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Dear community members,

On Saturday, April 11th, I had a chance to sit down for a virtual conversation with TCCC president Tsering Wangyal la to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on our community.

Please find below the resources I mentioned.

COVID-19 Resource List 

 

Self-assessment Tool

  • If you think you have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, please use this self-assessment to help determine how to seek further care. You can access the self-assessment tool here.
  • Severe symptoms: If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, call 911 immediately. Advise them of your symptoms and travel history.
  • If you don’t have a computer and internet access at home and you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
  • Please note this information is not intended to provide medical advice. If you have medical questions, consult a health practitioner.

 

Mental Health Support

  • For your mental well-being, call the Mental Health Helpline at 1-866-531-2600 or for more support, visit here.

 

Worker Support

  • To find out if you are entitled to the protected unpaid leave due to COVID-19, you can call the Employment Standards Information Centre at 416 326-7160 or 1-800-531-5551.
  • If you are unsure whether you are covered under the Employment Standards Act, or have questions about your rights as a worker, please contact Parkdale Community Legal Services at 416-531-2411 or info@parkdalelegal.org

 

No Evictions Allowed

  • No evictions should occur for rent payment delays during this pandemic.
  • If you get an eviction notice, do NOT leave your home. Please contact my office immediately here.

 

Support for Families Initiative

  • The province will be providing a one-time financial assistance during school and child care closures.
  • The new Support for Families initiative offers a one-time payment of $200 per child 0 to 12 years of age, and $250 for those 0 to 21 years of age with special needs.
  • Families can complete an online application to access this financial support.

 

Childcare for Health Care and Frontline Staff

  • Select emergency childcare centres are now open for health care and frontline workers to send their children to while they are at work. You can find the list of emergency childcare centres free and open 24hrs here.
  • Find out if you are eligible to send your child to emergency childcare here.

 

Education and Online Learning

 

  • Learn at Home is updated on a regular basis to provide new and compelling content throughout this period. Recent updates include supplemental STEM learning resources created by third-parties and a parent resource that is focused on reading and writing.
  • TVO Kids offers educational programming throughout the day for school-aged children.
  • TFO also offers a range of educational programming in French throughout the day for school-aged children.
  • Mathify provides real-time homework help led by OCT certified educators for students between Grades 6-10, six days a week, including weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Eurêka! provides online learning support in French to students in Grades 1-12 with their school work and learning.
  • TDSB has created a form for those who need access to a device such as a desktop, laptop, tablet or IPad with internet.

 

Hydro

  • The Ontario Energy Board has suspended time-of-use pricing and use off-peak electricity rates for the next six weeks, which will help save money. Small businesses are also eligible for reduced rates.
  • There is a ban on disconnecting energy services for non-payment of bills for low-volume, small business customers until July 31, 2020.

 

Small Businesses Support

  • Tax deferrals for provincially administered taxes such as Employer Health Tax (EHT), Fuel Tax, Beer Tax etc. until August 31st, 2020 with no interest or penalty.
  • WSIB premium deferrals for 6 months, with no interest or penalty.
  • Business education property tax deferral for one payment quarter (90 days after June).
  • Property tax reassessments being conducted this year for 2021 tax year have been postponed.
  • For the full statement, please check the government website here.
  • For the latest updates for Parkdale restaurants and businesses, please contact your local Business Improvement Area (BIA) here.

 

There is a lot of misinformation especially on social media. Please only consult trustworthy sources for information about the coronavirus.

 

The official sites are:
Canada: canada.ca/coronavirus
Ontario: ontario.ca/coronavirus
Toronto: toronto.ca/coronavirus

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns at 416-763-5630 or by email at Bkarpoche-co@ndp.on.ca.

Wash your hands. Stay home (except if you must work). Be kind. We are all in this together.Warmly,
Bhutila Karpoche,
MPP for Parkdale—High Park