Today, the provincial government declared a State of Emergency in order to take steps to limit the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
Today, the provincial government declared a State of Emergency in order to take steps to limit the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
As a result of this declaration and its associated orders, the following establishments are legally required to close immediately:
- All facilities providing indoor recreational programs;
- All public libraries;
- All private schools as defined in the Education Act;
- All licensed child care centres;
- All bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout food and delivery;
- All theatres including those offering live performances of music, dance, and other art forms, as well as cinemas that show movies; and
- Concert venues.
Further, all organized public events of over fifty people are also prohibited, including parades and events and communal services within places of worship.
Residents are strongly encouraged to continue practicing social distancing, regular hand washing and staying home, especially when sick.
You can read the full new release here.
The Official Opposition continues to await details of financial support to help people through this, including those who will see their income eliminated or dramatically reduced during this pandemic if we don’t take action. Waged workers, those working in the gig economy, the self-employed including everyone from artists to construction workers, and small and medium-sized businesses and community-based organizations, and their staff, need immediate support to make it through this emergency.
I was pleased to see that late last night the Ministry of Attorney General announced that no new eviction orders will be issued until further notice in Ontario due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that Sheriff’s offices have been asked to postpone any scheduled enforcement of eviction orders currently set for this week. Thank you to everyone who wrote to me to call for this move.
Yesterday, Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath put forward our priorities to assist Ontarians in the upcoming emergency legislation, to be tabled at Queen’s Park this week. Read them here.
The situation is developing hour by hour, but your source for the latest official updates on the pandemic response remains our public health agencies, links to which to you can find on my website at: www.maritstiles.ca/coronavirus
I have received countless emails from people in our community who are calling for the government to take real action to prevent the spread of this virus and to look out for those in need.
I want you to know that I hear your concerns and am working constructively with fellow MPPs in all parties to ensure that our province gets this right. In my role as Official Opposition Critic for Education, I spoke with the Ministers of Health and Education yesterday to relay our community concerns and to get an update on protective measures for our schools and childcare spaces.
Here in Davenport, my staff team remains available to serve constituents, but our community office is closed to walk-ins. Please contact our team by email at [email protected] or phone 416-535-3158 and we’ll do our very best to help.
Stay safe everyone. I’m more proud than ever to represent a community like ours, with so many people looking out for each other and concerned for the common good.
Marit
Marit Stiles, MPP
Davenport