. One of these groups is SPRINT Senior Care located in Don Valley West!
SPRINT Senior Care’s Meals on Wheels (MOW) program is volunteer-based and delivers tasty, nutritious meals directly to clients’ doors seven days a week, 365 days a year. MOW volunteers also perform security checks when delivering meals, to ensure clients’ safety.
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Connect with me on social media
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