The following measures will be added to of the Framework to protect the health and safety of retail patrons and workers:

Grey-Lockdown Level

• In person shopping permitted for retail sales, with capacity limits;
• In addition of the previous restriction of 50 per cent capacity limit for supermarkets and other stores that primarily sell groceries, convenience stores, and pharmacies:
  • 25 per cent capacity limit for all other stores that engage in retail sales to the public, including, big box stores;
• Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted;
• Require store capacity limit to be posted publicly;
• Require businesses and organizations to screen in compliance with any advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health or other public health official by, among other things:
  • Posting signs at all entrances to the premises, in a location visible to the public, that informs individuals on how to screen themselves for COVID-19 prior to entering the premises;
  • Actively screening every person who works at the business or organization before they enter the premises; and
  • Actively screening patrons entering indoor malls;
• Require individuals to maintain at least two metres of physical distance and wear a face covering, including when attending organized public events and other gatherings, with limited exceptions.

Red-Control Level

• In person shopping permitted for retail services, with capacity limits;
  • 75 per cent capacity limit for supermarkets and other stores that primarily sell groceries, convenience stores, and pharmacies; and
  • 50 per cent capacity limit for all other retail businesses that engage in retail sales to the public, including big box stores;
• Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted;
• Require store capacity limit to be posted publicly;
• Require all retailers and other sectors to have a safety plan and post it;
• Require businesses and organizations to screen in compliance with any advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health or other public health official by, among other things:
  • Posting signs at all entrances to the premises, in a location visible to the public, that informs individuals on how to screen themselves for COVID-19 prior to entering the premises;
  • Actively screening every person who works at the business or organization before they enter the premises; and
  • Actively screening patrons entering indoor malls;
• Require individuals to maintain at least two metres of physical distance and wear a face covering, with limited exceptions.

Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, and Orange-Restrict Levels, and Other Sectors

• Require businesses and organizations to screen in compliance with any advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health or other public health official by, among other things:
  • Posting signs at all entrances to the premises, in a location visible to the public, that informs individuals on how to screen themselves for COVID-19 prior to entering the premises;
  • Actively screening every person who works at the business or organization before they enter the premises; and
  • Actively screening patrons entering indoor malls in the Orange-Restrict zone;
• Require passive screening except for indoor malls and other sectors required to screen in accordance with advice, recommendations and instructions from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health as per the original Framework;
• Require all retailers and sectors to have safety plan and post it;
• Require individuals to maintain at least two metres of physical distance and wear a face covering, including when attending organized public events and other gatherings, with limited exceptions.

Further changes to measures in the COVID-19 Response Framework (e.g. opening of additional businesses, loosening of public health and workplace measures) will be restricted for at least 28 days following the last public health unit returning to the Framework.

Fort Erie Town Council approves 2021 Budget (PDF link)

Fort Erie Town Council approved in principle the 2021 proposed budget with an increase of 0.32 per cent for the Town’s portion of the residential property tax. When the Niagara Region and the Boards of Education levies are included, the combined increase for residential taxpayers in Fort Erie is 0.90 per cent.

For the average median home (includes town homes, apartments & detached homes) assessed at $200,300, this increase translates to an additional $2.22 monthly. The assessed value is provided by MPAC and is different than the market value of homes.

Total investment in building construction increases in December

Total investment in building construction increased 1.5% in December, following three consecutive months of declines. Investment in the residential sector reached a record high of $11.1 billion.

In December, non-residential construction investment remained at $4.4 billion for the third consecutive month. Ontario reported the largest gain—up 2.0% from November—but this growth was offset by declines reported in five provinces. Investment in commercial building construction edged up 0.3% in December, driven in large part by Ontario’s growth in this sector (+3.6% to $1.1 billion). The construction of large projects, such as Amazon’s Project Python being built in Ottawa, contributed to the rise.

Investment in residential construction reached a record high in December, up 1.9% to $11.1 billion. Single-unit investment continued to show strength for the third straight month, up 2.6%. Eight provinces posted gains, with Ontario (+2.8%), Quebec (+3.1%) and Alberta (+4.6%) accounting for the majority of the growth.