April 24 Newsletter 2020

Small Business Roundtable Next Week 

I will be holding a Small Business Roundtable on Wednesday, April 29 at 1 pm via Facebook Live (http://www.facebook.com/rawlsonking).  

The virtual townhall meeting will feature Michael Wood, an Ottawa entrepreneur who has been creating connection between small businesses and government to support and uplift them through the COVID-19 crisis. 

The townhall will seek information from business community stakeholders: 

• on the challenges they perceive or experience as local business persons; 
• help determine implications for a better economic climate across the City; 
• and gather practical ideas that can be implemented to help businesses during & after the crisis. 

Please participate in the roundtable and take our quick survey: 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=PQPM34ffbkyhuI6qc_G3LiO7CpVcIc5JiYRos3U5KklUQTc1R0hNS1lDMTdHRklYWTc5RTRCUEhFTy4u&fbclid=IwAR3ZTqTGh_CTCnPNw_-9Nn-1EfUTnv0IdNSn0TXb98lpfxUQGGxbTF442sA  

Support for students! 

CANADA EMERGENCY STUDENT BENEFIT (CESB) 

We know that many young Canadians were counting on summer jobs or new careers to make ends meet. 

That’s why yesterday, the Prime Minister announced the creation of the new Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), for students who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The CESB will provide up to $1,250 for students per month from May through to August, and $1,750 for students with dependents or permanent disabilities. 

Through the CESB, and other supports, we’re going to do whatever it takes to help get all Canadians through these challenging times. 

MORE STUDENT FINANCIAL AID 

No young Canadian should have to choose between doing their part in the fight against COVID-19 and their education. In order to ensure that post-secondary students can continue with their studies in the fall, we’re proposing new and significant measures to help with the cost of education, including: 

• doubling the Canada Students Grants Program 
• broadening the eligibility for Student Financial Assistance 

• enhancing the Canada Student Loans Program 
• increasing support for Indigenous Post-Secondary Education, and 
• extending expiring federal graduate research scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships as well as federal research grants. 

CANADA STUDENT SERVICE GRANT (CSSG) 

Young Canadians will play a central role in ensuring that Canada emerges from COVID-19 stronger than ever. We’re going to help young people gain valuable work experience in their communities – even in the face of COVID-19 – by introducing the new Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG). 

This grant will provide up to $5,000 for a student’s education in the fall, for students who work in national service positions through organizations within their community. Through the CSSG, our Government will help students develop their skills and give back to their communities during these challenging times. 

Support for businesses who don’t qualify for other measures  

Through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, we are providing immediate help to businesses in need through programs such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Business Account. However, it has become clear that certain sectors of our economy, and their workers, may not qualify for existing measures. That’s why we are taking additional action to provide immediate relief to: 

• Innovators and young entrepreneurs; 
• Businesses in rural communities; 
• Businesses not eligible for other emergency support measures; 
• Organizations in the cultural, heritage, and sports sector. 

We will continue to ensure that workers in every sector are protected, and that families have the help they need to put food on the table and pay the bills. 

Human Needs Task Force Update 

Overview 

• On April 9, the City received $6.6 million of a $13.3 million commitment from the provincial Social Services Relief Fund. Adding this to the $4.8 million from the federal Reaching Home program brings the total funding immediately available to allocate towards the City’s social services COVID-19 response to $11.4 million. This funding is to be allocated to housing and homelessness supports and community agencies delivering front-line services. 

• Families and individuals experiencing homelessness or living in shelters are seeing enhanced physical distancing capacity improving, new isolation centres in operation, and enhanced washroom availability. 
• The city is continuing to provide ongoing support to the community in areas such as food security and wellness phone calls and mail-outs for isolated and vulnerable residents. 
• Emergency Child Care is currently being provided at three municipal child care centres for 33 children of eligible essential workers, with a further 50 eligible children on the waitlist. 

COVID-19 Emergency funding received from federal and provincial governments total $11.4 million of $13.3 committed, City allocating $8.4 million immediately for support for homeless 

• City announced the allocation priorities and process for the $11.4 million received from the Federal and Provincial government to address COVID-19 (a summary funding table can be found below). 

• $8.4 million will be allocated immediately to strengthen our response to the homelessness community, including: 

• Emergency sheltering in need; 
• COVID-19 Isolation Centres and hotel rooms for self-isolation; 
• Physical distancing centres and hotels for individuals and families experiencing homelessness; and 
• Housing and homelessness outreach, basic needs and day programs. 

• $3 million in funding will be allocated to non-profit community organizations through an application process. 

• Human Needs Task Force is inviting applications from established, local non- profit agencies that provide “essential services and supports” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to address persistent and immediate needs in the following areas: 

• Homelessness service providers and Residential Services Homes; 
• Agencies providing “essential services and supports” for “at-risk residents and equity-seeking communities” with a focus on Indigenous communities and women, who are among the most negatively affected by the current social isolation requirements. 

• Deadline for submissions is April 27 with funding to be distributed starting early May. 

Montreal Road 

Beginning Monday, April 27, there will be lane reductions at the intersection of Montreal Road and Vanier Parkway for watermain work as part of the Montreal Road Revitalization project. The reductions will be in effect until Friday, May 15. In addition, there will be intermittent lane reductions along Montreal Road, between North River Road and Marier Avenue for the next week. 

Trail Waste Facility reopening on Thursday, April 23 

The Trail Waste Facility will reopen to the public on Thursday, April 23.  

The facility will be open Monday to Friday from 7 am to 6 pm. It will also be open on Saturday, April 25 from 7 am to 6 pm, but will be closed on future Saturdays.  

To support physical distancing between customers and City staff, there are additional safety measures in place at the facility, including an intercom system, an outdoor payment terminal and signs about physical distancing. 

Please sort materials before bringing them to the facility, as sorting is not permitted on-site due to COVID-19 restrictions. If your load is not sorted, like if you have leaf and yard waste, recycling and garbage in one vehicle, it will be considered a mixed load. The rate for mixed loads is $228 per tonne, with a minimum rate of $22.80 for loads less than 100 kilograms. 

Rates and payment methods are listed on the City’s website. 

Property maintenance services permitted to operate as of May 1 

Property maintenance and landscaping activities which address potential health, safety and sanitation issues will be deemed essential and therefore permitted, effective May 1. This is to ensure properties remain safe and that property standards are met during the growing season. 

Businesses providing these services for the operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties and buildings have thus far been permitted to operate on a limited, emergency basis only, in accordance with the provincial regulations in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Landscaping and lawn care businesses that are providing services strictly for safety, security or sanitation purposes will be allowed as of May 1. These services include lawn cutting, dethatching, rolling, clearing yard and garden debris and aeration.  

In accordance with provincial regulations, all other activities, such as landscaping projects commissioned for aesthetic reasons only, or that involve interlock, fences, decks, etc. will not be permitted until further notice from the Province. 

Landscaping businesses and individual operations should ensure that they and their staff continue to follow the health precautions recommended by Ottawa Public Health: 

• Stay home if sick  
• Continue to practice physical distancing - stay two metres apart 
• No more than five workers should attend the work site 
• Wash hands with soap and water frequently (for at least 20 seconds) 
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces frequently 
• Workers who have travelled outside of Canada, or have symptoms, must self-isolate in accordance with public health requirements  
• Workers are encouraged to wear non-medical masks