• Today marks the start of Mental Health Week. The Government of Canada has launched Wellness Together Canada, a free portal that provides mental health tools and resources to Canadians.
• The Prime Minister today joined other global leaders to launch the Coronavirus Global Response. This online pledging event aims to initially raise more than $8 billion (USD) to help researchers and innovators develop solutions to test, treat, and protect people, and to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
• Through an emergency order, the Ontario government is taking steps to defer a portion of Global Adjustment (GA) charges for industrial and commercial electricity consumers that do not participate in the Regulated Price Plan for the period starting from April 2020.
• Families receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will get $300 extra per child in May to help them deal with the added pressures of COVID-19. Eligible families will automatically receive this one-time increase as part of their scheduled CCB payment in May. Those who already receive the CCB do not need to re-apply for this one-time increase.
• Toronto police have noted an increase in online scams associated with COVID-19, including text messages requesting banking information for processing government payments for Emergency Benefits or Canada Revenue Agency, fines for leaving the house too many times in a day, or demands for immediate payment with threats of cancelled services e.g. streaming services; emails with fraudulent or corrupt links on topics such as “delivery details” for those most likely to be using delivery services and “special offers” for COVID-19-related products/services; and websites claiming sales of COVID-19-related products and services, such as testing kits, cleaning products or remedies, and information from “health officials”, requesting information and/or links to other sites. If you have been a victim of a scam and experienced a financial loss, please call the Niagara Regional Police Service non-emergency number at 905-688-4111. If you received a call but did not experience a financial loss, call Phonebusters at 1-888-495-8501 or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. The police urge the following precautions:
  • Do not click on random links
  • Do not provide your personal information, including banking information
  • Do not install unknown applications, even if you’re asked to via email/text/etc.
  • Use two-factor authentication for online payments
  • Do not use links sent via email/text to access online accounts
  • Set up strong passwords for new or existing online accounts
  • Back up your work regularly and work offline, when possible
  • Use software to protect yourself from malware and viruses
• Tomorrow’s edition of the GNCC Espresso Live webinar series will feature Mayors Frank Campion and Sandra Easton. Registration is free.

Reading recommendations:

• How Long Will a Vaccine Really Take?, Stuart Thompson, The New York Times
• This is what you should be demanding from your government to contain the virus, Prof. Devi Sridhar, The Guardian
• Georgia’s Experiment in Human Sacrifice, Amanda Mull, The Atlantic
• Health expert warns reopening provincial economies will be ‘tricky’, Chris Hall, CBC

If you are showing symptoms, you must self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days. Call a public health authority immediately. Do not visit any healthcare provider in person before you have been directly advised to by public health authorities.  

It is important that everyone practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of aCOVID-19. Remain at home unless absolutely necessary. Minimize contact with other people. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. Maintain a 2-meter distance from others if you are required to be out in public. If you have recently traveled outside the country, you are legally required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Previous updates can be accessed here.

Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.