Information about COVID-19

Posted by 17sc on March 16, 2020

As our country and our community navigate these difficult times, Anita's office will continue to provide information and necessary supports and services to residents. As a precautionary step to preserve the health of our constituents, staff, and neighbours, until further notice, our office will be handling all inquiries and intakes by telephone and/or email only. 

Please see below for the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic, including public health resources and government initiatives. 

For an up-to-date list of supports that you, your family, your business, or your community can access, please see the Federal Government Economic Response Plan.

Public Health Information

Preventative Measures

  • Practice physical distancing at all times.
  • Wear a mask in public indoor settings and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained. 
  • Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. If none is available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • To protect others, you should also stay at home if you are ill.
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces commonly used.
  • If you are feeling unwell (fever, dry cough, etc.) stay home.
    • Reach out to:
      • The Government of Canada COVID-19 hotline: 1-833-784-4397
      • Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000
      • Your personal health care professional
      • In a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.

Support for Workers

  • Canada Recovery Benefit: The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. If you are eligible for the CRB, you can receive $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period. If your situation continues past 2 weeks, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 13 eligibility periods (26 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit: The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they're sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19. If you're eligible for the CRCB, your household can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period.

  • Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit: The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they're sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19. If you're eligible for the CRSB, you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a 1-week period.

  • EI Sickness Benefits: The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined, so they can be paid for the first week of their claim. The requirement to provide a medical certificate will also be waived.

  • EI Work Sharing Program: We are Implementing the EI Work Sharing Program, which provides EI benefits to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hour as a result of developments beyond the control of their employers, by extending the eligibility of such agreements to 76 weeks, easing eligibility requirements, and streamlining the application process.

Support for Seniors

  • Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement Top-Up: We will be providing additional financial support of $2.5 billion for a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). This measure would give a total of $500 to individuals who are eligible to receive both the OAS and the GIS, and will help them cover increased costs caused by COVID-19. It will be distributed to eligible seniors during the week of July 6th.
  • Registered Retirement Income Funds: We are reducing the minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25% for 2020 in recognition of volatile market conditions and their impact on many seniors’ retirement savings. This will provide flexibility to seniors that are concerned that they may be required to liquidate their RRIF assets to meet minimum withdrawal requirements. Similar rules would apply to individuals receiving variable benefit payments under a defined contribution Registered Pension Plan.
  • New Horizons for Seniors Program:  We will be expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program with an additional investment of $20 million to support organizations that offer community-based projects that reduce isolation, improve the quality of life of seniors, and help them maintain a social support network. These services could include the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals’ needs and connect them to community supports.
  • GST Credit Top-Up: For low and modest income seniors we are providing a supplementary payment under the GST Credit of close to $400 per adult and $600 per couple.

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