COVID-19 Advocacy

We understand the stress and uncertainty of the last few weeks, and continued uncertainty looking towards the next few weeks and months for the physical and economic health of our community. We are confident that together, we can meet this challenge. In order to ensure this, the GNCC is lobbying for additional measures to help you through the COVID-19 crisis:

Flattening the curve.  All Canadians need to follow the directives and recommendations of our public health and emergency management authorities, especially when it comes to physical distancing. It is critical that we “flatten the curve” to stem the outbreak. We all have a shared responsibility to protect our families, colleagues, friends, and our community, and ultimately it is how we get back to stability, for our society and our economy.

Debt/ household financial relief: We need all levels of government to work together to ensure that households receive the necessary relief and monetary support for monthly payments such as utility bills, tax deadlines, rent and mortgage payments and the like. Canadians must be able to focus on their health first and foremost.

Supply chain integrity and labour: The integrity of the Canadian supply chain, and access to labour, must continue to remain a priority. Canadians and Canadian business owners need assurance that while balancing public health concerns and safety, goods and services will continue to enter Canada in a safe way.

Ease of access: Reduce the regulations and/or waive them for the next three months to enable ease of access to benefits and financial resources presented at all three levels of government.

Additional measures:

• • • Delivery and take-out beverage alcohol  be permitted for restaurants and food-service establishments.
    • Rent relief  for individuals and businesses, allowing them to continue to rent their premises while still providing revenue to lessors.
    • Property tax deferrals  to be offered by all Niagara municipal governments.
    • More financial assistance for self-employed and non-EI-eligible Canadians  who are not covered by existing relief programs.

Please contact Hugo Chesshire, Director of Government Relations and Policy, at hugo@gncc.ca for further information.