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CONGRATULATIONS JOEL KIMMEL. WESTPORT IS SO PROUD OF YOU.

Canada issues dollar for UN 75th anniversary milestone

Colorful and plain circulating 2020 dollar coins from the Royal Canadian Mint mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.

The United Nations was born 75 years ago, in the rubble of war.

The milestone anniversary is the subject of the Royal Canadian Mint’s new circulating commemorative dollars for Canada, one of the 51 original member nations of the organization. 

In 1945, those nations, including Canada, signed a treaty to establish a new world body with four fundamental goals: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war; champion human rights; foster respect for international law and treaties; and promote social progress.

Mark history, make history

This is the Royal Canadian Mint’s very first colorful circulating dollar coin; a plain version was also released.

The reverse, commemorating the 75th anniversary of Canada’s signing of the United Nations Charter, was designed by Westport, Ontario, artist Joel Kimmel. 

In a nod to the UN logo, a world map within an olive branch wreath is paired with a maple leaf to symbolize Canada’s commitment to the UN and its values. This central design is framed by a 1945–2020 double date and the words UN CHARTER and CHARTE DE L’ONU along the edge.

Two million colorful coins, with a red maple leaf and olive branches in the same shade of blue as the United Nations flag, entered circulation beginning Oct. 22. The circulating plain version is limited to 1 million coins. 

The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt in 2003.

In addition, the RCM has issued an annual year set of 2020 coins, with Uncirculated versions of all five standard designs, from 5-cent piece to the $2 coin, and both plain and colorful versions of the new UN dollar.  

The set has a product limit of 100,000 and retails for $22.95 Canadian.

To order, visit a special page at the RCM’s website, www.mint.ca/victory.

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it’S SPRING BULB PLANTING TIME

Last year, volunteers were encouraged to plant spring bulbs at the Village gateway signs. One group of friends chose the Village entrance at County Rd 42 and planted daffodils. It was a welcoming sight this spring, and made more so due to COVID-19. These volunteers have just planted more daffodil bulbs at the same location. Another reason to look forward to April.

Two other Westport gateway signs, Mountain Road by Sand Lake and Salem Rd, could use some spring bulbTLC . The gateway on County Rd 10 will have to wait until 2022 when the road is reconstructed.

Giving a shout out to any Village green thumbs who feel so inclined to plant some bulbs, cheering up our gateways this spring. Please contact CAO Paul Snider at psnider@villageofwestport.ca.

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Hallowe’en – trick/treating on the council agenda for tuesday, october 20

As many of you are aware, Westport Council took the decision at its October 6 Council Meeting to cancel door to door trick/treating for this year due to the rising numbers of COVID-19. Prior to that meeting, unsuccessful attempts were made to learn of any guidelines from Chief Medical Officer Dr D Williams and the Ministry of Health.

Councillors had consulted with many residents prior to the October 6 meeting and it was a difficult, but unanimous decision.

On Tuesday, October 13, Dr P Stewart, MOH for Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Health Unit provided some guidelines for trick/treating. As her guidelines have been taken into consideration throughout COVID-19, the matter will be on the Council agenda for Tuesday, October 20.

Since Council’s decision has already been taken, the Procedural By-law requires a two-stage process to debate it again. The first stage is called “reconsideration” – essentially this means that members of Council must agree by a majority vote to bring the matter back onto the table. If that motion carries, then the issue of door to door trick/treating will be discussed and voted on. The passing of the reconsideration motion is not an indication of how the motion on trick/treating will be decided.

I encourage you to contact a member of Council if you have any comments.

You can watch the Council meetings on live stream by clicking on the Village You Tube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-fs2y1g5jXLiioR0KdDgbA

For further information contact CAO Paul Snider  psnider@villageofwestport.ca 613-273-2191

or rjones@villageofwestport.ca 613-273-9195

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October Public Health Municipal Update from dr paula stewart

In Leeds, Grenville and Lanark area,  one or two people each day are newly diagnosed with COVID-19. Household members have then become infected in some situations. Many of these people have become infected in other areas, including Ottawa. Given the current high levels of infection elsewhere in the province and in Canada, the public health message is to consider if it is necessary to travel outside our region, and to limit visits by family members and friends living in high risk areas, including college and university students.  If those visits do occur then ensure physical distancing is in place at all times, and use a mask/face covering when inside. Based on the experience in Ottawa, and elsewhere in the province, it is critical to avoid social gatherings with people outside our household to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection.

To date we have had  two schools where one or more people have tested positive for COVID-19. Excellent collaboration with parents, students, the school and the Board of Education led to a swift response which limited further spread in the school. Schools are working hard to provide a safe, healthy environment for students and staff.

Public Health has provided input into many public  events that are being developed by municipalities, businesses or other organizations. Going forward we would like to know about all public events so we can ensure that the organizers are adhering to all requirements in Regulation 364/20, including following Public Health Instruction.

The Health Unit will be using guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health to prepare resources for upcoming celebrations (including Halloween and Remembrance Day). The Halloween key messages are:

·         Virtual gatherings or events are safest

·         Outdoor gatherings or events are safer than indoors.

§  Consider fun and creative alternatives to trick or treating, like scavenger hunts and walks to look at neighbourhood decorations or having a themed dinner with household contacts.

§  If you choose to participate in trick or treating:

o   Only go out with members of your direct household

  • Wear a mask/face covering that fits properly – a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering.
  • Stay 2 metres apart and don’t congregate or linger at doorsteps
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer
  • Consider creative ways to hand out treats so that children aren’t reaching into a bucket or bowl to grab treats

§  No matter how you choose to celebrate Halloween, the key is to be COVID-SMART. Resources  will be available on our Website shortly.  

The recent provincial restrictions to restaurants, gyms, the entertainment sector etc. in Ottawa and elsewhere may have a spillover effect in our communities. People from Ottawa may want to come to services in our area, and businesses may see the restriction in Ottawa as an opportunity to draw people to our area. It is critical that strong public health precautions be in place to reduce the risk, if this occurs.

The Mobile Community Paramedic Program for Lanark, and for Leeds, Grenville, has successfully provided local testing for COVID-19 in several communities. Thank you to the municipalities who facilitated the testing. We will be looking for indoor sites for mobile testing in colder weather. 

Recently, the amount of testing for COVID-19  being done in the province superseded the ability of the laboratory system.   The Ministry of Health has identified who can be tested for COVID-19. Asymptomatic people who don’t need to be tested as part of a provincial program or who have not been directed to be tested by public health will no longer be tested at an Assessment Centre or at a mobile testing site.  Appointments are now required for all tests.

The provincial government has now mandated face covering/mask use in businesses and organizations.  The Medical Officer of Health Instruction on Face Coverings/Mask Use in Enclosed Public Spaces will facilitate adherence to this new provincial direction. 

Subsection 4 in the Regulation 364/20:  the person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall ensurethat any person in the indoor area of the premises of the business or organization, or in a vehicle that is operating as part of the business or organization, wears a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin during any period when they are in the indoor area, unless the person:

·         performs work for the business or organization, and is in an area that is not accessible to members of the public and is able to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person while in the indoor area or the employee or agent is within or behind a physical barrier.

·         Other Exceptions Included. https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/face-coverings-masks/

Paula Stewart MD, FRCPC

Medical Officer of Health

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health

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Ontario Implementing Additional Public Health Measures in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region

NEWS RELEASE

October 9, 2020

Office of the Premier

TORONTO — In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Public Health Measures Table, and local medical officers of health and other health experts, the Ontario government is introducing additional targeted public health measures in the Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto public health unit regions. These modified Stage 2 restrictions will be for a minimum of 28 days and reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Details were provided by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, and Dr. Adalsteinn Brown, Director of the Institute for Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation and the Dalla Lana Chair of Public Health Policy at the University of Toronto.

“The health experts presented the most recent health data which identified some alarming public health trends that require immediate attention and early action to keep people safe,” said Premier Ford. “That’s why we are making the difficult, but necessary decision to accept the health advice, and impose further restrictions in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region. By taking action ahead of the long weekend, we will help contain the spread in these hotspots, protect the surrounding communities, shield our seniors and most vulnerable, and contain the second wave surge. At the same time, we are providing support to our small businesses in these hotspots.”

“We are seeing the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 rising, hospitalization rates are growing, and community outbreaks are entering our nursing homes and vulnerable congregate settings,” said Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams. “We need to act quickly, and we need everyone to follow the public health guidelines if we are going to stop the spread and contain the second wave.”

Effective Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., these targeted measures are being implemented in Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto as a result of their higher than average rates of transmission. Measures under a modified Stage 2 include:

  • Reducing limits for all social gatherings and organized public events to a maximum of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained. The two limits may not be combined for an indoor-outdoor event;
  • Prohibiting indoor food and drink service in restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, including nightclubs and food court areas in malls;
  • Closing of:
    • Indoor gyms and fitness centres (i.e., exercise classes and weight and exercise rooms);
    • Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments;
    • Indoor cinemas;
    • Performing arts centres and venues;
    • Spectator areas in racing venues;
    • Interactive exhibits or exhibits with high risk of personal contact in museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, etc.;
  • Prohibiting personal care services where face coverings must be removed for the service (e.g. makeup application, beard trimming);
  • Reducing the capacity limits for:
    • Tour and guide services to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors
    • Real estate open houses to 10 people indoors, where physical distancing can be maintained.
    • In-person teaching and instruction (e.g. cooking class) to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, with exemptions for schools, child care centres, universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, private career colleges, the Ontario Police College, etc.
    • Meeting and event spaces to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, and
  • Limiting team sports to training sessions (no games or scrimmages).

Schools, child care centres, and places of worship will remain open in these communities and must continue to follow the public health measures in place. Before-school and after-school programs will also be exempt from these new restrictions.

Given the extraordinary costs associated with these functions, wedding receptions scheduled for this weekend may proceed under existing public health rules. Effective Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., updated public health measures will apply to wedding receptions, including new gathering limits of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors at event spaces.

“The rising number of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks with increasing rates of hospitalization and ICU admissions is very concerning and putting our health system capacity at risk,” said Minister Elliott. “We need to halt this dangerous trend by tightening public health measures in Ottawa, Peel and Toronto in order to keep our schools open, protect our seniors and our loved ones in long-term care homes, and avoid the need for harsher measures in the future. This was not an easy decision but a necessary one to potentially preventing something much worse.”

In addition to the measures being implemented in the Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto public health unit regions, the Chief Medical Officer of Health is also urging all Ontarians to:

  • Limit trips outside of home, except for essential purposes only such as work where it is not possible to work from home, school, grocery shopping, medical appointments, and outdoor healthy physical activity. In addition, travel to other regions in the province, especially from higher transmission to lower transmission areas, should only be for essential purposes;
  • Practise physical distancing of at least two metres with those outside your household;
  • Wear a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so; and
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly; and following gathering limits and rules.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health and other public health experts continue to closely monitor the evolving situation across the province to advise if and when public health measures or restrictions should be adjusted or tightened.

For additional protection, the Ontario government is encouraging everyone to download the new COVID Alert app on their smart phone from the Apple and Google Play app stores.

As these necessary public health measures come at a cost to small businesses, Ontario has planned to and will make $300 million available to assist significantly affected businesses with fixed costs, including property taxes, hydro and natural gas bills.

“Since the outset of the pandemic the government has recognized that the health and safety of the people of Ontario must come first, while supporting workers and business-owners during this unprecedented global pandemic,” said Minister Phillips. “Ontario will build on the historic collaboration with the Government of Canada to ensure workers are protected, businesses are supported, and that this support arrives as soon as possible.”

This support will be provided by the province and will be made available in any region where these measures are necessary. More details will be released in the coming days.

This funding builds on the actions the government has taken to support small businesses throughout the pandemic, including putting in place a temporary moratorium on commercial evictions, making $60 million available for a $1,000 grant for small businesses to offset the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE), and exploring options to permanently allow restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order.

Quick Facts

  • The Ontario government has developed a $2.8 billion COVID-19 fall preparedness plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, to ensure the province’s health care, long-term care and education systems are prepared for the immediate challenges of the fall, including a second wave of COVID-19 and the upcoming flu season.
  • With a recent increase in cases of COVID-19, it remains vital for the government to continue to protect vulnerable populations and for each Ontarian to follow public health advice.
  • As well, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government has extended orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) to October 22, 2020. Orders in effect under the ROA will allow the government to maintain the flexibility it needs to address the ongoing and emerging risks as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • On July 24, 2020, the ROA came into force to ensure important measures remained in place after the provincial declared emergency came to an end. Under the ROA, orders can be extended for up to 30 days at a time. The government will continue to review all orders continued under the ROA and will report on order extensions to the Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight.