To reduce the risk of COVID-19 from entering long-term care homes from the community, the government is providing up to $125 million to immediately add over 500 critical care and high intensity medicine beds to hospitals in areas with high rates of COVID-19 transmission

The new funding will help homes adhere to enhanced staff and visitor testing requirements and continue to improve COVID-19 prevention and containment. This new investment brings Ontario’s total funding to protect long-term care homes since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to $1.38 billion. 

The government is providing $7.5 million to help educators better support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The funding will be used to deliver online courses and training opportunities for teachers and educational assistants in all 72 of Ontario's district school boards. Ontario is also investing in subsidies for educators to take the ASD-specific Additional Qualification course.

The government is providing $5 million to support Ontario’s agriculture and horticultural societies to help offset their losses due to cancellation of fall fairs and exhibits as a result of COVID-19. This includes: 

• Base Support Funding: $1.8 million will provide eligible agricultural societies with $7,000, and eligible horticultural societies with $1,140 in funding to support their continued delivery of agricultural and horticultural education across Ontario.
  
  
• Hardship Funding: $3.2 million Hardship Funding for eligible agricultural societies will provide additional support, which will be based on their reported gate receipts from 2019. This will help off-set operating losses, liabilities, and fixed overhead costs. 

To further combat crime across the province, the government is investing in cloud-based technology to allow evidence, once physically handled, to be shared securely amongst justice sector partners through the Digital Evidence Management program. This will ensure timely access to evidence, capacity to store and share large files, reduce delays and enable police to spend more time investigating crimes and keeping their communities safe.

Through the Ontario Together Fund, the government is providing over $2.3 million in funding to McMaster University and University of Toronto - who are playing a critical role in the fight against COVID-19 as they research, develop and test personal protective equipment. 

• $1,122,000 in University of Toronto to support its Dalla Lana School of Public Health’s mask testing facility to ensure N95, surgical and procedure masks meet Health Canada personal protective requirements.
  
  
• $1,212,000 in McMaster University to accelerate the work at its newly created Centre of Excellence in Protective Equipment and Materials to work with Canadian manufacturers with their R&D needs in designing, manufacturing and testing of PPE.   

Ontario is providing more than $51.5 million for 12 public infrastructure projects in Mississauga through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. Projects involve various upgrades to public transit infrastructure including new heated bus shelters with digital signage and new, fully accessible bus stop pads. MiWay fleet buses will undergo major rehabilitations which include the replacement of engines, transmissions, and energy storage systems that will extend the useful life of the city's bus fleet while helping reduce maintenance and operating costs. All transit buses will receive upgrades to their video monitoring and scheduling systems.

Ontario is also investing $2.9 million for two regional Transhelp public transit infrastructure projects. These projects include the replacement of existing specialized transit buses with 69 new specialized, 8-metre buses and new propane-powered buses, with side-mounted lift carrying up to six wheelchair passengers. Also, the adoption of the PRESTO electronic fare collection system including the design, planning, purchase and hardware installation of up to 145 portable, tablet-based, electronic payment units. 

The Ontario government is providing police services across the province with additional tools and resources to combat crime and keep communities safe by investing approximately $181 million over two years through the Community Safety and Policing Grant (CSP) program. Sixteen police services will receive funding for projects that combat gun and gang violence, sexual violence and harassment, as well as human trafficking — three areas identified as provincial priorities. 

Peel Police Services Board will receive over $17.1 million in funding for their Community Mobilization Program. Developed within Peel Regional Police, the Community Mobilization Program focuses on improving the lives of community members by preventing and reducing crime through community policing. Officers assigned to this program work together in small teams to identify community priorities, engage with community members, motivate community participation and increase trust.

The government is extending off-peak electricity rates of 8.5c/kWh, 24/7 for all residential, small business, and farm customers until Feb, 9 2021. Changes happen automatically for electricity consumption as of January 1, 2021. 

If you're finding it difficult to pay for your electricity and natural gas bill during this time, you can apply for additional support through the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for residents (CEAP) or small businesses (CEAP-SB). To apply, contact your electricity and/or natural gas utility. 

Effective February 4, the government is providing clarity regarding pet grooming during COVID-19. Pet grooming businesses can open if they:

• Are strictly necessary to prevent an animal from requiring foreseeable and reasonably imminent veterinary care.
  
  
• Are providing services that an animal owner has been required to obtain pursuant to an order issued under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019.

Pet grooming businesses may only open to provide the above-noted services if they only provide the services by appointment, permit one appointment for one animal at a time and if services are provided through curb-side pickup and drop-off of the animal.

As truck drivers continue to work long hours and bring essential goods into the province, the government is supporting them by improving 14 existing truck rest areas, building 10 new rest areas and adding 178 additional truck parking spaces at four existing ONroute travel plazas. 

The province is also educating the public about the signs of human trafficking and raise awareness about the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline through signs being posted at ONroute locations, rest areas, carpool lots and truck inspection stations.

The province is providing a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to eligible small businesses to help cover their decreased revenue expected as a result of the Province-wide Shutdown. This grant also provides flexibility for small business owners so that they can spend it however makes the most sense for their businesses (e.g. paying rent, paying employee wages, maintaining inventory, etc.).

Eligible small businesses include those that are required to close or restrict services subject to the Provincewide Shutdown effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26, 2020; have 100 employees or fewer at the enterprise level; and have experienced a minimum of 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019. New businesses established since April 2019 will also be eligible provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.

To apply, click here  www.ontario.ca/COVIDsupport 

The government has expanded the list of health care providers eligible to administer COVID-19 vaccines. This could include nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered practical nurses, along with pharmacists, pharmacy students, interns and pharmacy technicians. Health care professionals who are able to administer the vaccine can register and apply through Ontario's Matching Portal.

Individuals interested in supporting the broader COVID-19 vaccination plan in roles such as data entry and scheduling, can also express their interest through the portal. 

The Ontario government is investing $4.5 million in 2021-2022 to help protect and recover plants and animals that are in danger of disappearing in the province.

The funding will be provided to non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, conservation authorities, and other groups/individuals for on-the-ground projects through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program that help preserve species at risk and their habitats.

Applications for the 2021-2022 program are open until February 9, 2021 at 3 pm. If you or someone you know wants to at risk species, click here to apply.

The government is investing up to $3 million to support Ontario’s horse experience businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions through the new Equine Hardship Program. The program will provide individual businesses offering horse related experiences up to $2,500 per horse and up to a maximum of $20,000 in financial support to help cover direct costs for feed, water, veterinary care and farrier services needed to maintain horses.

To learn more and apply for the program, click here.

Ontario's Support for Learners program has been launched to help families with kids in online learning.  The program provides $200 one-time payment for kids to grade 12 or $250 for kids with special needs till age 21. Application are due on Feb 8th, 2021, click here to apply. 

If you have applied and have not received the payment as of yet, please feel free to call our office at 905 696 0367 or email us at [email protected], we'll be glad to connect with the Ministry and help you. 

January 28th marks Bell Let's talk day, an annual campaign which helps raise awareness about mental health by focusing on fighting stigmas around mental illness, improving access to care, supporting world-class research and leading by example at workplace mental health.

Data shows that almost 30% of Ontarians will experience a mental health or addiction problem during the course of their lives. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 38% of Canadians say their mental health has declined due to COVID-19, and people already struggling with their mental health were twice as more likely to say their mental health has declined due to the pandemic. In positive news, 83% of Canadians now say they are comfortable speaking with others about mental health. Let's continue to end the stigma around mental illness and talk about our mental health. 

 It's important to remember, you are not alone. There is always someone to listen to your feelings and services available to support your journey to mental wellness during and after these unprecedented times. Whether you're a youth, adult or senior, below are services available to support your mental well being.

Support for Youth and Adults 

If you're a child or a youth and would like to speak to someone about your mental health, call the Kids Help Phone line at 1-800-668-6868

If you're an adult or a youth experiencing feelings of anxiety or depression or anger, Ontario's Bounce Back program is providing free, guided mental health support. Services include workbooks, activities and videos to help you through your journey towards mental wellness. Visit https://bouncebackontario.ca to access supports. You can also speak with a mental health coach by calling 1-866-345-0224.  

Adults can also Text WELLNESS to 686868 to chat with a volunteer crisis responder 24/7. 

Support for Frontline Workers

If you're a frontline health care worker facing anxiety, burnout or post-traumatic stress disorder during COVID-19, find out if Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is right for you.

Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) is a practical, short-term program delivered online. It can also help you cope with situations related to COVID-19, such as isolation, pressure caring for family and community members, information overload and stress.

Supports include self-referral, online peer discussion groups & access to confidential support from a clinician. Click here for more information  

Support for Seniors

Ontario is investing $12 million to add new mental health beds in hospitals and to expand programs that support the mental health and well-being of seniors in Ontario. This includes $10.9 million to create additional 46 in-patient mental health beds in 16 hospitals. Through this funding, Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga has received $934,400 for 4 beds.

This investment will directly support patients experiencing mental health challenges, including those experiencing a mental health crisis that require treatment and care more appropriately provided in a hospital setting.

Enhanced support is also being provided to the Seniors Safety Line with an additional investment of up to $130,000. If you need help with a case of senior abuse, call the 24/7, confidential line by dialing 1-866-299-1011.

The Mississauga-Malton Youth Council is beginning to roll out their projects in the coming weeks. The chosen projects for the 2021 year include a Financial Literacy Webinar, Mental Health Week, a community issues podcast, and social media accounts directed at ensuring youth are in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.

The group has begun to roll out their social media accounts, so do follow them at mmc_yc on Twitter/Instagram, or on Facebook. 

Connecting Virtually

Read my Monthly Mississauga News Column 

Are you a food and beverage manufacturer looking to expand your reach to new markets? If so, Ontario's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will be holding a webinar with great tips from industry experts and trade commissioners on how you can successfully expand to the Netherlands and Germany.  

Topics include new and upcoming food trends, the free trade agreement, doing business in a post-COVID-19 world, and opportunities for you as an Ontario supplier. The webinar will take place on February 10th at 10 am.

 2021 Budget Consultation 

Ontario's 2020 budget is part of a three-year plan that provides resources to protect and support Ontarians during the COVID-19 pandemic, while laying the groundwork for a strong recovery fueled by economic growth. Leading up to the spring 2021 Budget, the government will be consulting with individuals across the province to hear ideas on how to continue supporting workers, families and business owners during COVID-19 . 

Participate in the online 2021 budget consultation by sharing your ideas via email, mail or through an online survey by February 12. 

Have thoughts on Digital ID? 

The government has launched consultations on it's new Digital ID program. Through this program, families  and businesses in Ontario will have the option to securely and conveniently prove their identity online for government and private sector services. For example, a parent could more easily access their children's immunization records and share them online with their school.

Public Consultations for the Digital ID are now open. Take a online survey to share your thoughts about this new program. Surveys are open until 11:59 p.m. February 26, 2021.

Increasing Campus Safety 

The government is proposing changes to sexual violence and harassment policies at postsecondary institutions. This would require two changes: protecting complainants from irrelevant questioning about their sexual history and ensuring they're not subject to disciplinary actions for violating an institution's drug and alcohol use policies at the time an alleged sexual violence took place.

To provide your feedback or comments on this proposal, click here.