Tag Archives: Mayor Robin Jones

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Council passes bylaw establishing guidelines to address racism, discrimination and harassment.

At the July 7 meeting, Council took the very strong step to pass a bylaw that states our commitment to upholding the human rights of individuals, empowering vulnerable communities and fostering a civil society that is committed to the elimination of racism, discrimination, marginalization, and poverty and also in empowering individuals to stand up against intolerance wherever it occurs. The passing of this public policy bylaw is the first step, the laying of a cornerstone.  There is much to do for staff and council to implement the strategies and I look forward to the involvement of the public as we move forward.

I encourage you to contact me or any member of Council to share your thoughts and suggestions in relation to the approved strategies.

THE CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF WESTPORT

BY-LAW 2020-35

BEING A BY-LAW TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR THE VILLAGE OF WESTPORT TO ADDRESS MATTERS OF DISCRIMINATION AND TO IDENTIFY STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

WHEREAS the Canadian Human Rights Act of 1977 protects people in Canada from discrimination when they are employed by or receive services from the federal government, First Nations governments or private companies that are regulated by the federal government such as banks, trucking companies, broadcasters and telecommunications companies. People can turn to the Canadian Human Rights Act to protect themselves against harassment or discrimination when based on one or more grounds of discrimination such as race, age and sexual orientation.

AND WHEREAS the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms of 1982 is part of Canada’s Constitution. The Charter protects every Canadian’s right to be treated equally under the law. The Charter guarantees broad equality rights and other fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion. It only applies to governments, and not to private individuals, businesses or other organizations. This means that for the most part, a person cannot mount a Charter challenge against a private business, a private organization, or a person who is not acting on behalf of the government. The Charter also protects the rights of all Canadians from infringements by laws, policies or actions of governments, including authorities such as the police.

AND WHEREAS the United Nations General Assembly adopted unanimously the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.  The Declaration recognizes the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people and holds that only when the dignity, worth and equal rights of humankind are respected can we obtain freedom, justice and peace

AND WHEREAS the Ontario’s Human Rights Code is a provincial law that gives everyone equal rights and opportunities without discrimination in specific social areas such as jobs, housing, services, facilities, and contracts or agreements. The Code’s goal is to prevent discrimination and harassment because of race, sex, disability, and age, to name a few of the 17 grounds. All other Ontario laws must agree with the Code.  This includes municipal by-laws.

AND WHEREAS the Village of Westport is committed to embracing the spirit of the United Nations Declaration and the Ontario Human Rights Code by upholding the human rights of individuals, empowering vulnerable communities and fostering a civil society that is committed to the elimination of racism, discrimination, marginalization, and poverty and also in empowering individuals to stand up against intolerance wherever it occurs. 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Village of Westport shall:

  1. acknowledge that racism, discrimination and harassment exist.
  1. commit to using equity, diversity and inclusive lenses on all future decisions,
  1. provide education to inform Council and Staff about implicit and explicit bias.
  1. direct staff to review all existing Westport public policies for systemic barriers to accessing government programs and services. 
  1. raise awareness and assist in community collaboration to identify strategies and actions to combat racism, discrimination and harassment.
  1. direct that the Corporate Strategic Plan be amended to include the goals of this by-law as described in items 1 through 5 above.

ENACTED AND PASSED this 7th day of July 2020.

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Masks Mandatory inside enclosed public spaces as of Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 12:01am

Local health units announce regional approach to mandatory masks

July 6, 2020

Today Medical Officers of Health from Eastern Ontario Health Unit; Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; Renfrew County and District Health and Ottawa Public Health announced a regional approach to the use of face coverings/masks in enclosed public places within their respective jurisdictions.

Each public health unit will be issuing an Instruction under the province’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act Stage 2 which states that the person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.

In Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, this Instruction will require businesses to adopt a policy to ensure facial coverings/masks are worn inside enclosed public spaces/settings that are openly accessible to the public. The Instruction comes into effect as of Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 12:01am and will be reviewed on September 30, 2020. The LGLDHU, to support implementation of this Instruction, will provide information and consultation to operators of enclosed indoor spaces. This directive is to be primarily used to educate people on facial covering/mask use in enclosed public spaces where 2-metre physical distancing cannot always be maintained.

As the province continues to reopen, there are increased opportunities for people to have close contact with others in enclosed public spaces. This could lead to an increased risk of potential spread of COVID-19, especially indoors or confined spaces where there is minimal airflow, higher concentrations of people, and an increased chance of sharing high-touch surfaces.

Evidence shows that wearing a mask or face covering, such as a bandana, scarf or cloth that covers the mouth and nose, can help contain the spread of COVID-19 when used in combination with staying home when ill, frequent handwashing and practicing physical distancing. Facial coverings/masks that cover your mouth, nose, and chin help to prevent respiratory droplets from your mouth and nose from reaching others or landing on surfaces.

“We have learned over the course of this pandemic that we have to get ahead of the COVID19 virus – it is very infections and can spread easily among people with close contact in enclosed spaces. Most people do not have immunity to COVID-19 and some people may experience no symptoms but still be able to spread the virus,” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. “We have been recommending the use of face coverings/masks in enclosed indoor spaces for many weeks. With the increase in opportunities for people to be indoors in public spaces with others, now this is the time to add facial covering/mask use to the existing requirements for operators of indoor public spaces. Each person wearing a facial covering/mask says I am protecting you. We all need to reciprocate this behaviour – it is social responsibility.”

The Health Unit has staff answering COVID-19 related questions and concerns for the public from 8:30am to 4:30pm every day at 1-800-660-5853 extension 2499. Public Health Inspectors are also available to discuss environmental health concerns. You can also get more information about COVID-19 by visiting www.healthunit.org/coronavirus or by connecting with LGLHealthUnit on Facebook and Twitter.

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Westport’s Senior of the Year 2020

Congratulations to Betty McInnis.  Betty learned that she had been selected as Council’s 2020 Senior of the Year live on our Canada Day Zoom call.  MPP Steve Clark praised Betty for all she does in support of others in the Village.  MP Michael Barrett congratulated Betty for her service to others.  When the Lieutenant Governor learned that we had recognized Betty as Senior of the Year just before she joined us, she also praised Betty and her efforts.

Miss Betty – Congratulations to Westport’s 2020 Senior of the Year.  Well deserved.

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On the agenda for Tuesday’s Westport Council meeting – mandatory wearing of face masks

There is no doubt that the outbreak of COVID-19 in Kingston last week has shed a spot light on how highly contagious this virus is and reminded us that it is becoming stronger, not weaker.  I spent much of the past 5 days talking to people – Westport business owners, community members, staff, mayoral colleagues, the Medical Officer of Health, AMO and ROMA – about mandatory wearing of face masks when inside businesses and government buildings.

I have encouraged the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) to assess the situation in Leeds, Grenville & Lanark similar to that in the Kingston region and issue a directive that makes the public use of cloth masks, if able, mandatory in indoor settings of commercial establishments.  The MOH’S region includes Leeds & Grenville and Lanark Counties.  At this time, Dr Stewart has not issued the directive.

I have asked CAO Snider to put this matter on the Agenda for Tuesday’s (July 7) Council meeting for Council to consider a by-law mandating the use of cloth masks in certain situations.   If you have strong feelings about this issue, please share your thoughts with me or the Councillor of your choice over the next few days to assist us in our deliberations.

Call any time – rjones@villageofwestport.ca    613-273-9195