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US Tariffs On Canadian Aluminum Condemned

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The Ontario government is condemning US tariffs on Canadian aluminium.

Premier Doug Ford’s office pointed out the recently imposed tariffs by President Trump come at a time when our trade partnership is essential to economic recovery.

It was also noted this undermines the new Canada-United States-Mexico trade agreement.

The government adds last year, this province bought $2.3-billion CAD in aluminium products alone from the US, which is part of the $390-billion in overall trade Ontario does with the US each year.

The Ontario government is urging the federal government to press the Americans to remove these tariffs and ensure it does not happen again. Doug Ford’s office adds the US Chamber of Commerce is echoing the similar sentiment, saying bringing back these tariffs is like a bad horror movie.

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Support For Nonprofits

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Some financial assistance for not-for-profit organizations to weather the pandemic.

The province is earmarking $83-million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation for groups like food banks, youth programs and Royal Canadian Legions to tap into.

Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Minister Lisa MacLeod says the pandemic has been hard on them.

“That’s why we’re taking action to support initiatives like the Resilient Communities Fund that are making such a positive contribution to communities across Ontario during this trying time,” says MacLeod.

Eligible groups will be able to apply for grants of up to 150-thousand dollars.

McLeod sees it being valuable to organizations like the Royal Canadian Legion.

“The Royal Canadian Legion is a valued part of Ontario’s history and our culture, not to mention an integral part of many communities, communities that Ontario’s nonprofits work to strengthen.”

The Royal Canadian Legion had expressed concerns to the federal government last month that some branches would close without some form of financial assistance.

The provincial money can be used for things such as:

  • Equipping board members and employees with supports to implement new approaches, prepare for change and build resiliency (e.g. organizational training and coaching, strategic planning and implementation, research & development, mental and physical health and wellbeing supports);
  • Improving and increasing ability to access financial resources and develop new and/or alternative sources of revenues (e.g. develop fundraising plans, identify fundraising and financial technology resources, seek opportunities for public-private partnerships and social finance);
  • Adapting or re-imagining the delivery of programs and services to meet the needs of the community, employees and volunteers (e.g. identify new health and safety processes and required personal protective equipment, technology supports, staffing and volunteer recruitment and training);
  • Procuring equipment or renovating spaces to meet the changing needs of the organization, its programs and services, and adapt to new ways of working (e.g. equipment and/or renovations to meet changing technology health and safety, and service delivery requirements);
  • Creating and/or adopting new approaches for organizations to work together to meet the needs of communities (e.g. peer learning, professional development, networking, resource, knowledge and data sharing).

Eligibility requirements and application deadlines can be found on the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s website.

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Ear Falls Mayor Discussing Land Use With Ford Government

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The Mayor of Ear Falls stresses there’s a huge opportunity right now for the province to cut through red tape and allow communities use of Crown Land within municipal boundaries.

Kevin Kahoot made a presentation this week to Premier Doug Ford and the Economic Recovery Standing Committee on Finance.

Kahoot says the COVID-19 pandemic is the perfect time to make political changes to restart the local economy saying as of now, the hoops you must jump through to acquire land within your own boundary is “horrific”.

He calls it a win-win for everyone as municipalities will be able to generate revenue without looking for a government handout.

He notes in Ear Falls, 20 residential water lots would bring in about 250-thousand dollars annually in tax revenue.

Kahoot is also urging municipalities to continue to push this issue and get the government to make this happen.

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Added Funding Supports Housing Needs

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There’s millions of more dollars going towards social housing and homeless shelters.

Premier Doug Ford indicates the province is doubling its commitment to the Social Services Relief Fund to help the most vulnerable people whose shelter needs have been affected by COVID-19.

“We’re investing an additional $150 million to improve homeless shelters and create opportunities for long-term care housing,” notes the premier.

The money is to help municipalities renovate shelters, purchase new facilities, and prepare for emergencies.

Ford adds “We are standing shoulder to shoulder with our municipal and Indigenous community partners to ensure our most vulnerable citizens are protected during these difficult times.”

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Reopening Playgrounds Pondered For Stage Three

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It may not be long before the Ford government allows playgrounds to reopen.

Health Minister Christine Elliott admits it is something they are seriously considering as they decide when to move on to stage three of reopening the province during the pandemic.

“There’d many other considerations of other things that will be brought in but the opening of children’s playgrounds is certainly one of the items that are under consideration for that,” said Elliott.

The health minister explains the difficulty is deciding how disinfect playground equipment.

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Premier Talks Camps, School & Store Safety

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Ontario’s Premier hasn’t made a final decision on whether or not people will be able to stay at their camps this summer if it’s not located in the community they currently reside in.

Doug Ford says he understands the frustration felt by people who pay taxes on their summer properties and want to use them.

“So if people are responsible and the numbers continue to go down and people bring their own food, don’t go to the stores and stay in their cottages…by May 24th there’s only so long I can hold the gates back from these people, there going to want to go to their vacation property, I understand,” Ford said.

Ford says he thinks his government has made the right decision on limiting cottagers at the moment but says it’s still a wait and see issue that will be decided at a later date.

Older students in elementary school and those in high school understand the need for physical distancing according to the Premier.

But the younger kids don’t understand why they can’t play with their friends, and that’s something Premier Ford and his government are considering when it comes to sending students back to school.

“So that’s something we really have to focus on especially if the decision is made and the decision hasn’t been made on if the kids will be going back to school in June sometime. We really have to monitor it,” Ford said.

The Premier reiterated they will continue to monitor the course of the pandemic before making a final decision about the fate of students.

Ford also suggests all businesses should be preparing and storing personal protective equipment for when they’ll be able to reopen during the pandemic.

He suggests retail stores should be planning no matter if they open in two weeks or several weeks from now.

“There’s the warning right now, it’s coming, the numbers keep going down, we got to get the economy going based on health and science. I have to keep emphasizing that, just because we open up these stores doesn’t mean it’s a free for all, we still need to follow the physical distancing rules and the instructions from the Chief Medical Officer,” Ford said.

The Premier’s comments come after some garden centres said they were caught off guard by the province’s decision to allow them to offer service starting today.

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KDSB Receives Funding Support To Help Those Struggling

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The Kenora District Services Board is on the receiving end of funding supports from the Provincial Government.

The money is being provided through the Social Services Relief Fund and will provide additional funding to support communities, families and individuals in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The KDSB says the money will support expanded COVID-19 services for those who are homeless, at-risk of homelessness and access the District’s homelessness shelters and will also adress food insecurity and vital supplies.

The money will also be used to help individuals and families on a case-by-case basis to help ensure people do not lose their homes due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Funding will provide support for the temporary creation of isolation centre programs where people who have symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 will receive appropriate assistance.

The KDSB is also advising the public that if there are households struggling with rent, mortgage or utility payments, you should contact them to see if you qualify for emergency financial supports.

You can find the KDSB’s website by clicking HERE

KDSB Press Release – Increased Support for Those in Need During COVID-19 Pandemic by Rayson Martyn on Scribd

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OECTA Reaches A Deal With The Province

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The first major teachers union in Ontario has reached a tentative deal with the province.

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association has been involved in four days of talks this week.

OECTA has agreed to suspend all strike action until a vote can be organized.

The Ontario Catholic Trustees Association says they are pleased, following many months of bargaining, OECTA, the Provincial government and their Association have reached a tentative collective agreement.

The details of the agreement won’t be released until the deal is ratified.

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Ring Of Fire A Step Closer

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The Ring of Fire mining development is a step closer.

The provincial government signed an agreement with Marten Falls and Webequie First Nation to build an all-weather road.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Greg Rickford says this is an historic agreement.

“Developing a reliable all-season road infrastructure including today the Northern Link Road will bring monumental social, health and economic benefits to communities most proximal to what we refer to as the Ring of Fire,” states Rickford.

Webequiue Chief Cornelius Wabasse says the Northern Link road will be of great benefit for his community.

“A future that offers improved access to health and social services, education, employment, business and other lifestyle opportunities…so it’s a great day.”

The agreement for the Northern Link Road was signed at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention on Monday afternoon in Toronto.

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Lecce Grilled Over Class Sizes

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The Ford government is being taken to task for hiding the results of a public consultation on education.

A majority of Ontario parents don’t approve of larger class sizes.

But Education Minister Stephen Lecce says they do have the smallest class sizes for the youngest kids.

“It is the voices of parents and students that has guided our government in this negotiation,” says Lecce.

“That is precisely why we have confirmed that we will keep classes low in this province for students. In fact, under our government, we are keeping classrooms the smallest in the nation for the early years.”

The class size information was released at a Labor Relations Board hearing on Tuesday by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, accusing the government of negotiating in bad faith.

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