New as of March 18

The transfer of the health system funding, planning and coordination functions of the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)will be postponed as the province continues to actively respond to COVID-19. Plans will be made to transfer these functions into Ontario Health at a later date.

The Ontario Legislature is being recalled for an emergency session tomorrow (Thursday, March 19) to allow the province to pass 2 pieces of legislation designed to give Ontarians relief during the provincial state of emergency.

Canada and the United States have agreed to restrict non-essential travel (for recreational and tourism purposes) across the border, as both countries try to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also announced an $82-billion aid package to help Canadians and businesses, including income supports, wage subsidies and tax deferrals.

Some of what the emergency aid plan includes:

• Temporarily boosting Canada Child Benefit payments, delivering about $2 billion in extra support.
• New Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 biweekly, up to 15 weeks, to provide income support to workers who have to stay home and don’t have access to paid sick leave. The measure could disburse up to $10 billion.
• Provide eligible small businesses a 10 per cent wage subsidy for the next 90 days, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Employers benefiting from this measure would include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as not-for-profit organisations and charities.  This will help employers keep people on their payroll and help Canadians keep their jobs.
• A six-month, interest-free reprieve on student loan payments. 
• Doubling the homeless care program. 
• Extending the tax filing deadline to June 1.
• Allowing taxpayers to defer tax payments until after Aug. 31 amounts that are due after today and before September.

To find more that is included in this announcement, visit here.

City of Ottawa Revenue Services is implementing changes to the following services to assist residents and small businesses as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.

• Interim Property Tax Grace Period for All Property Owners
• New 2020 Property Tax Hardship Deferral Program
• Tax & Water Bill Deferral Program for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
• Water Service
• Farm Grant Program

For more information, click here.

A Recap of closures and news around the City of Ottawa and the Province

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario announced that it is taking decisive action by making an order declaring an emergency. 

As a result of this declaration and its associated orders, the following establishments are legally required to close immediately:

• All facilities providing indoor recreational programs;
• All public libraries;
• All private schools as defined in the Education Act;
• All licensed child care centres;
• All bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout food and delivery;
• All theatres including those offering live performances of music, dance, and other art forms, as well as cinemas that show movies; and
• Concert venues.

Further, all organized public events of over fifty people are also prohibited, including parades and events and communal services within places of worship. These orders will remain in place until March 31, 2020, at which point they will be reassessed and considered for extension, unless this order is terminated earlier.

In order to ensure a safe, healthy and secure environment for residents, the Chief Medical Officer of Health has recommended that licensed retirement homes only allow essential visitors—people visiting residents who are very ill or require end-of-life care—until further notice. Licensed retirement homes will continue to actively screen essential visitors and staff before they enter the home.

It is recommended that no other visitors should be permitted to enter these premises. Instead, they should be asked to keep in touch with loved ones by phone or other technologies, as available.

Ontario has created a new self-assessment tool
If you think you have 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use this self-assessment to help determine if you need to seek further care. Visit here.


Hydro Ottawa
Recognizing the economic uncertainty for Ottawa residents associated with the current COVID-19 outbreak, Hydro Ottawa is taking measures to help customers:

• The provincial Winter Disconnection Ban scheduled to end on April 30, 2020 has been extended by an additional three months.
• Account collection actions have been suspended until further notice.
• Customers may request flexible payment plans in order to allow more time to pay outstanding balances on their account, if needed.  Contact us to discuss payment options.
  • Online: hydroottawa.com/contact
  • Phone: 613-738-6400
    (Weekdays from 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Excluding statutory holidays.)

Food Banks in Ottawa South

Banff Avenue Community House   Banff Avenue Community House, 2084 Banff Ave, Unit A & B, Ottawa, ON  K1V 7X9

613-739-5702

Heron Emergency Food Centre   1480 Heron Rd, Ottawa, ON  K1A 6A5

613-737-9090

Confederation Court Community House   2483-A Walkley Rd, Ottawa, ON  K1G 3H2

613-521-6807

Ottawa Food Bank   1317 Michael St, Ottawa, ON  K1B 3M9

613-745-7001

Pavilion Food Bank (The)   Greenboro Pavilion, 14 Tapiola Cres, Ottawa, ON  K1T 1W9

613-247-7772

Russell Heights Community House   1799 Russell Rd, Unit E, Ottawa, ON  K1G 0N1

613-736-9855

Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region
If you are feeling overwhelmed or need mental health advice, please call the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region: https://www.dcottawa.on.ca/ or Distress: 613-238-3311  
Crisis: 613-722-6914 or 1-866-996-0991.

United Way Ottawa is looking for help during the pandemic and has created a new campaign. Read more here to find out how you can help.

Call or visit 211 Ontario to find services and programs in our community:  Call 2-1-1


Ottawa Public Health
For the latest updates, please click here.

Government of Ontario
Every day at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.  ET, the Province of Ontario’s novel coronavirus (COVID-19) web page will be updated with the most up-to-date information including the status of cases in Ontario.

Government of Canada
For the latest COVID-19 updates, please click here.
For the latest on Employment and Social Development changes for employees and employers, click here.


As the situation evolves, we will continue to provide up to date information when we receive it. Please contact us if you require assistance.