As our province-wide vaccination program surpasses 1 million doses, the Federal Authorities now forecasts a considerable improve in deliveries. New sectors, corresponding to 80 and over seniors, and people receiving house care, and others, will now be eligible for his or her vaccinations sooner. The brand new accelerated program would require extra well being practitioners and the engagement of native authorities, not-for-profit organizations, and personal companies to inoculate our residents with the brand new vaccines. Automated robocalls are being despatched out by the vaccination group, led by Medical Officer of Well being Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, to supply detailed appointment reserving directions. The provincial on-line reserving portal is scheduled to go stay on Monday, March 15, for these 80 years outdated and older. Further Part 2 teams can be added to the portal as extra vaccine deliveries are acquired. A brand new helpline can be established to reply questions and assist these having hassle registering. Residents unable to attend in particular person could possibly obtain their shot at house. Please examine the Japanese Ontario Well being Unit for the most recent info at www.eohu.ca.
This week, I had the privilege of chatting with a number of legislature payments, together with Invoice 257, Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Enlargement Act. This laws goals to take away limitations to assist guarantee well timed deployment of dependable, high-speed broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas all through the province. Research present that Ontario has grow to be the costliest jurisdiction in North America to put fibre cable amenities, thought-about one of the best resolution in offering high-speed broadband service. This invoice will make a measurable impression on the 700,000 Ontario households that lack dependable high-speed broadband. Since 2019, our authorities has dedicated almost $1 billion over six years to deal with this know-how deficit.
The triple menace has hit Ontario’s tourism sector as COVID-19 created a well being, financial and social disaster. All through the pandemic, Minister Lisa MacLeod has remained dedicated to partaking with stakeholders, companions and businesses to totally perceive the financial impacts on the heritage, sport, tourism and tradition sectors. This week, Minister MacLeod introduced a Tourism Financial Restoration Ministerial Activity Power to provide knowledgeable recommendation and proposals on serving to the province’s $36 billion tourism trade recuperate from the COVID-19 pandemic. Its mandate consists of offering methods and recommendation that assist place Ontario and its native communities as locations of alternative for journey, and determine journey and tourism incentives, merchandise, and experiences that improve vacation spot improvement. The tourism sector helps greater than 400,000 jobs province-wide. The duty power, chaired by former Minister of Tourism Tim Hudak, will report again by late spring.
Ontario launched the Social Services Relief Fund in March 2020 to assist shield the well being and security of the province’s most susceptible individuals throughout COVID-19. As a part of its Neighborhood Housing Renewal Technique and response to COVID-19, Ontario is investing roughly $1.75 billion in 2020-2021 to assist maintain, restore and develop group housing to deal with homelessness. This week we introduced $3,521,944 to assist the Metropolis of Cornwall Social Providers reply to a rise in COVID-19 circumstances in some emergency shelters and assist maintain susceptible individuals protected all through our area. The COVID-19 pandemic has positioned additional calls for on shelters to supply a protected place for individuals in want, and this funding will give these shelters the extra assist they should cease the unfold of COVID-19 as they work to make sure everybody can discover and maintain a protected and safe roof over their head.
As all the time, keep in mind to remain house, keep protected and save lives. Your well being and that of your family members might rely upon it.
Regards,
Jim McDonell
MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry
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