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News, updates, and so much more…
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Ontario will move to Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen on June 30
The Ontario government has announced that it will move the province into Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
In order to enter Step Two of the Roadmap, Ontario needed to have vaccinated 70 per cent of adults with one dose and 20 per cent with two doses for at least two weeks, ensuring a strong level of protection against COVID-19. As of June 23, 2021, over 76 per cent of the population in Ontario ages 18 and over have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and over 29 per cent have received their second dose.
The full Roadmap to Reopen can be viewed here.
Click here on a guide to business restrictions in Step Two.
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Partial re-opening of Canadian borders to begin on July 6
Beginning July 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fully vaccinated travellers who are permitted to enter Canada will not be subject to the federal requirement to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day-8. In addition, fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air will not be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel.
To be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country, and must provide documentation supporting their vaccination in English, French or with a certified translation.
This phase will continue to restrict entry to Canada of foreign nationals, unless they already meet an exemption set out in the border restrictions, maintains pre- and on arrival testing for all travellers, and monitors for variants of concern.
Being fully vaccinated will not automatically exempt a traveller from quarantine, the mandatory hotel stay, or day-8 testing. Travellers must also electronically submit COVID-19-related information into ArriveCAN in advance of their arrival, meet the pre- and on-arrival test requirements, be asymptomatic, and have a suitable quarantine plan.
For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, there are no changes to Canada’s current border measures.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, speaking for Canada’s chamber network, remarked that Canadian businesses remain frustrated by the absence of a plan for how our country will eventually reopen borders, especially at a time when more domestic reopening plans are being published. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber, said that “the fact that it is easier for vaccinated Canadians to fly to Paris than it is to drive to Buffalo demonstrates how illogical the present policy is. It is time for common sense, guided by science, to dictate a well considered reopening plan.”
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Government of Canada announces $33 million investment in Shop Local campaigns
Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced the launch of Shop Local, a Canada-wide investment of $33 million to encourage Canadians to shop locally. Making the announcement from Butter Baker, a bakery in Markham, Minister Ng also stated that nearly $9 million of that total will be invested in Ontario, through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, to support businesses in reopening and staying open so they can thrive as the economy recovers.
The funding will be provided through provincial and territorial chambers of commerce to support awareness-building campaigns that promote consumer confidence and local businesses. The amount of funding allocated to each region will be based primarily on the percentage of small businesses.
Further details will follow.
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National Indigenous Peoples Day observed across Canada
June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, the national 25th anniversary of celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples.
The Haudenosaunee and Anishinabek are the local Indigenous Peoples of the Niagara region. Statistics Canada has observed the day with a brief profile of First Nations, Métis and Inuit, as well as a look at the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic on Indigenous people. More information can be found on Statistics Canada’s Indigenous Statistics Portal, a central location where users can find links to data and information products related to First Nations people, Métis and Inuit, including community profiles. Brock University’s Aboriginal Student Services (AbSS) has planned more than a dozen virtual events for Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week, while Niagara College Indigenous student success leaders Ashley Buck and Emily Schutt have launched a social media campaign which highlights five virtual ways to celebrate the day.
Called the Iroquois Confederacy by the French, and the League of Five Nations by the English, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, as it is properly called, means “People of the long house.” The confederacy was founded by the prophet known as the Peacemaker with the help of Aionwatha, more commonly known as Hiawatha. The exact date of the joining of the nations is unknown and said to be time immemorial, making it one of the first and longest lasting participatory democracies in the world.
The Anishinabek Nation represents 39 First Nations throughout the province of Ontario from Golden Lake in the east, Sarnia in the south, Thunder Bay and Lake Nipigon in the north. The 39 First Nations have an approximate combined population of 65,000 citizens, one third of the province of Ontario’s First Nation population. The Anishinabek Nation has four strategic regional areas: Southwest, Southeast, Lake Huron and Northern Superior. Each region is represented by a Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief.
More information on the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and Anishinabek Nation can be found on their respective websites.
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To see the first half of our Community Awareness Webinar Series, head on over to our youtube channel to watch the recording! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4eM5eQRZsY
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Restaurants Canada Spring 2021 Digital Marketplace
With patios opening around the country, it’s a perfect time to review your current setup, consider new money-saving products or services, or explore menu options that may bring in new revenue. To help operators as they prep for reopening, Restaurants Canada has a 2021 spring digital marketplace guide. Find out more
Employment Standards Act Update
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government put into effect an emergency leave regulation that changed certain Employment Standards Act (ESA) rules during the “COVID-19 period.” This regulation has now been amended to extend the COVID-19 period through September 25, 2021.
Tourism Industry Announces Campaign for Reopening the Canada-US Border
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has announced the launch of a new campaign to call on the federal government to plan for reopening the Canada-U.S. border, which has been closed for nearly 15 months. The campaign focuses on getting Canadian decision-makers to acknowledge the urgent need and to commit to a date to open the border, before the summer tourism season is lost. Find out more |
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COVID-19 and Your Business: Issue 4
COVID-19 workplace safety
Below are some tips and tools to help you operate your business safely and raise awareness of protective measures you are taking to help slow the spread of the virus.
Let’s work together to re-open our doors faster and keep them open.
Getting vaccinated is the quickest way for all of us to re-open. Faster Together, a coalition of Canadian businesses and organizations, is promoting the COVID-19 vaccine – and you can help.
Access their free-to-use digital toolkit, which includes social media shareables, newsletter banners and more, to help get the word out.
Government resources and support
| Support for reopening
Find out how Budget 2021 will help your business make a strong recovery as the economy safely reopens.
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Get info on rapid testing, find out where to get test kits and learn how to set up a testing program for your business.
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Access programs to help your business during the pandemic.
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Answer a few questions to generate a tailored list of supports for your business.
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Get census data resources to help you better understand your target market.
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Find government programs and services at your fingertips.
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Together, we can get through this pandemic. For comprehensive information about the current COVID-19 situation, financial resources and vaccines, visit Canada.ca/coronavirus or call 1-833-784-4397.
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Ontario providing accessible rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites
Building on recent success in getting millions of people vaccinated, the Ontario government is investing $3.7 million in a partnership with the Ontario Community Support Association to help people with disabilities, including seniors with mobility issues, get to and from vaccination sites so they can get their shot and help stop the spread of COVID-19.
This initiative will focus on helping people who do not have access to accessible transportation through family, neighbours or community organizations.
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release
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| OUTDOOR POOLS TO OPEN FOR THE 2021 SEASON |
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Welland, ON – The City of Welland is preparing to re-open all three pools with safety procedures to safeguard public health and lessen the spread of COVID-19.
The Rosie Smith Memorial Pool and Memorial Park Pools will open on June 25th, and Maple Park Pool will open on July 1st. Recreation & Culture Ambassadors will be on-site to aide visitors and to ensure COVID-19 safety procedures are followed.
The following procedures will be in effect at each of the Swimming Pools:
- Public access is always free.
- Daily operating hours are 12:00 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Cleaning breaks with be scheduled throughout the day, approximately every 90 minutes, at which time the pool will be vacated.
- COVID-19 prevention measures will be in place, including controlled access and screening
- Regular cleaning of hard surface areas
- Restrictions on the number of patrons will be enforced to allow for physical distancing, with the potential for a time limit to maximize public access.
- Washrooms and change rooms will be open.
- Members of the public are to avoid bringing food, lawn chairs, and large items into the pool area (These items are allowed in the parks adjacent to each pool location)
- There is no storage of belongings in change areas; all items remain with customers on the pool deck.
- Children’s wading pools at Rosie Smith and Maple Park pools to remain closed until further notice.
At this time, there will be no private pool rentals for the 2021 season; this may be revisited as the season continues; email erperngvba@jryynaq.pn for more information or visit https://www.welland.ca/RecCulture/publicswimming.asp
– 30 –
Contact:
Richard Dalton
Manager, Recreation & Culture
Recreation & Culture Division
905 735-1700 Ext. 4007
evpuneq.qnygba@jryynaq.pn |
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July 2021- Bridge 13 Illumination Calendar:
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| WELCOMING OUTDOOR WEDDINGS AT CIVIC SQUARE |
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Welland, ON – As a Community Improvement Project for 2020, a Shade View Gazebo was installed along the waterfront behind the Civic Square. This gazebo offers picturesque views perfect to those two little but big words, “I do!”
With Ontario in Step 1 of the Roadmap to Recovery to ensure the physical distancing of the 2-metre requirements, ten people will be allowed at the gazebo for a marriage ceremony.
As we move through the Roadmap, restrictions will ease, and staff will be able to provide all updated information to those booking the space.
For more information on availability and fees, please contact the Clerks Office
at 905-735-1700, Ext. 1000 or review Marriage Ceremonies webpage, or email zneevntr@jryynaq.pn.
– 30 –
Contact:
Tara Stephens
City Clerk
Corporate Services
905 735-1700 Ext. 2159
gnen.fgrcuraf@jryynaq.pn |
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Niagara COVID vaccination tracker (June 24)
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Niagara’s most up-to-date vaccination numbers are presented below, along with comparison data from Ontario, Canada, and G7 countries.
Total doses administered in Niagara: 409,749
Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 6,406
Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will begin when Ontario has vaccinated 70% of adults with one dose, 20% of adults with two doses, has positive public health indicators, and has been in Step One for at least 21 days.
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Percentage of population with one dose
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Percentage of population fully vaccinated
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Niagara
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65.2%
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20.3%
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Ontario (all)
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66.1%
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24%
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Ontario (adults)
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76.9%
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29%
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Canada
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67%
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21%
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United States
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54%
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45%
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United Kingdom
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65%
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47%
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Germany
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52%
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32%
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France
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48%
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26%
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Italy
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53%
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27%
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Japan
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19%
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8.2%
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Ontario releases Tourism Economic Recovery Report
Today, the Ontario government released a report prepared by the Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force, which makes recommendations on how to support the province’s $36-billion tourism industry in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report provides 10 key recommendations about how to rebuild and reshape the future of Ontario’s tourism industry. The recommendations include reducing red tape for tourism businesses, restoring consumer confidence in visitors through collaboration between public health officials and the tourism industry and encouraging Ontarians to experience the province through industry co-ordinated travel days. The report also suggests new opportunities to showcase the best Ontario has to offer through itineraries, packages and trails that will make it easier to find local Ontario products and experiences.
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Ontario introduces new Code of Ethics for homebuilders
The Ontario government is introducing a new Code of Ethics for builders and vendors of new homes, clarifications to the simplified warranty and protections claims process for defects in new homes, and a mediation process for homeowners who dispute a warranty claim assessment. These changes come into effect on July 1, 2021 and will support a standard of work and professionalism that reflects the best of Ontario’s homebuilding industry.
The Niagara Homebuilders Association and Ontario Homebuilders Association were extensively involved in developing the Code of Ethics and are supportive of it, noting that reputable homebuilders already hold themselves to high ethical standards.
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Ontario adding mental health workers to OPP communications centres
The Ontario government is investing $8.4 million over three years in a new Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crisis Call Diversion Program. This program will help police offer the most appropriate response to calls from individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, which may include diversion to appropriate mental health services. This investment is part of the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.
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Niagara Public Health offers COVID-19 update
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Best regards,
Alexis Higginbotham
Executive Director
WDBIA
60 East Main Street
Welland, ON
L3B 3X4
905.736.2884
downtownwelland.ca
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