Huron-Bruce MPP thanks front-line workers, local residents helping stop spread of COVID-19

Thank you to everyone in our resilient communities for stepping up to help stop the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

This global pandemic has changed our daily lives significantly, and it hasn’t been easy for anyone, especially our front-line health-care workers, but I am confident that our united commitment and spirit to flattening the curve will continue to shine during these trying times. By continuing to practise physical-distancing, we are keeping our family and friends safe.

It’s been heartwarming to see everyone working together as one to help each other and to show our appreciation to our local front-line heroes with ways to say thank you, across the riding.

I encourage you all to continue to show your support to our local heroes, and please check on your family, friends, and neighbours and follow the directives we receive from our local medical officers of health, as well as the provincial chief medical officer of health.

To the staff in our hospitals, long-term care facilities and retirement homes, our farmers, cashiers and retail workers, our paramedics, police, and firefighters, thank you for your continued efforts to keep our loved ones and most vulnerable citizens safe. I sincerely express my appreciation to our essential and non-essential workers for everything you do.

Over the past month, our government has implemented new measures to provide relief to Ontarians, such as emergency child care to front-line workers and expanding the list of essential workers eligible to receive free child care. During these challenging times, we will do whatever it takes to keep families safe and supported.

The provincial government has also extended the emergency electricity rate relief for time-of-use customers, including families, farms and small businesses, until May 31, during the COVID-19 outbreak. The relief was initially provided for a 45-day period starting on March 24, and is intended to be in place for an additional 24 days.

We also know that small businesses are experiencing real financial pressure during this time and are struggling to pay rent as a result. Hence, Ontario is partnering with the federal government to provide urgent rent relief to small businesses and their landlords. Ontario is committing $241-million through the new Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program, with details to come. We have also encouraged the federal government to address the residential rental market concerns as well.

Further, our government has significantly increased COVID-19 testing and released a framework to re-opening our province. The framework provides details of an outreach strategy, led by the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee, to help inform the restart of the provincial economy.

I am honoured to have been appointed to the Jobs and Recovery Committee that will focus on getting businesses up and running and people back to work once it’s safe to do so. The committee will develop a plan to stimulate economic growth and job creation in the weeks and months ahead. I look forward to reaching out to our communities and small businesses in Huron-Bruce as we develop a recovery plan. I want to reassure you all that rural and small-town Ontario will have a voice at this pertinent provincial table.

Our government will continue to work with all levels of government to protect Ontarians in our fight against, and recovery from, COVID-19. We will get through this only if we work together, so please continue to do your part to flatten the curve by practising physical-distancing, staying indoors or two metres apart if you are in a public space, and working from home if you can. Please self-isolate if you begin to feel unwell, and take the self-assessment tool available on the Ontario website, Ontario.ca/covid19.

Often, the most challenging times bring out the best in people, and Huron-Bruce has been exemplary in showing what true Ontario spirit is. Thank you to everyone across the riding for your co-operation and patience.

I respectfully ask you to support our local businesses when time permits, and do your part to keep our communities safe.

Thank you. Stay well.

Lisa Thompson
Huron-Bruce MPP