News

Stay Safe and Follow Public Health Advice This Halloween

TORONTO — Today, Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued the following statement detailing public health advice for Halloween this year:

"As Ontarians begin to prepare for Halloween this year, I'd like to remind everyone to take extra precautions to ensure you are keeping yourself and your families safe.

Given the high transmission of COVID-19 in the modified Stage 2 public health unit regions of Ottawa, Peel, Toronto and York Region, traditional door-to-door trick or treating is not recommended and people should consider alternative ways to celebrate. This can include, but is not limited to:

  • Encouraging kids to dress up and participate in virtual activities and parties;
  • Organizing a Halloween candy hunt with people living in their own household;
  • Carving pumpkins;
  • Having a movie night or sharing scary stories; and
  • Decorating front lawns.

It is recommended that you also check with your local municipality or public health unit for any additional advice or restrictions that may be in place. It is also critical that families not travel outside of their neighbourhood to celebrate Halloween.

To have a safe and happy Halloween, Ontarians should follow some simple steps:

  • Avoid gatherings with people outside of your household;
  • Stay home if you are feeling ill, even if you have mild symptoms, or if you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19;
  • If you live outside the modified Stage 2 public health unit regions and are going to go out to trick or treat:
    • Only go out with members of your household;
    • Only trick or treat outside;
    • Both trick or treaters and people handing out candy should wear a face covering. A costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering and should not be worn over a face covering as it may make it difficult to breathe;
    • Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps and remember to line up two metres apart if waiting. Avoid high-touch surfaces and objects;
    • Whether collecting or handing out treats, wash your hands often and thoroughly, or use hand sanitizer; and
    • Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for children to grab and consider using tongs or other similar tools to hand out treats.

I would also like to remind everyone that we are in a second wave of COVID-19. There have been increases in cases in many areas across the province, and the percentage of people tested who get a positive result is going up.

The severity of this second wave is in our hands. Through our collective efforts, we can change the outcome of this new outbreak. That is why it remains critical to continue following these important actions everyday in order to protect your health and stop the spread of COVID-19, including:

  • Limit trips outside of home, except for essential purposes such as work where it is not possible to work from home, school, grocery shopping, medical appointments, and outdoor healthy physical activity;
  • Stay home if you feel ill or have symptoms even if they are mild;
  • Maintain physical distancing of at least two metres with those outside your household;
  • Wear a face covering indoors in workplaces, businesses and facilities, and wear one outdoors if physical distancing cannot be maintained or if wearing one is required;
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly;
  • Follow social gathering and organized public event limits;
  • Download the COVID Alert mobile app;
  • If you are concerned you were exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms, take the online COVID-19 self-assessment; and
  • Get tested if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19, or if you have been advised of exposure by your local public health unit or through COVID Alert. Visit Ontario.ca/covidtest to find the nearest testing location."

Additional Resources

  • If you live within a public health unit region in Stage 3, consider printing one of these posters as a tool to help let your neighbours know whether you are handing out treats.
  • Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19.

October 21, 2020

Ontario Supports Small Main Street Businesses with $60 Million in Funding through PPE Grant

TORONTO — The Ontario government is continuing to help businesses rebuild, reinvest and create good jobs across the province. Today, Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, announced Ontario's Main Street Recovery Plan and intends to introduce the Main Street Recovery Act, 2020, proposed legislation that would support small businesses and modernize rules to allow them to innovate and meet the challenges of today. If passed, the act will remove hurdles faced by small businesses and allow them to pursue new opportunities — while maintaining or enhancing protections for public health, safety and the environment.

The plan includes:

  • A one-time grant of up to $1,000 for eligible main street small businesses — in retail, food and accommodations, and other service sectors — with two to nine employees to help offset the unexpected costs of personal protective equipment (PPE);
  • Ontario's Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Network, which links 47 Small Business Enterprise Centres across the province as places where small businesses can access tailored advice and information on local, provincial and federal programs;
  • Digital Main Street Squads to help small businesses grow online;
  • Mental health supports for families, frontline workers, young people, children, and Indigenous communities;
  • Ontario's Small Business Recovery Webpage to provide single window access to small business supports.

"Small businesses are the backbone of Ontario's economy, and our government will always be in their corner. Through more than 100 virtual roundtables and discussions with small business owners, their employees, local leaders and economists from all over Ontario, I've heard directly about the extraordinary sacrifices small businesses have made to keep their employees safe, their customers confident, and their communities strong," said Minister Sarkaria. "Our government is standing with main street businesses, and we remain committed to their recovery and renewed success. We are determined to support them through this pandemic and beyond."

The plan's regulatory and legislative changes, if passed, will:

  • Commit to exploring options to permanently allow licensed restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order before the existing regulation expires;
  • Permanently allow 24/7 deliveries to businesses that include retail stores, restaurants, and distribution facilities;
  • Support the distribution of local food and food products by increasing the range of products sold at the Ontario Food Terminal;
  • Enable Community Net Metering demonstration projects to help support local communities to develop innovative community projects like net-zero or community micro-grids;
  • Modernize the Assistive Devices Program;
  • Support Ontario's Taxi and Limousine Industry by increasing fines for illegal operators.

"Small business owners and entrepreneurs have overcome significant challenges and made extraordinary sacrifices to continue contributing to our communities through these unprecedented times," said Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for Digital and Data Transformation. "Providing new, easy-to-use and innovative tools, like our Small Business Recovery Webpage, will give them the information they need to reopen safely and rebuild better in one central location. It's another way we're building a smarter government." 

"Ontario's small businesses were hit hard by COVID-19, but they were the among the first to step up and demonstrate the best of the Ontario Spirit by bringing forward their innovative ideas and solutions in our time of need," said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "Building on the steps we took at the outset of the pandemic to provide urgent economic relief to struggling small businesses, Ontario's Main Street Recovery Plan will help get more and more small businesses back on their feet as we continue down the path to economic recovery together."

Quick Facts

  • The Workplace PPE Supplier Directory provides businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers.
  • Ontario is helping businesses overcome the unique challenges created by this pandemic with 50 temporary regulatory changes made to help them adapt and about 400 more roadblocks being explored.
  • The $50-million Ontario Together Fund is helping businesses retool their operations to produce PPE and develop technology-driven solutions and services for businesses to reopen safely.
  • The Ontario government reduced the small business Corporate Income Tax rate by 8.7%, starting on January 1, 2020. This will deliver up to $1,500 in annual savings to more than 275,000 businesses.
  • Ontario’s new COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act is laying the foundation to restart jobs and development, strengthen communities, and create opportunity for people in every region of the province.

Additional Resources

October 08, 2020

Ontario Investing in Hospital Upgrades and Repairs in Haliburton

Ontario Investing in Hospital Upgrades and Repairs in Haliburton

Supporting Hospital Infrastructure Projects to Ensure a Safe Environment for Patients and Front-Line Health Care Staff

NEWS                                                  

The Ontario government is investing $175 million this year to address critical upgrades, repairs and maintenance in 129 hospitals across the province, including $50 million for COVID-19 related and other urgent projects.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services will receive $22,000 for 2020 and 2021 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund. This funding will replace their X-Ray and Cafeteria Split Duct Air Conditioning units. These units are essential for the X-Ray equipment operation as well as the health and wellness of patients and staff in the cafeteria. Haliburton Highlands Health Services also received $253,000 in December through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

Maintaining hospital infrastructure is important to ensuring that residents have access to the health care services they need.  Investments and support for essential capital projects can make a big difference to our plan to build the capacity we need to end hallway health care in Ontario.

Today’s funding is in addition to another $199,000 in funding for Haliburton Highlands Health Services Corporation as part of Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 to address current and future demands for regular services.

As the government continues to work toward bringing Ontario's world class health care system into the 21st century, this funding will help hospitals address urgent issues such as upgrades or the replacement of roofs, windows, security systems, backup generators and fire alarms. These projects will also support the hospitals in their ongoing response to COVID-19.

“This additional funding will help to address the urgent HVAC upgrades needed in response to COVID-19 and will result in a safe and comfortable environment for patients receiving care, as well as patients, visitors and staff attending the hospital cafeteria,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.

“HHHS is grateful for the support of the Ministry of Health in assisting us to keep our facilities up to date; this funding will help us to support a safe and comfortable health services environment for our patients, residents, staff, and the community,” said Carolyn Plummer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Haliburton Highlands Health Services.

 

QUICK FACTS

  • Ontario is investing an additional $7.4 million to address ongoing urgent and/or emergent infrastructure renewal needs for community health service providers who met specific criteria on a priority basis, through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
  • This year Ontario has provided increases to annualized funding to mid-size hospitals.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

October 06, 2020

Ontario Investing in Hospital Upgrades and Repairs in Lindsay

Ontario Investing in Hospital Upgrades and Repairs in Lindsay

Supporting Hospital Infrastructure Projects to Ensure a Safe Environment for Patients

NEWS                                                                   

The Ontario government is investing $175 million this year to address critical upgrades, repairs and maintenance in 129 hospitals across the province, including $50 million for COVID-19 related and other urgent projects.

Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Lindsay will receive $500,000 for 2020 and 2021 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund. This funding will support their Pharmacy Clean Room Project to meet the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) standards. Ross Memorial Hospital also received funding in the amount of $210,000 in December through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

Maintaining hospital infrastructure is important to ensuring that residents have access to the health care services they need.  Investments and support for essential capital projects can make a big difference to our plan to build the capacity we need to end hallway health care in Ontario.

Today’s funding is in addition to another $3.7 million in funding for Ross Memorial Hospital as part of Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 to address current and future demands for regular services.

As the government continues to work toward bringing Ontario's world class health care system into the 21st century, this funding will help hospitals address urgent issues such as upgrades or for the replacement of roofs, windows, security systems, backup generators and fire alarms. These projects will also help to support the hospitals in their ongoing response to COVID-19.

“Having a sterile environment where pharmaceutical drugs are stored and drawn is essential to providing quality patient care. This funding will allow RMH to meet important safety standards and continue to deliver accessible and high-quality care for the patients and families in our community,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.

“This funding for our Pharmacy Clean Room project will support safe and effective medication delivery for our patients and ensure that our pharmacy program can meet required safety standards. We’re grateful for the support of the MOH on this important project,” added Kelly Isfan, Ross Memorial Hospital President and CEO

 

QUICK FACTS

  • Ontario is investing an additional $7.4 million to address ongoing urgent and/or emergent infrastructure renewal needs for community health service providers who met specific criteria on a priority basis, through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
  • This year Ontario has provided increases to annualized funding to mid-size hospitals.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

October 05, 2020

Ontario Supports Telephone-Based Social and Educational Programs for Seniors

TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing $467,500 to the Older Adult Centres' Association of Ontario (OACAO) to administer the new Seniors' Centre Without Walls Micro-Grants program and other capacity building initiatives. The funding will support a broad range of seniors' organizations and help people stay connected to their communities through telephone-based social and educational programs.

The announcement was made today by Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility.

"Our government is committed to ensuring that our seniors have the support and resources they need to maintain their health, wellbeing, and a good quality of life," said Minister Cho. "Social isolation can be particularly challenging for seniors, especially during the pandemic. Our investment will help ensure more seniors can access valuable telephone-based programs to combat social isolation and help keep them safe."

The Seniors' Centre Without Walls Micro-Grants will help organizations deliver remote teleconference programming to meet the unique needs of older adults in Indigenous and Francophone communities, as well as seniors living in rural and remote areas of the province.

Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations that serve seniors are eligible to apply for the program until September 30, 2020. Visit the OACAO's webpage to find full program guidelines and access an online application. 

"The Older Adult Centres' Association of Ontario is pleased to work with the Government of Ontario as our funding partner to offer the Seniors' Centre Without Walls Micro-Grants Program," said Sue Hesjedahl, Executive Director of the OACAO. "The health and safety of Ontario's seniors is most important during the COVID-19 pandemic, including their mental health and social connectedness. Seniors' Centre Without Walls is an accessible and inclusive telephone-based program model which reduces the negative impacts of social isolation and ensures that participants remain engaged in their communities."

This work builds on Ontario's commitment to help seniors stay independent, healthy and active within their communities. In June, the government announced an investment of up to $4 million for the Seniors Community Grant program, which provides funding for non-profit organizations, local services boards or Indigenous groups to develop programming for seniors.

Quick Facts

  • The Seniors’ Centre Without Walls model is a free interactive telephone-based group program for socially isolated seniors and people with disabilities who find it difficult to leave their homes.
  • By 2023, there will be three million Ontarians over the age of 65; this is the province’s fastest growing demographic.

Additional Resources

September 21, 2020

Investing in Training and Job Opportunities in Lindsay and Peterborough Region

Investing in Training and Job Opportunities in Lindsay and Peterborough Region

LINDSAY — Ontario is investing $225,032 to help people in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough train for good jobs in a variety of employment sectors.

“Jobs change lives,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “Improving employment services by focusing on the local needs of our community will help people upgrade important skills employers are looking for and enable them to get back into the work force in high demand sectors that will contribute to the province getting back on track. The “Filling the Gap” program will connect people to jobs and employers to people.” “VCCS Employment Services Inc. is pleased to be able to deliver programming through the Skills Catalyst Fund. Our project, Filling the Gap: Using Competency-Based Hiring and Portfolio Development to Connect Job Seekers and Employers is an integrated model which will bridge the disconnect between employers who have employment opportunities to fill and the job seekers who are looking for meaningful employment.” Brenda Roxburgh, Executive Director VCCS Employment Services Inc. A $225,032.00 investment in the program run by VCCS Employment Services Inc. to train 40 job seekers and 10 employers across a variety of local and regional industries where filling available employment opportunities has been a challenge. Participants in the program will represent those individuals who have been traditionally underrepresented in the labour market, including women, youth, persons with disabilities and newcomers/international students. In-class training will begin in October. Training includes focused competency portfolio development prior to a job placement / offer of employment by participating employers who will receive support and individualized training plan development and ongoing support.
“This community-based project will work in partnership with program stakeholders including those from Literacy and Essential Skills services, Workforce Development, and regional Employment Services service providers as well as dedicated employer partners. Through the implementation of competency-based hiring and portfolio development to highlight the skills of job seekers will enable employers to build a pipeline of talent to meet their hiring needs.” Brenda Roxburgh, Executive Director, VCCS Employment Services Inc.

“As our economy continues to reopen the need for, training and retraining is essential,” added Scott “Projects like “Filling the Gap will connect people to the jobs they need and businesses to skilled workers.”

Provincewide, the government is investing $37 million in 86 projects to help thousands of job seekers get the skills they need to become job ready. Local training is provided by university, college, community and industry organizations. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Employment and Training Services in Ontario

Open for Business

 

 

September 14, 2020

COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business & Charities

COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business & Charities

On June 1st, the Ontario government announced the $8 million 'COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business' (CEAP-SB), to provide targeted relief for small businesses and charitable organizations struggling with bill payments due to the pandemic. Click here to read the news release

Under this program, small business and registered charities may be eligible for up to $850 in support towards their electricity bill if they primarily use electricity for heating, or up to $425 otherwise. Small business and registered charities may also be eligible for up to $425 in support towards their natural gas bill.

Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock small businesses and charities can now apply for the CEAP-SB.

Click here for the Hydro One application.

Click here for the Elexicon Energy application

There is also assistance for residential customers.

The Ontario government is also offering $9 million for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) to support consumers struggling to pay their energy bills during the pandemic. CEAP will provide one-time payments to consumers to help pay down any electricity bill debt incurred over the COVID‑19 period.

Click here for the Hydro One residential application.

Click here for the Elexicon Energy residential application.

Please feel free to contact my office if you require any assistance with your applications. Thank you and stay safe!

 

Laurie Scott, MPP

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock

 

14 Lindsay Street North

Ontario, K9V 1T4

Tel. 705-324-6654

Toll Free. 1-800-424-2490

Fax. 705-324-6938

Email: laurie.scottco@pc.ola.org

September 01, 2020

COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB)

On June 1st, the Ontario government announced the $8 million 'COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business' (CEAP-SB), to provide targeted relief for small businesses and charitable organizations struggling with bill payments due to the pandemic.

We thank all the small businesses across our province who took the necessary actions to follow public health guidelines and protect the public during the state of emergency.

Small businesses and charitable organizations can apply for CEAP-SB through their local distribution company/utility starting August 31.

News Release June 1, 2020

August 28, 2020

Ontario Supporting Agricultural and Rural Fall Fairs and Exhibitions

LINDSAY — The Ontario government is expanding eligibility for agriculture societies to apply for funding to help offset the financial losses due to the cancellation of fall fairs, exhibitions and activities during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. For this year only, nearly $1 million will be made available to all qualifying agricultural and horticultural societies to help ensure operations. In previous years, organizations could only qualify for provincial funding if they operated fall fairs.

The announcement was made today by Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

"Our agricultural and horticultural organizations are part of the backbone of rural Ontario. We know that the decision to cancel their fairs and events was a difficult but important one in order to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19," said Minister Hardeman. "We are providing this funding to help continue operations and relieve some of the burden they are experiencing during this difficult time."

"Our horticultural and agricultural societies have educated and entertained us on the importance of agriculture for more than a century," said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. "This funding will help support this important sector of Ontario's economy as the province recovers from the impacts of COVID-19."

The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OASS) has reported that over 175 fall fairs and events have been cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.

"The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) is grateful for the Ontario government's support," said Vince Brennan, OAAS Manager. "This investment shows the confidence and appreciation that the Ontario government has for our over 200 Ontario Agricultural Societies, their members and volunteers and the significant contribution they make to their communities and rural life in Ontario."

"Thanks to the Ontario government for all of the support and assistance they have shown to all of the Societies/Clubs affiliated with the Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA)," said Charles Freeman, Vice President of the Ontario Horticultural Association. "Ontario's continuing support of the 27,000 plus membership across the province is appreciated by everyone involved with the OHA."

The province provides some funding to individual agricultural societies through grant payments enabled through the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act. Under the Act, Regulation 16 sets out that in the year an agricultural society is paid a grant they must hold an agricultural exhibition, such as a fall fair. The COVID-19 restrictions have prevented the events that would help to meet this criteria in 2020, with some societies at risk of closing their organizations without this support.

Quick Facts

  • The OASS is a provincial association representing over 200 agricultural societies from across the province.
  • The OHA is a volunteer charitable organization that encourages interest in gardening and related environmental issues representing over 280 horticultural societies from across the province.

Additional Resources

August 20, 2020

Ontario Takes Additional Steps to Better Protect Students and Staff

TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing more than half a billion dollars in supports to school boards to ensure schools across the province will reopen safely in September and to protect students and staff. These supports will enable school boards to provide more physical distancing in classrooms and direct funding to utilize non-school community spaces, and will allow boards to make adjustments based on their local needs.

Details on these important updates for the 2020-2021 school year were provided today by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, and Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, following extensive consultations with leading medical experts across Ontario.

"We have demonstrated throughout this outbreak that we will deliver the strongest and safest plan in Canada for Ontario students, with a recognition that we will continuously strengthen it over time," said Minister Lecce. "This investment and access to reserves will enable more social distancing and improve air quality, and ultimately strengthen the layers of protection to keep students and staff safe." 

Ontario is building on its plan and taking additional steps to ensure a safe return to schools in September, based on the best medical advice available. The government is allowing boards to make necessary adaptations, in consultation with their local public health unit. Adaptations could include smaller class sizes and leasing additional space. Additional measures include:

 

  • Unlocking access to reserves up to $496 million, an increase of $244 million, by allowing boards to access up to 2 per cent of their operating budget from their prior year accumulated surplus. This funding can be applied to local priorities of each board, based on the immediate needs on the ground to prepare for the start of school. For boards that do not have sufficient reserves, the government will provide up to an additional $11 million in funding to support equitable school re-opening plans provincewide.
  • Providing a record-setting $50 million in one-time funding to support improved ventilation, air quality and HVAC system effectiveness in schools. School boards will continue to maximize their use of existing school renewal funding, which totals over $1.4 billion this school year. Boards will focus on improving air systems in older schools, portables, and in neighbourhoods with higher rates of community transmission.

 

The government is also releasing a Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM)  that ensures students receive a high quality and consistent teacher-led remote learning experience. This directive will significantly strengthen minimum expectations, as well as provide a consistent approach across the province to ensure students are fully engaged in their learning, and have a predictable timetable for synchronous, live learning. It will include ministry-set requirements on the minimum time for synchronous learning by grade, protocols for communicating with parents and students and access to technology. The directive also outlines effective practices, such as training and technical support, which will enhance the implementation of synchronous instruction for students and staff.

In addition, the government is ensuring accountability for parents and an improved remote learning experience by investing $18 million to help school boards hire principal and administrative support to better deliver and oversee synchronous, live learning. Students will continue to have several opportunities throughout the school year to re-enter classroom learning, and boards need to provide at least one re-entry point in the fall.

"We are taking action to ensure live, synchronous learning is improved, providing parents with consistency and a timetable to mirror the in-class experience," said Minister Lecce. "In order for remote learning to be successful, we are urging unions to embrace this form of learning that parents expect and students deserve."

The ministry will continue working closely with public health and school boards to monitor and report on the health status of school communities as part of the government's outbreak management plan.

Quick Facts

  • On July 30, 2020 the government released the Guide to Reopening Ontario’s Schools, which was developed in consultation with leading medical experts and approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. This plan committed over $300 million in funding to support a safe reopening of Ontario’s schools, which is part of the evolving layers of prevention the government is providing to students, parents, staff, and the communities they live and work in. The provincial guidelines provide a baseline and school boards are encouraged to adapt them to meet local needs and support students and families. They include:
    • In-person classes for elementary school students five days per week for the 2020-2021 school year
    • Masking for students in Grades 4-12
    • Focus on cohorting and limiting student contacts
    • Adapted secondary school delivery for designated boards
  • The Ministry of Education is working in partnership with school boards to deliver access to the fast, reliable and secure broadband internet connectivity needed to support modernized, digital learning in school. All secondary schools are on target to have access by September 2020, and elementary schools by September 2021. As of June 30, 2020, broadband modernization has been completed at 2,252 schools, including 755 rural schools and 461 northern schools. Work is currently in progress at 2,685 schools, including 338 rural schools and 40 northern schools.
  • On June 19, 2020, the government released a provincial reopening guidance plan to school boards and asked school boards to prepare their own restart plans for the upcoming school year, which were presented to the Ministry of Education.
  • In the 2020-2021 school year, the government is investing approximately $1.4 billion for school renewal needs, which meets the standards outlined by the Auditor General of Ontario.
  • The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) will supply key personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies to schools. Supplies needed for September are ready to be delivered to schools by mid-August.
  • Prior to school starting, School Mental Health Ontario will provide school boards with a professional learning framework and toolkit to support the mental health of all students that can be tailored at the board and school level for different audiences. The professional learning will have a strong focus on building students' social-emotional learning skills so that they can build resilience, manage their stress and build positive relationships.
  • On March 20, 2020, the Ministry of Education unveiled the Learn at Home / Apprendre à la maison portal, which provides online resources for families and students.
  • Parents and guardians have until August 31, 2020 to apply for Support for Families. Under this program, parents or guardians of children between 0-12 years old, or up to 21 years old for children and youth with special needs, are eligible for a one-time payment, per child, to purchase educational materials to support learning at home.

Additional Resources

August 14, 2020