Vital updates:

• Over the weekend, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Measures Table, reduced limits on the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings across the entire province, effective immediately. A minimum fine of $10,000 will be levied against anyone hosting an event in contravention of this legislation. Last week, the government imposed these restrictions in Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa. The new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering across the province is:
  • 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or
  • 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100).
• Businesses and other organizations should note that these new limits apply only to unmonitored and private gatherings. The new limits will not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms, places of worship, recreational sporting or performing art events. Current rules concerning physical distancing, mask-wearing, and so forth should be adhered to as before.
• The Government of Ontario has issued a statement expressing their satisfaction that the Ontario Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) program has been accepted as an alternative to the federal output-based pricing system. Businesses should review the program and evaluate whether they are required to register, or may opt in. The program is aimed at large industrial emitters and will not affect the carbon tax on gasoline, for instance. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court will hear appeals in three cases this week to determine if the federal carbon tax is constitutional. Appeals courts in Saskatchewan and Ontario had previously upheld the law, while the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled it unconstitutional.
• Tomorrow at 10:30am, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and Grimsby Library will present Finding nature in your backyard, an interactive Zoom presentation on the work of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, focused on special projects, ecology, species at risk, volunteering and partnerships for everyone who supports and appreciates Niagara’s natural heritage. Register here.
• Niagara Health has announced a significant increase in the number of people seeking testing over the past week at Niagara Health’s three COVID-19 Assessment Centres, with 3,484 tests performed between Sept. 11 to 17, which is an average of nearly 500 people per day. This total includes a record 665 tests on Sept. 16. As a result, walk-in patients are experiencing longer than normal wait times, and may not be seen on the day they arrive. Addresses and opening hours of Niagara’s three assessment centres are available here. Patients are encouraged to book an appointment by calling 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19).

Reading recommendations:

• CMHC stands by forecast for sharp price drop in Canada, Shelly Hagan, BNN Bloomberg
• 5 key questions on employee travel, John Dujay, Canadian HR Reporter
• Explainer: How clinical trials test COVID-19 vaccines, Charles Weijer, The Conversation