Robert Oliphant

July 2020 Update

Dear friends,

As much of Ontario enters Stage 3 in the COVID-19 recovery plan and we enjoy the warm weather, it is important to remember that we still need to follow public health guidelines to ensure that we fight COVID-19 together. We need to practise physical distancing and wear a non-medical mask or a cloth face covering when physical distancing is not possible. The use of a mask is, of course, now mandatory in indoor public spaces in Toronto. And remember, if you are sick, please do not go outside and do not go to work. Wash your hands regularly and clean commonly-used surfaces.

Late last week, our government announced an agreement with provinces and territories that will see over $19 billion invested in protecting the health of Canadians, getting people safely back to work, and preparing for a potential second wave. This Safe Restart Agreement for the next six months includes investments in priority areas, including:

Helping municipalities deliver key services;
Increasing testing and contract tracing;
Additional support for provincial and territorial health care systems, including challenges related to mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness;
Securing personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare workers and businesses;
Supporting the most vulnerable, including seniors in long-term care facilities and nursing homes;
Ensuring safe child care is available so parents can return to work; and
Supporting people who do not have paid sick leave.

Through a Team Canada effort, all levels of government are working to ensure that we build back better.

In other news...The Genetic Non-Discrimination Act

Last week, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that The Genetic Non-Discrimination Act is constitutional. Now retired, Senator Jim Cowan and I worked with a great team in the last Parliament to make Bill S-201 law ensuring Canadians are protected against discrimination based on their personal genetic information.

This bill has three crucial and necessary pillars that protect Canadians. It created a new Genetic Non-Discrimination Act that prohibits service providers from demanding genetic testing or requiring past results. It also provides for a complaint procedure for federal employees facing disciplinary action because of results from genetic testing. Lastly, it adds "genetic characteristics" as a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. Each pillar of Bill S-201 is crucial to protect Canadians from genetic discrimination, advance genetic research and improve Canadians health.

This is a great victory for Parliament. A great victory for people concerned about genetic illness. A great victory for physicians and researchers.

Here to Help

The federal government continues to provide many support measures to help individuals, families, students, seniors, and businesses navigate the challenges caused by COVID-19. As always, I will provide an update below on new or updated measures. To find out which program you could be eligible for, click here.

My Constituency Office remains closed, but my staff and I continue to serve you from home. The office has now been retrofitted to ensure safety of both my staff and of people visiting when it re-opens. It will not re-open until Toronto has moved to at least the next Phase.

If you ever have any questions or need support understanding measures taken by the federal government, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 416-467-7275 or [email protected].

Rob

Economic and Fiscal Snapshot 2020

On July 8, Finance Minister Bill Morneau provided an economic and fiscal snapshot highlighting the current state of our economy and our government's plan to stabilize and rebuild it in the coming months. We are in a difficult situation, however, our economic plan is sound and being looked at by countries around the world for both its innovative approaches and its success in ensuring we will come out of this crisis on a solid economic footing.

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan is ensuring Canadians have the support they need to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. Representing nearly 14 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP), the Plan includes more than $230 billion in measures to protect the health and safety of Canadians and provide direct support to Canadians, businesses and other employers, and up to $85 billion in tax and customs duty payment deferrals to meet liquidity needs of businesses and Canadian families. Here is how the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan is supporting Canadians:

As of June 28, the CERB has provided support to 8.16 million individuals.
The CEWS has supported about three million employees by helping them stay in the workforce or return to work.
Approximately 3.7 million families benefitted from a special one-time $300 top-up of the CCB for each child.
12 million low and modest-income individuals and families received a special one-time payment through the GST credit. On average, single adults received $400 in additional benefits, and couples almost $600.
Over $1.4 billion to over 600,000 students through the CESB. It provides a $1,250 base benefit amount to eligible students, and an additional $750 per month to those with dependents or a disability.
6.7 million seniors are receiving a one-time tax-free payment of $300. 2.2 million of which, who are also eligible for the GIS, received an additional $200.
As of July 3, 688,000 applicants have been approved for CEBA.

With comparatively low levels of debt, the Government of Canada has the room to borrow and support the Canadian economy. In fact, even given Canada’s increased borrowing needs due to the COVID-19 response, public debt charges are expected to fall in 2020-21, as a result of historically low borrowing rates.

Our priority is to support Canadians and businesses get through these tough times. However, we are also working to ensure that we can build a more resilient economy for the future.

Click here to read the Economic and Fiscal Snapshot.

Whole-of-Government Response to COVID-19

Travel and Borders

Global Travel Advisory

In an effort to protect the health of Canadians, the Government of Canada has taken a number of extraordinary measures at the border, such as restricting all non-essential travel. As some international borders begin to re-open, it is important to remember that Canada recommends avoiding all non-essential travel abroad. We also continue to advise travellers to avoid all cruise ship travel until further notice.

We have also extended the Emergency Order requirements related to mandatory isolation and quarantine until August 31, 2020 for travellers. Anyone entering Canada—whether by air, land or sea—will continue to be required to isolate for 14 days if they have COVID-19, or have reasonable grounds to suspect that they have signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or quarantine for 14 days if they do not have signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

Canada-US Border

As we continue to work to fight COVID-19, Canada and the United States have agreed to extend the temporary restriction of all non-essential travel across the Canada-US border by one month, until August 21st. The federal government chose to ensure that this applied to professional sports teams as well.

ArriveCAN

To reduce wait times at Canadian ports of entry and to limit points of contact, download the ArriveCAN app prior to your arrival. Also, make sure you sign up with Registration of Canadians Abroad to receive important updates during your travel.

Service Canada Offices Reopening

While Service Canada offices have been closed for in-person services due to COVID-19, services have been provided to Canadians virtually through the eServiceCanada portal. This portal allows Canadians requiring assistance from Service Canada to submit an online request and to receive a call-back from a Service Canada officer within two business days.

In person service at Service Canada Centres are starting to gradually reopen. Close to 100 locations will be opened by the end of July. As Service Canada Centres reopen, protecting the health and safety of Canadians and Service Canada employees is a priority. Key safety measures have been put in place to be consistent with public health guidelines.

If you require in-person services, check the Find a Service Canada Office webpage to see if your local office is open. Please make a request for an appointment through the eServiceCanada portal and opt for virtual services whenever possible.

Support for People

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Many Canadians are beginning to return to work, but some still face challenges due to COVID-19. That is why our government has extended the Canada Emergency Response Benefit by eight weeks, to ensure Canadians have the help they need as they transition back to work. As we begin to restart the economy, workers should be seeking work opportunities or returning to work, provided they are able and it is reasonable to do so.

Canada Child Benefit is Increasing!

In May 2020, families already receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) got a one-time $300 boost per child. This was in addition to their regular May CCB payment.

Yesterday, the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit increased once again to keep pace with the cost of living. That means up to $6,765 per child under age 6 and up to $5,708 per child age 6 through 17!

Support for Businesses

Our Government is taking immediate and decisive action to help Canadians and businesses through this challenging time. We are helping Canadian businesses protect jobs, and pay their bills by:

providing an up to 75% wage subsidy for qualifying employers, which is being extended until December;
allowing businesses to defer GST/HST payments, and customs duties until the end of June;
launching the new Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to help provide interest-free loans to small businesses and not-for-profits.
creating the new Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) for Canada’s largest employers
expanding the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) for mid-sized companies, we’re providing up to $60 million ($80 million in the case of guarantees) of support to help cover operational costs.
implementing the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses, to provide forgivable loans to commercial property owners who in turn lower the rent for their tenants by 75%.

Visit canada.ca/coronavirus to learn more about programs that can support your business.

Support for Young Canadians

If you’re a student aged 15-30 and looking for a job right now, the Canada Summer Jobs program has many opportunities available in our community on the Job Bank website: https://jobbank.gc.ca/youth. Thousands of jobs are already posted online and more will be added over the coming weeks to support you in gaining valuable work experience. The CSJ program is creating 80,000 job opportunities for youth across the country!

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS)

We are creating over 3,500 new job placements and internships through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. New funding of $34 million, in addition to the over $153 million announced on April 22, will support programs serving high-demand sectors such as health, community services, and information technology, and help other sectors to recover.

The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) aims to provide flexible employment services and enhanced supports for young Canadians so they can develop the skills and gain the experience they need to successfully transition into the labour market.

Through YESS, 500 green jobs and training opportunities are being created for young people in STEM in the energy, forestry, mining, earth sciences, and clean technology sectors. Ranging from six months to a year in length, these internships will give young people invaluable work experience and the chance to explore careers in the natural resource sector.

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

Our government is supporting an additional 20,000 job placements for post-secondary students in high demand sectors. A new investment of $186 million in the Student Work Placement Program will help more post-secondary students across Canada get paid work experience related to their field of study. This funding is in addition to the $80 million that was announced on April 22, 2020.

Mental Health Resources

Please remember that it's okay to not be okay. Feelings of fear, stress and worry are normal in a crisis. Stay informed, but take breaks from social media and news stories.

Also know that you’re not alone. We’re here for you - and we’re making sure there are tools and resources available to help you. For resources, tools, and to be connected to a mental health professional, please access Wellness Together Canada, a mental health portal for Canadians: ca.portal.gs.

If you are in crisis or need immediate support, text WELLNESS to 741741.

Young Canadians feeling scared, alone, or anxious can contact Kids Help Phone for help 24/7. Don't hesitate to reach out through text, 686868, or call 1-800-668-6868.

We're here to help!

Thank you for your continued goodwill and community spirit through this difficult time. Although we are working from home, my staff and I are making every effort to ensure Don Valley West remains a strong, vibrant community through this pandemic. If you have any concerns, questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or call 416-467-7275.

All the best,

Rob

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