Ontario announces new and extended actions to contain Omicron
Although Ontario’s weekly case incidence rate is below the national average, COVID-19 is on the rise again, with yesterday’s daily case count the highest seen since May. That being the case, the Government of Ontario announced the following actions today:
- Lifting proof-of-vaccination requirements, originally slated for January 17, 2022, is now postponed indefinitely.
- Employers are advised to have staff work from home wherever possible.
- Enhanced vaccine certificates with QR codes and the Verify Ontario app must be used in settings that require vaccination after January 4, 2022.
- Medical and clinical trial exemptions will require a certificate with a QR code. Organizations and businesses currently collecting proof-of-vaccination are advised not to accept physicians’ notes after January 10, 2022.
- Young Ontarians aged 12 to 17 participating in organized sports will have to show proof-of-vaccination after December 20, 2021.
- All Ontarians are strongly advised to limit their social gatherings over the holiday season, particularly where some individuals are unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown.
- All adult Ontarians will be able to schedule a booster vaccination from 8:00 a.m. on January 4, 2022. Preliminary data from the United Kingdom indicates that a third dose of vaccine significantly increases protection against the Omicron variant.
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The GNCC will hold a webinar with Niagara Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mustafa Hirji on December 17. You can submit your questions about the Omicron variant, restrictions and measures, and other public-health-related issues by registering for free here.
Welland Council rejects transit amalgamation plan
The City of Welland became the first Niagara municipal government to reject a forward-thinking transit amalgamation plan last night, following supportive votes from Niagara Regional Council, Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, and St. Catharines.
In a media release (PDF link), the City asked that the financial model be updated for 2022 and requested that they be given almost twice the per-capita representation of St. Catharines and Niagara Falls in the governance structure. These issues were brought up at the November 25 Regional Council meeting as well, and the use of 2019 figures was justified because it was the most recent pre-pandemic year and was thus felt to offer an accurate reflection of what ridership and finances would be close to when the pandemic ended.
It was also pointed out at that meeting that the proposed structure provides proportional representation from all Niagara municipalities, plus a 20-member advisory panel of residents, business organizations, post-secondary institutions, and other key stakeholders. The plan also provides an external review of the governance structure after three years to ensure that it is fair and effective.
Welland Council also demanded that it be compensated for the “loss” of its transit fleet, even though the model guarantees that each municipality’s transit fleet will continue to operate in and for that municipality.
Although Welland’s vote is a setback for improved transit in Niagara, with eight municipalities still set to vote and as St. Catharines and Niagara Falls combined contain over half of Niagara’s total population, it is still possible for this plan to succeed. The triple majority requires a majority vote at Regional Council, for municipalities representing a majority of Niagara’s population to vote in favour (both of which have been achieved), and a simple majority of municipal governments in Niagara, meaning four more would have to give assent.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to provide Economic and Fiscal Update on December 14
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, will present the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021 in the House of Commons on December 14, 2021, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Special weather statement for Niagara region
Heavy rain and strong winds beginning tonight will extend into Saturday night. 20 to 45 mm of rain is expected with winds gusting between 90 and 110 km/h. Residents are advised that local power outages, flash floods, localized flooding, wash-outs, and downed tree branches are possible.
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Reading Recommendations
U.S. inflation rate spikes to 6.8% — highest level in almost 40 years
CBC News
The cost of living is increasing at its fastest pace in almost 40 years right now, with data out of the U.S. on Friday showing the country’s inflation rate hit 6.8 per cent last month.
The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics said Friday that higher costs for gasoline, shelter, food and new and used vehicles were the biggest factors in pushing the rate to its highest point since June of 1982.
Canadian data for November is not yet available, but it, too, is expected to rise from the 18-year high of 4.7 per cent it hit last month.
Tam urges Christmas caution as modelling shows potential for COVID-19 surge
CTV News
Keep your holiday gatherings small is the messaging from Canada’s top doctor, as new federal modelling points to a resurgence in COVID-19 infections in the coming weeks that could be further accelerated should the new Omicron variant take over.
The Delta variant remains the dominant strain in Canada and around the world, said Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam, but the spread of Omicron is increasing globally. In Canada, there are early signs of community spread.
While most of the 87 confirmed Omicron cases in Canada have been traced back to international travel and close contacts, cases with no known links to travel are starting to be reported, Tam noted during a press conference on Friday.
Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker
Niagara COVID vaccination tracker
Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses. Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, policies, forms, and posters for download and use, are available here. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.
Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.
