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News, updates, and so much more…
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Niagara Public Health recommends workplaces implement vaccination policies, offers resources to do so
Niagara Region Public Health is recommending local employers establish a workplace vaccination policy to protect their employees and clients from COVID-19, and to prevent disruption of business recovery.
With the Delta variant currently driving a fourth wave in Niagara, there have been 11 workplace outbreaks so far in September. This has required many employees to isolate as close contacts, disrupting business and impeding the economic recovery so many businesses need. A common denominator of workplace outbreaks has been low vaccination uptake by employees.
A COVID-19 vaccination policy is the most effective means to increase vaccination coverage in the workplace.
Niagara Public Health has developed COVID-19 vaccination workplace policy resources for:
- Organizations mandated by a provincial directive to have a vaccination policy that are looking for additional resources to strengthen their existing policy
- Any workplace or organization that wants to voluntarily create a COVID-19 vaccination policy
- Businesses that require Ontarians to provide proof of vaccination
Andrew Peller Ltd., Vintage Hotels, Arterra Wines Canada, Rankin Construction Inc., and Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls are among the major Niagara employers to have already stepped forward with a mandatory vaccination policy.
Click here for more information.
Click here to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines.
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National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation schedule for Truth and Reconciliation Week
The NCTR is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations. It derives its mandate from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and from the agreements under which the Centre was established and the records of Residential School Survivors first entrusted to its care.
Click here for more information.
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Proof of vaccination required in Niagara municipal areas and facilities (updated)
From today, Ontarians will be required to prove their vaccination status before entering certain businesses and facilities. Here is a list of Niagara municipalities that have announced restrictions based on vaccine status.
Click here to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines.
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Reminder: Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit extended to December 31, 2021
Paid infectious disease emergency leave was originally set to end September 25, 2021. It will now continue until December 31, 2021. Employers are now required to provide eligible employees with up to three days of paid infectious disease emergency leave because of certain reasons related to COVID-19. Eligible employers must make their application for reimbursement to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board within 120 days of the date the employer paid the employee, or by April 30, 2022, whichever is earlier.
Click here for more information.
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Have your voice heard on the future of transit in Niagara
Niagara Region and all 12 local area municipalities are considering moving to a single, consolidated public transit system – a decision that could be made as early as this fall.
The proposed model, based on consultation with all municipalities, would bring consistent operating hours and fares, new digital payment technology, and better connections for riders across Niagara.
The GNCC has supported this project and its implementation, recognizing that a streamlined, unified, and improved public transit system creates more opportunities for our workforce and for employers in the region.
We ask that you visit MovingTransitForward.ca to show your support for better transit in Niagara.
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Niagara Health re-opening St. Catharines Site COVID-19 assessment centre
Niagara Health is re-opening its COVID-19 drive-through assessment centre at the St. Catharines Site on Tuesday, Sept. 21 due to an increase in demand for testing. The St. Catharines Site assessment centre will be in addition to the Greater Niagara General assessment centre in Niagara Falls. The operating hours for both locations will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week, including all holidays.
Book a COVID-19 test appointment online or call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19). Please note that walk-ins are not accepted for COVID-19 testing at either location.
Click here for more information.
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Welland celebrates Niagara Francophone community with flag raising for Franco-Ontarian Day
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2021
Welland, ON –In celebration of Franco-Ontarian Day on Sept. 25, the City of Welland recognizes and acknowledges Niagara’s Francophone population and will raise the Franco-Ontarian flag at City Hall on Sept. 24. at 11 a.m.
The City of Welland, with a community that is 11 per cent French-speaking, is one of Ontario’s 26 designated Francophone communities.
“It is the people who make up our community and what Welland embodies, and the Francophone community in Welland is a vital piece of who we are,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “I am proud to raise the Franco-Ontarian flag in recognition and support of our French-Canadian community here in Welland.”
Visiting Discover Welland — Decouvrir on the City’s website allows visitors a French-language section rich with information on the best places to see and visit in the City as well as highlight Welland’s attractions, history of Francophone culture, sister city Sorel-Tracy in Quebec, and relevant links to related news and resources.
The City of Wellandn continues to strengthen partnerships with organizations such as Francophone Employment and Resource Centre (CERF-Niagara), Centre de Santé Communautaire, Foyer Richelieu Welland, l’Auberge Richelieu Welland, Collége Boréal, and Paroisse Sacré-Cœur. These organizations are vital in supporting Welland’s French-speaking families.
Minister of Francophone Affairs, the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, also wrote a letter of support to the City of Welland for advancing the Francophone community’s many contributions to the City and the province.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
Manager, Corporate Communications
905-735-1700 x2337
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Niagara Health COVID-19 vaccination clinic to permanently close on Saturday, Sept. 25
After administering almost 260,000 doses, Niagara Health will permanently close the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the St. Catharines Site on Saturday, Sept. 25.
Vaccination remains a priority, and there will be a number of options for Niagara residents to get vaccinated, including:
- Same-day and future appointments at public health clinics through the provincial booking tool or by calling 1-833-943-3900 (you can continue to book or walk-into Niagara Health’s clinic until Sept. 25).
- Dedicated pop-up clinics by Niagara Region Public Health in convenient locations.
- Participating pharmacies and primary care providers.
Click here for more information.
Click here to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines.
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Truth and Reconciliation
Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be observed on September 30. It provides an opportunity for us to recognize and commemorate the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools and the trauma experienced by so many. From today until September 30, this section of the Daily Update will contain resources and information to aid and honour residential school survivors and their families, and to promote good relationships and economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. We believe the business community has an important role to play in reconciliation.
September 30 is a federal statutory holiday. If your business is federally-regulated, you must observe this holiday. For provincially-regulated businesses, observation is optional.
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Help and Resources
For those who need support, a national Residential School Survivor Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 1-866-925-4419. For non-Indigenous people, Crisis Services Canada is available to help: 1-833-456-4566.
The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program provides mental health, emotional and cultural support services to eligible former Indian Residential School students and their families.
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Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada reports
The reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission contain 94 recommendations, as well as histories of the residential school system, stories of survivors, information on missing children and unmarked burials, and more. The reports are essential reading for anyone interested in truth and reconciliation and in calls to action so that Canada can move forward. They are freely available and in the public domain.
Read the reports here.
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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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