Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Support for ALL Small Business Tenants and Landlords Now Available

All commercial landlords in Ontario can now apply for rental assistance to help their small business tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please follow the link below to see if you are now eligible to apply.

News Release

Ontario commercial landlords can apply for urgent rent assistance through Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for small businesses

 

Ministry of Finance

TORONTO — All commercial landlords in Ontario can now apply for rental assistance to help their small business tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative will keep more small businesses in operation and more people employed as the province gradually and safely restarts the economy.

The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, has launched the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. The province is committing $241 million to the program, which will provide more than $900 million in support for small businesses across Ontario during this difficult time.  To find out how much rent support you may be eligible for, visit Ontario.ca/rentassistance.

“We know that some of the necessary measures put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 have created significant financial hardships for small businesses,” said Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance. “That’s why we’ve partnered with the federal government to deliver urgent rent assistance and help both small businesses and commercial landlords make ends meet. I encourage all commercial landlords to take advantage of this benefit as soon as possible in order to provide some certainty for our small businesses.”

The CECRA for small businesses, administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), provides forgivable loans to eligible commercial landlords to help cover 50 per cent of commercial rent for tenants for the months of April, May and June 2020. The tenant will be responsible for covering up to 25 per cent of rent, so that up to 75 per cent of the rent is covered.

To receive the forgivable loan, eligible commercial landlords will be required to enter into a rent reduction agreement with their impacted small business tenants for April to June 2020, which includes committing to a moratorium on evictions for three months.

“As Ontario’s economy gradually reopens, we will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure people and businesses across the province get the support they desperately need. We want to do everything we can to ensure our small businesses are able and ready to reopen their doors when the time is right,” said Phillips.

To learn more and apply for the CECRA for small businesses, visit the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) application portal. 

Quick Facts

  • The CECRA for small businesses is administered by the CMHC and will be available until August 31, 2020. Support will be retroactive to April 1, covering April, May and June 2020.
  • The CECRA for small businesses has been developed to share the cost of rent between small business tenants, landlords and the governments of Ontario and Canada. Small business landlords would be asked to forgive at least 25 per cent of the tenant’s total rent, tenants would be asked to pay up to 25 per cent of rent and the provincial and federal government would share the cost of the remaining 50 per cent.
  • Partnering with the federal government to deliver rent assistance builds on the government’s actions to support small businesses during COVID-19. As part of Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19, the first phase of the government’s response, the province has implemented $10 billion in cash flow supports to help support jobs and businesses through tax and other deferrals.

Additional Resources

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RIDEAU CANAL OPENS TODAY, JUNE 1, WITH COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

LIMITED VISITOR ACCESS AND BASIC SERVICES RESUME AT RIDEAU CANAL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

SM ITHS FALLS, ONTARIO, M ay 27, 2020 – Starting June 1, 2020 the Rideau Canal National Historic Site will offer limited visitor access and basic services along the entire system, with the exception of Jones Falls and Kingston Mills.

Visitors will be able to access the following services and facilities:

  •   lockage, boat launches, access points and mooring areas;
  •   day-use areas, including green spaces, picnic areas, and parking lots;
  •   day-use trails, including some cycling access on designated trails and pathways ;
  •   lockstation grounds; and
  •   public toilets where enhanced cleaning protocols will be implemented .

    Until June 1, these facilities remain closed and we ask that visitors respect these closures in order to allow canal staff to do the necessary work to prepare for opening.

    Jones Falls and Kingston Mills lockstations will not open on June 1 as important infrastructure work is ongoing in both of these locations. It is expected that this work will be completed and the entire system will be open for navigation later in June.

    Visiting the Rideau Canal National Historic Site will be different than it has been in the past. Visitors are asked to plan ahead by checking the Rideau Canal National Historic website before they travel to find out:

  •   what is open;
  •   what they can expect, including modified lockage and mooring protocols;
  •   how to prepare for their visit.

    The health and safety of visitors and employees is of utmost importance to the Government of Canada. Parks Canada is following the advice of public health experts and continues to make every effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Visitors should follow the advice of public health experts, including necessary hygiene practices and physical distancing of two metres from others.

    Parks Canada is asking Canadians to be cautious and conservative in their use of these places, to observe any regional or Ontario travel restrictions and to respect any closures that are in place. Anyone participating in recreational activities should be extra cautious to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on search and rescue teams and on the health care system.

    All camping facilities remain closed until at least June 21, 2020, while Parks Canada assesses whether and how these services might resume. Group activities and public events are suspended until further notice.

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Updates from Westport Town Hall

On Wednesday, May 27 at a Special Council meeting, Council approved Greer Galloway, our Engineering consultant, to proceed with issuing the RFP for the reconstruction of Bedford St.  The proposed schedule begins the work from Concession St to George St after July 1 and from George St to Main St after August 1.  Construction will continue until October/November depending on weather.  Bedford St will generally be open to traffic throughout the construction and there will be access to businesses and residents’ driveways.

On April 2, 2020, I declared an Emergency that remains in effect.  However two of the orders made under that declaration are not being extended.

Emergency Order #1 will not be extended.  Effective June 1, 2020 garbage bag tags/Westport garbage bags will be required for solid waste pick up.

Emergency Order #2 will not be extended.  Effective Wednesday, June 3, Westport Town Hall will reopen to the public for mornings only until further notice.  One person at a time will be admitted to Town Hall.  The staff area of Town Hall has plastic sneeze guards installed, so you will notice a slightly different look should you find it necessary to come to the office.

Please call if you have any concerns or questions.  273-9195COVID Town Hall 

 

 

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Emergency Orders Extended until June 9th, 2020

Emergency Orders Extended to June 9th

The Ontario government is extending all emergency orders in force under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Current emergency orders include the closure of outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, public swimming pools and outdoor water facilities, as well as bars and restaurants except for takeout and delivery.  Additionally, there continues to be restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people, and staff redeployment rules remain in place for long-term care homes and congregate settings like retirement homes and women’s shelters.

Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, emergency orders can only be extended for up to 14 days by the Lieutenant Governor in Council (Cabinet) or the Legislative Assembly, on the recommendation of the Premier may, by resolution, extend the period of an emergency for additional periods of no more than 28 days.