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News, updates, and so much more…
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Ontario Updating AstraZeneca Second Dose Guidance
Effective June 4, 2021 and in alignment with NACI’s recommendation, Ontarians who have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can choose to either receive a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, or an mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine for their second dose.
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Ontario accelerating second-shot rollout
Ontario is preparing to roll out the eligibility for accelerated second dose appointments starting with individuals aged 80 and over, beginning on May 31, 2021. If there is sufficient vaccine supply, it is anticipated that the majority of Ontario residents who choose to receive the vaccine will be able to be fully vaccinated by the end of summer.
The following is an anticipated schedule for eligibility to book a second dose appointment based on confirmed supply.
- Week of May 31: individuals aged 80+
- Week of June 14: individuals aged 70+
- Week of June 28: individuals who received their first dose between the week of March 8 to April 18, on a “first-in, first-out” basis. For example, this included individuals with the highest-risk health conditions and special education workers.
- Week of July 19: individuals who received their first dose between the week of April 19 to May 9, on a “first-in, first-out” basis. For example, this included individuals aged 50 and over, as well as individuals with high-risk health conditions.
- Week of August 2: individuals who received their first dose between the week of May 10 to May 30, on a “first-in, first-out” basis. For example, this included individuals who cannot work from home and individuals who have at-risk health conditions.
- Week of August 9 to 16: individuals aged 12 to 25
- Week of August 9: individuals who received their first dose from the week of May 31 onwards on a “first-in, first out” basis, respecting the recommended intervals.
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| SENIORS’ MONTH: STAY SAFE, ACTIVE AND CONNECTED |
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Welland, ON – Welland City Council and City Staff are wishing Niagara’s older adults a safe and healthy Seniors’ Month. This year’s theme is Stay Safe, Active & Connected. Seniors are encouraged to explore ways of staying connected to their families, friends, and communities. Now, more than ever, Niagara’s seniors need to be celebrated and encouraged to remain emotionally connected while practicing physical distancing.
Seniors’ Month is a time to celebrate Niagara’s older generation and pay tribute to the benefits they bring to others, in addition to the outstanding contributions they make to enrich communities. Welland’s older residents are active committee members, vibrant volunteers, and leaders who offer wisdom and experience for better community development.
The Welland Seniors Citizens Advisory Committee (SCAC) launched Seniors’ Month by raising Age-Friendly flags this morning at Welland Civic Square and the Welland Community Wellness Complex.
Carol Sernasie, Chair, Welland Senior Citizens Advisory Committee stated, “It’s a time when we recognize our amazing adults and the contribution they’ve made to our community. Covid-19 has changed our lives and because of it this will not be a normal celebration of Senior Citizens Month, however it is important for seniors to stay safe, remain active and stay as connected with family and friends as is possible.”
Throughout June, there are scheduled activities such as Wellness Walks, Tai Chi Tuesdays at Chippawa Park and Senior Centre Without Walls programs that are phone-based. All activities are accessible for seniors to connect and participate in, all of which value the safe and active mandate. Social distancing, mask requirements, and all COVID19 guidelines are to be adhered to.
All content related to Ontario Seniors Month is posted at www.Ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth
For details on Senior Centre Without Walls programs, visit https://wellness.welland.ca/seniorsWOW.asp or call us at 905.735.1700 x 4000 |
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Ontario maintains COVID-19 restrictions as Stay-at-Home Order is set to expire
Ontario’s Stay-at-Home order will expire on June 2, 2021.
The Stay-At-Home order required Ontarians to remain at home except for the purposes set out in the order, such as exercise, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, or accessing health care services. Once the Stay-at-Home order expires on June 2, these restrictions will no longer be in effect.
However, all other existing measures will remain in place provincewide, including restrictions on gatherings, businesses, services and activities. This includes limiting indoor gatherings to households only and outdoor gatherings to up to five people, subject to limited exceptions, maintaining a cap of 25 per cent capacity for essential retail where only certain goods are permitted to be sold, restricting non-essential retail to curbside pickup and delivery only, as well as limiting short-term rentals to individuals in need of housing and allowing Ontario Parks and campgrounds on public lands to be used for day-use only, subject to limited exceptions.
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Niagara Health shows excellence in Laboratory Medicine with Accreditation in Diagnostics
Niagara Health’s Laboratory Medicine Program (LMP) has received the highest accreditation award by Accreditation Canada Diagnostics for all five lab sites for the second time in a row.
Accreditation is a mark of excellence acknowledged around the world.
A wide variety of laboratory services exist at Niagara Health including hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry, surgical pathology, cytology, autopsy service and transfusion medicine. This past year, the team also processed over 10,000 COVID-19 tests to support the COVID-19 response in the region.
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Niagara Medical Officer of Health offers new COVID-19 briefing
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| WELLAND GOOSE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM |
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Welland, ON – The City of Welland is working with Municipal Wildlife Services to control the growing number of geese along the Welland Recreation Corridor (WRC).
Canada goose populations across Ontario have been on the rise since the mid 1990’s. The City of Welland has initiated an integrated, humane and professional program to maintain a healthy balance between geese and people along our WRC. This program involves a number of management techniques implemented on an ongoing basis to maintain healthy environments in our outdoor recreational settings.
The City is working to improve public enjoyment of our parks, water quality and our waterfront parks. All members of the community can help with the Goose Management Program by not feeding birds, ducks, geese, gulls or swans. Here’s why:
· Bird feces can be a potential health hazard and contain bacteria hazardous to humans.
· Feeding can attract many birds, resulting in large unnatural amounts of birds congregating in an area, where droppings accumulate in the grass, sand and water. Birds will also consume their own feces making them ill.
· Birds that are fed food scraps can become ill and these scraps will attract vermin such as rats and mice.
· Birds that eat food scraps do not get all the nutrients found in their natural diet. As a result, they may be less healthy and become dependent on people.
· Most birds fly south in the winter to find other sources of food. Feeding birds may encourage them to stay here longer and rely on human food to survive and disrupt their natural migration and transient process.
The City currently undertakes a number of federally-approved goose management methods, including:
• Dog patrol
o These dogs are exempt from the Animal Control by-law as services are contracted with the City.
• Avian dissuader laser light
• Avian distress call
• Shoreline park patrols
• Pyrotechnics
• Egg and nest depredation
• Relocation services
Frequently Asked Questions about a Goose Management Program:
1. Are any geese harmed during the City’s Goose Management Program?
a. No geese are harmed by the City’s program. Trained and qualified staff under authorization of a Canadian Wildlife Service Permit use humane methods to move geese off the waterfront parks and into more natural environments without harming the geese or goslings.
2. Is this a one-time program, or does it continue?
a. In 2019, the City adopted a Goose Management Program which is contracted through a licensed Municipal Wildlife Management Professional and permitted by the Canadian Wildlife Service (Federal Government). This ongoing program will continue to reduce the resident goose population which will improve the use and enjoyment of parkland on the waterfront park spaces.
3. How often are the control services completed?
a. The program is designed to effectively reduce the number of resident Canada geese on designated sites, within the City’s budget parameters. Services are conducted under the professional advice of the contractor operating within the budget, to maintain pre-determined objectives. Daytime (daylight) and evening (twilight) services are conducted using various tools and techniques to meet the program goals and objectives. |
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Applications for Francophone Community Grants Program to open May 27th
The Ontario government announced the application period for the 2021-2022 edition of the Francophone Community Grants Program in support of community organizations, social enterprises and businesses that contribute significantly to the vitality of Ontario’s Francophone community. Applications must be submitted through the Transfer Payment Ontario portal. Applications are open from May 27 to July 15, 2021 and projects must be implemented between Sept 24, 2021 and March 31, 2022. Not-for profit organizations and businesses that serve or target Francophone communities in the province are eligible.
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| ACCESSING INFORMATION ON VACCINE SAFETY |
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Welland, ON – We all play a role in protecting each other and our community. As COVID-19 vaccinations are becoming more readily available to the public, people are searching for information to help them make an informed decision about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines. With the abundance of information available on the internet and social media, it may become unclear what is fact and what is fiction.
Vaccines that are available in Canada are safe and effective as they reduce the risk of infection and death from COVID-19. Niagara Region Public Health provides trustworthy resources about COVID-19 vaccines to the public in clear language with science-based facts and shares updates as new information emerges.
Vaccine information can be accessed as follows:
· Call Niagara Region Public Health’s Covid-Info Line at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074, press 7, visit https://niagararegion.ca/health/covid-19/vaccination/default.aspx?shorturl=1, or Chat online or follow them on Facebook or Twitter
· Call the Provincial Vaccine Info Line at 1-888-999-6488 (TTY 1-866-797-0007)
· Visit Ontario’s vaccine safety page at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccine-safety
· Visit Health Canada’s website for facts about COVID-19 vaccines at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/awareness-resources/know-vaccine.html
· Read advice about vaccines from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization in Canada at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/national-advisory-committee-on-immunization-naci.html
· Speak to your health care provider
In addition to getting vaccinated, practicing physical distancing, wearing a mask, and handwashing are essential for you and your loved ones to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Learn about the Roadmap to Reopen, the province’s three-step plan to safely and gradually lift public health measures based on ongoing progress of provincewide vaccination rates and improvements of key public health and health care indicators. https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario |
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| WELLAND PARTICIPATES IN ONTARIO’S RECREATION MONTH |
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Welland, ON – June is Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM) a movement that promotes the benefits of recreation and parks for physical, social, and environmental health. Communities across Ontario, such as Welland, have embraced JRPM as a way to promote local programs and events, parks and facilities that are available for all citizens to enjoy.
The City of Welland Recreation & Culture Division would like to highlight various recreational opportunities residents can access to ensure they are staying active and engaged. In light of COVID-19, this year’s programming is safe and welcoming. We encourage you to participate as much as you can.
Details on The Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt or Goosechase game can be found by visiting https://wellness.welland.ca/virtualPrograms.asp. Tik Tok Challenge will be posted on social media for you to enjoy, laugh, and create your own fun! |
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Access to recreation and parks is a fundamental human need that helps foster personal health, strong communities, and social inclusion. JRPM celebrates Ontario’s spectacular parks and recreation services and raises awareness for the role they play as a pathway to individual, community, and environmental well-being.
Active Living is healthy living! Enjoy and stay safe Welland! |
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The Niagara Chamber Partnership [NCP] is proud to bring you five moderated conversations highlighting different sectors in the region. We’ll be discussing what these specific industries have experienced throughout the past year, and their plans moving forward.
The series kicks off with an update from our Regional Chair, Jim Bradley.
Join us June 1, 2021 for our first session on the Agriculture and Winery industries. Our speakers include: Kevin Reles, CERES Global; Andrew Niven, Konzelmann; John Nadeau, Domaine Queylus; and Michelle Seaborn, Silmaril Farms.
Upcoming Industries Include:
Tourism
Construction
Manufacturing
Not-For-Profits
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Canada Child Benefit claimants to receive additional funding for young children
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that families entitled to the CCB will receive additional support of up to $1,200 for each child under the age of six. Families with a net income of $120,000 or less will receive up to four tax-free payments of $300. Families with a net income above $120,000 will receive up to four tax-free payments of $150, for a total benefit of up to $600.
The first and second payments will be issued today, with subsequent payments on July 30 and October 29, 2021.
To ensure that more money goes to the families that need it the most, families with net incomes that are too high to be entitled to the CCB will not receive these additional payments.
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| MOVING WELLAND PAST COVID-19 – MASK AND HAND SANITIZER GIVEAWAY |
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| Welland, ON – Welland Transit, Public Works and Recreation & Culture staff are teaming up at the Welland Farmers’ Market every Saturday to help Move Welland Past COVID-19. |
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Starting June 5 and every Saturday thereafter (while supplies last) individuals and families can visit the WellTrans Bus parked in front of Welland Farmers’ Market to receive free child and adult masks along with a bottle of hand sanitizer in various sizes.
We ask that all visitors to the Welland Farmers’ Market practice physical distancing and keep two metres (six feet) away from people who are not from the same household. Hours have been extended to accommodate need and the Welland Farmers’ Market will be open at 7AM starting this Saturday.
For more information on Welland Farmers’ Market, please visit www.welland.ca/Market/index.asp. For immediate alerts, follow Recreation & Culture on Facebook and Instagram. |
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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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