Dear Friends,

Today, the Ford government extended the provincial stay-at-home order for the Region of Peel and Toronto until at least March 8, 2021.

As many of you know, people need more help to get through the pandemic, and more hope that we can end this. 

Doug Ford keeps making the same mistakes again and again. He keeps putting money and politics ahead of public health. That’s putting us at risk of repeating the cycle of sickness and lockdowns, so we’re asked him to make a different choice this time.

The NDP proposed solutions to save lives, help stop the spread and give folks the help and hope they need to get through this. Our NDP positive solutions blocked by the Ford govt this week:

 Paid sick days

 4 hours of care in LTC

 Access time essential caregivers

 Eviction ban

 Equity strategy

 Make schools safer

 PSW pay raise

 Small business support plan

 Senior’s advocate

Please feel free to reach out to me to talk about our 9 positive solutions or share any questions or anything you would like to share of concern to you at 905-495-8030 or KYarde-CO@ndp.on.ca. Thank you to those that have reached out to me.

Our team of volunteers is growing, as we fight for social, racial, and economic justice for all!

Join our team as we call residents to share our plan for a better Brampton, and we will have some fun while doing it!

Volunteering may be different due to COVID-19, but our team is mobilizing to support our community through remote efforts. Everyone can volunteer with us, regardless of political experience, age, or abilities.

If you are between the ages of 14-24, consider joining MPP Kevin Yarde's Youth Council today!

• 'We really need to make sure we get this right': As COVID-19 variants spread in Peel regions top doctor urges caution during the provincial reopening
• Officer of health outlines who's up next for COVID-19 vaccines in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon
• COVID-19 MAP: New case hot spots moving around Brampton in Feb. 19 Peel Region report
• 'Sad day': Brampton Beast folds due to uncertainty from COVID-19

• Stay-at-home order remains in effect for Toronto and Peel but restaurants, gyms will reopen in York Region
• Ontario extends all emergency orders under the Reopening Ontario Act until March 21
• Ontario reports more than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 again but positivity rate is lowest it has been since October
• Fast-spreading U.K. variant will likely become dominant in the GTA before the end of the month, study warns

• Federal government extending Canadians' access to pandemic benefits

Health and Medical Resources

Stay informed on COVID-19 advice information from our public health experts by accessing the most up-to-date information through the following links: 

City of Brampton

Region of Peel

Ontario Government

Government of Canada

Find COVID-19 testing locations in Ontario: You must make an appointment to get tested at all locations.

Telehealth Ontario: Get fast, free medical advice through Telehealth Ontario on all subjects relating to health. Please note that wait times are long.

Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000
Toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007

Mental Health Supports: As social (physical) distancing may continue for a long time, CAMH has posted some strategies on psychological coping with COVID-19.

CRA and COVID-19: Benefits, credits, and financial support
If you were receiving CERB, you may be eligible for one of the new recovery benefits retroactive to September 27, 2020 and available until September 25, 2021.

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB): The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. The CRB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If you are eligible for the CRB, you can receive $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period. If your situation continues past 2 weeks, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 13 eligibility periods (26 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB): The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they're sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19. The CRCB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If you're eligible for the CRCB, your household can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period. If your situation continues past 1 week, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 26 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB): The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they're sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19. The CRSB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If you're eligible for the CRSB, you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a 1-week period. If your situation continues past 1 week, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 2 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease you back into normal operations. The CEWS has been extended to June 2021, including changes to the rates and top-up calculation. 

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS): Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses, starting on September 27, 2020, until June 2021. This subsidy will provide payments directly to qualifying renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of landlords. If you are eligible for the base subsidy, you may also be eligible for lockdown support if your business location is significantly affected by a public health order for a week or more.

Extended validation periods for drivers, vehicle and carrier products and services:
As part of the province's enhanced measures, the Provincial government is extending the validity period of driving products, services and health cards. These new regulations include extensions for driver licenses, license plate validation, Ontario Photo Cards, and Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates, among others. Expiring and expired health cards will continue to provide access to health services.