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News, updates, and so much more…
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More high-risk individuals will be eligible for 3rd COVID-19 vaccine shot on November 6
Over the coming months, Ontario is prepared to gradually roll out booster doses to all Ontarians aged 12 and over.
The province will begin offering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the following vulnerable populations if at least six months have passed since their last dose:
- Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier);
- Health care workers and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers);
- Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine); and
- First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members.
Click here for more information
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Visit participating businesses in Niagara’s South Coast to collect “Stamps from the South Coast”. When you fill your explore pass with six stamps, submit it for a chance to win one of several weekly prizes valued at $150! www.niagarasouthcoast.com/mystamps #stampsfromsouthcoast
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Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health report no current need for COVID-19 boosters
Given there is currently no evidence of widespread waning of protection against severe disease in the general population who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Canada, boosters for this group are not required at this time but we will continue to monitor vaccine effectiveness and other data to inform the need in the future. NACI’s current recommendations for key populations were informed by the current epidemiology in Canada and the latest evidence of vaccine effectiveness and potential decreased protection.
Click here for more information.
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Niagara’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy
Niagara Economic Development in collaboration with our local Economic Development Officials have started work on the Niagara Region 10-year Economic Development Strategy and we are looking forward to hearing from you.
We are launching a broad and comprehensive engagement process directly with Niagara businesses and community stakeholders. From Oct. 13 to Nov. 12, business owners and community stakeholders are encouraged to take a short online survey, with additional details available at [http://%20www.NiagaraCanada.com] www.NiagaraCanada.com.
Take the survey now to provide us with your feedback on Niagara’s greatest economic strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, as well as ideas on economic growth priorities.
In addition to the online survey, we want to consult with businesses and community stakeholders through direct one-on-one interviews and a series of digital workshops. This consultation will result in a dynamic vision for Niagara’s economic prosperity and 10 year economic development strategy. Pre-register for a workshop now.
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Short-term rentals will be regulated in Welland in 2022
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2021
Welland, ON – Short-term rentals in the City of Welland will be regulated and licensed in early 2022.
A short-term rental is defined as a dwelling unit rented for 28 consecutive days or less but does not include a bed and breakfast, hotel/motel, or boarding or lodging house.
On November 2, Welland Council approved an amendment to the Zoning By-law permitting short-term rental accommodations as a secondary use in residential, agricultural, and institutional zones and the principle use of dwellings in commercial zones that allow residential uses. The City does not currently permit short-term rentals; however, bed and breakfasts and accessory apartments are.
“We know that short-term rentals already exist in the City,” said CAO Steve Zorbas. “What we’re able to do now is regulate them and ensure that anyone who operates a short-term rental understands that they have a responsibility to ensure there are no negative impacts on those living next door.”
The amendment proposes that a short-term rental:
- Not contain more than three guest bedrooms
- Be subject to licensing in accordance with the City’s Short-Term Rentals Licensing By-law
- May be the principal use of an accessory dwelling unit in Residential, Institutional, Open Space, and Agricultural Zones where residential uses are permitted, but only if the operator is residing on the premises
- Not display external advertising on the site
- Require 0.5 additional parking spaces per guest room (may be a tandem parking space)
A Licensing By-law was also adopted to manage short-term rentals, which requires application requirements such as proof of an insurance certificate, site plan, floor plan, parking management plan, fire safety protocols, and electrical safety inspections. The licensing fee is set at $1,029.50, with a yearly renewal fee of $75.
The By-law Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing the regulations within the Short-Term Rental Licencing By-law and will alter hours to provide effective enforcement. The Short-Term Rental Licencing By-law will be enforced through two mechanisms: Administrative Penalty System (APS) and a demerit point system. As well, an Officer will have the ability to suspend or revoke a license. Licensing will ensure all short-term rentals within the City operate under applicable law.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
Corporate Communications Manager
905-735-1700 x2337
znep.znpqbanyq@jryynaq.pn
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| Governmental Financial Support and Resources
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- COVID-19 and Workplace Safety – Providing financial support to help farmers and agri-food workplaces manage and identify transmission risks to protect their workforces from COVID-19.
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Government of Ontario announces minimum wage hike
The Government of Ontario today announced that they intended to introduce legislation that, from January 1st, 2022, would raise the Ontario minimum wage to $15/hr, including liquor server minimum wage. This would affect an estimated 763,500 workers in Ontario, 37% of whom work in retail and 24% in accommodation and food services. The government’s media release did not mention any consultations with either businesses or economic experts in the creation of this policy.
Click here to read the GNCC’s reaction.
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Welland Transit offering new reduced fare initiative for low-income riders starting Jan. 1, 2022
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2021
Welland, ON – As the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to reveal, the City has identified one area it can make an immediate impact for low-income customers: Transit.
Welland Transit has identified a need within its fare structure to assist a demographic of riders to make transit more accessible. As a result, it has initiated a reduced fare structure for qualified low-income passengers beginning January 1, 2022.
“We try to provide great service for all riders of Welland Transit,” said Ed Zahra, transit manager. “We also try to provide compassionate service, and in this case, it’s recognizing the population of riders who would benefit from service at a reduced rate.”
Qualified customers are those actively registered with the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Privacy and confidentiality of the qualified individuals remain protected by the ongoing partnership with the Hope Centre, which will sell and disseminate the passes accordingly. The issued passes will be coded from the provider with the applied discount; however, the pass will not differ in appearance from a regularly priced pass. The current price for an adult 31-day municipal pass is $85. The price for the reduced pass would be $50.
Welland Transit implemented the swipe card pass, January 2019. As such, we wish to communicate to our passengers that previously issued punch-style passes will no longer be accepted beyond December 31, 2021.
Transit remains an essential service, and the City of Welland commits to making it accessible for everyone.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
Corporate Communications Manager
905-735-1700 x2337
znep.znpqbanyq@jryynaq.pn
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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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