Newmarket-Aurora MPP, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliot sends you a message and answers commonly asked questions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is a challenging and difficult time for many families in our community. The actions of everyone staying home and avoiding close contact with others are making a real difference in our fight against COVID-19.
To continue protecting the health and safety of all Ontarians, the government has extended the Declaration of Emergency until May 12. This means all non-essential workplaces will remain closed, including parks, playgrounds, bars and restaurants, except those restaurants that offer takeout or pick-up. While we have reason to have hope, it’s never been more important to remain vigilant. So please continue to do your part. Stay home. Avoid close contact with others. Lives depend on it.
My constituency office is always available to help support the people and families in Newmarket-Aurora. We have already received hundreds of phone calls and thousands of emails. In this edition of the Newmarket-Aurora constituency update, I'm sharing some of the most common questions and answers we’ve received.
Q: What should I do if I see people gathering together at parks and other public places?
Ontario has issued an emergency order to close all outdoor recreational amenities to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This includes closing all shared public or private outdoor spaces, including playgrounds, sports fields and courts, off-leash dog parks, skateboard parks, picnic areas and community gardens. Green spaces in parks, trails, ravines and conservation areas remain open for walk-through access, but individuals must stay at least two metres apart from others.
These rules are in place to keep Ontarians safe. If you see people who are not adhering to these emergency orders, please contact the toll free, non-emergency line for York Regional Police at 1-866-876-5423.
Q: How come my pharmacist is only able to renew my prescription for one month?
To ensure that every patient has an adequate supply of their medications, pharmacists and physicians are dispensing 30 days or less of medication at a time with some exceptions. Ontario continues to monitor the situation and will make adjustments as needed.
Q: How can I help my children keep up with their education?
Ontario extended closure of publicly funded schools until May 4, 2020. To support parents and their children during this unprecedented time, Ontario launched the second phase of Learn at Home, which includes:
- Re-establishing teacher-led learning by grade groupings;
- Final report cards for all students;
- Prioritizing and supporting students on track to graduate;
- Distributing laptops and/or devices from schools as needed, while observing public health direction.
Learn at Home will ensure children continue to safely learn and provide stability during this time. For more information visit Ontario.ca/LearnAtHome
Q: Which childcare centres are open for frontline workers?
Ontario is funding emergency child care centres to support various essential workers during this COVID-19 outbreak in communities like Newmarket and Aurora.
Kids & Company, located in Aurora, will remain open to help health-care and other frontline workers access safe and local emergency child care. Childcare centres like Kids & Company will be required to follow existing health and safety requirements and have a plan in place should any staff, children or parents be exposed to the virus.
A list of emergency child care centres is available here.
Q: How is the government helping people with Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) loans and payments?
Ontario is helping OSAP borrowers by temporarily suspending student loan payments. From March 30, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2020, borrowers will not be required to make any loan payments and no interest will accumulate during this period. Borrowers can still make one-time payments via their online account or online banking if they want to repay their loan faster.
COVID-19 SPECIAL FUNDING UPDATES
Support for Families Plan
Investing over $300 million to support parents. While schools and childcare centres remain closed, the new Support for Families initiative will provide parents with $200 per child up to the age of 12 and $250 per child/youth with special needs up to the age of 21.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
Investing nearly $5 million to the Regional Municipality of York to protect the health and safety of the province’s most vulnerable people in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. This funding will provide relief for homeless shelters, food banks and emergency services so they can continue to deliver essential services in a safe and healthy manner. This is part of Ontario’s investment of $200 million for service relief funding.
Mental Health Supports
Providing emergency funding of $12 million to expand online and virtual mental health supports. Access online or phone services now through ConnexOntario, Kids Help Phone, Good2Talk, BounceBack Ontario.
Providing $2.6 million to hire new psychologists and other mental health workers to support Ontario Provincial Police personnel.
Strengthening Victims Services
Victim Services of York Region in Newmarket will receive $55,000 as part of this one-time emergency payment, in addition to its annual funding allocation from the Ministry of the Attorney General. This is part of the $2.7 million to support services for victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes during the COVID-19 crisis across the province.
Helping those in Need
Helping to connect community organizations with volunteers the province needs to help support older adults, people with disabilities and others in need of assistance while they stay home. Volunteer organizations and people interested in volunteering are encouraged to visit the SPARK Ontario website and learn more about how you can help Ontarians during this time.
For the latest COVID-19 information, visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus.
You can also reach out to my constituency office by calling 905-853-9889 or emailing [email protected].
