Fighting COVID-19

Steven and our Liberal Caucus team have been working hard to advise the Provincial government on how to keep Ontarians healthy and safe.

The table below shows what actions we’ve recommended the Government take, and how the Government has responded:

Government Action

The provincial and federal governments have taken a number of actions to fight the health and economic impacts of the crisis:

Provincial Government

The Provincial Government has taken the following actions to address the coronavirus outbreak:

  • Declared a state of emergency
  • Invested new money to connect workers with jobs in the agri-food sector to keep our store shelves stocked during the pandemic
  • Expanded the eligibility of essential workers eligible for emergency child care
  • Increased protection for long-term care residents
  • Expanded hospital capacity across the province in case the outbreak worsens
  • Closed the following establishments until further notice:
    • all bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout and food delivery
    • all facilities providing indoor recreational programs
    • all public libraries
    • all private schools
    • all licensed child care centres
    • all movie cinemas
    • all theatres, including those offering live performances of music, dance and other art forms
    • all concert venues
    • communal or shared, public or private, outdoor recreational amenities including but not limited to: playgrounds, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, benches, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, outdoor community gardens, park shelters, outdoor exercise equipment, condo parks and gardens, other outdoor recreational amenities
  • Prohibited all public gatherings of more than 5 people, including parades, weddings, social gatherings, events and communal services within places of worship.
  • Invested an additional $7 billion to enhance the province’s response to COVID-19, including $1.5 billion in electricity cost relief, $341 million for hospital capacity to increase testing and treatment, six months of relief on OSAP payments, $200 million for those in financial need, and $75 million for low-income seniors.

For more details on Ontario’s economic response to COVID-19, click here.

For the latest information on COVID-19 in Ontario, click here.

Federal Government

The federal government has taken the following actions to address the impacts of COVID-19:

  • Advised Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice, and for all Canadians abroad to return home
  • Closed the Canada-U.S. border to all non-essential traffic as of March 21
  • Banned foreign nationals from all countries except the United States from entering Canada until further notice
  • Required all travelers entering Canada to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival
  • Unveiled a $105 billion economic response plan, including:
    • Temporary income support for workers and parents;
    • Longer-term income support for workers;
    • Income support for individuals who need it most;
    • Offering more flexibility for taxpayers by extending the tax filing and payment deadlines;
    • Introducing more mortgage default management tools;
    • Supporting Canadian business through the Canada Account;
    • Providing a wage subsidy to help businesses keep their workers;
    • Offering more flexibility for businesses to file their taxes;
    • Ensuring businesses have access to credit; and
    • Supporting financial market liquidity.

To apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, click here.

For more details on Canada’s response to COVID-19, click here.

How you can help

First and foremost: please stay home if you can. Social distancing is the number one way you can help Ontario fight COVID-19.

Here are some organizations that are helping to fight the crisis that could use your help, and some information on how you can help them:

Feed Ontario – Ontario’s food banks

Food banks are continuing to adapt their services to the changing needs of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including providing additional food to clients. However, they are depleting resources much quicker than they are receiving them and need your help to continue playing this essential role in their communities across Ontario.

Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services says it’s concerned by a recent spike in appointment cancellations in several cities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s asking donors, who are healthy, to keep their appointments to prevent shortages.

Canadian Red Cross

The Canadian Red Cross in Ontario offers an extensive network of programs and services that actively reach out and serve local communities throughout the province.

Homeless Shelters

Below are links to homeless shelters in cities across the province who need resources and support during this crisis: