Dear Friends,
As the information is becoming available, my team and I will continue to keep you informed on the latest. Today, a number of new announcements were made to assist with businesses, Ontario testing measures, and long term care. We will continue to work to ensure that no one is left behind or put at risk in our battle against COVID-19.
Here are today’s new developments:
- Canada is expanding measures to help businesses during the pandemic, including broadened loan eligibility -- groups like the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) says these changes still leave out certain firms, like new businesses and the self-employed.
- Trudeau will talk to premiers today about helping small businesses with rents – for weeks, the NDP has been calling on the Ontario government to provide help to small and medium-sized businesses, including a 75 per cent rent subsidy.
- Canada won't be opening up its border with the U.S. anytime soon, despite what President Trump said yesterday.
- Ontario continues to fall behind the rest of the provinces when it comes to COVID-19 testing.
Here are some concerns the NDP is working on, and solutions we’re pushing for:
- Andrea Horwath called on the Ford government to close the dangerous gaps in his new orders to protect vulnerable group living facilities – gaps include waiting a week for measures to take effect, and exempting temp agency staff from the rule to work in one home only.
- The NDP's Health critic says Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca's call for an inquiry into long-term care during the pandemic is self-serving, given Del Duca and the Liberals "blocked the call for a broad independent inquiry into the unfolding crisis in long-term care two years ago."
Here are some things we’re hearing from our community members:
- Concerns about the state of long-term care and seniors homes before COVID-19 — a problem the NDP has been raising for years.
- Ongoing concerns about small businesses that are failing, with some facing eviction — through no fault of their own — because there is no provincial support in place for expenses like commercial rent.
Email me to let me know how you’re doing, and what you’re concerned about: tnatyshak-co@ndp.on.ca
Stay safe,
Taras