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.

Ontario moves into Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen

Today, Ontario has officially begun Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen plan, hopefully marking the beginning of a successful reopening process and economic recovery. Visit gncc.ca/roadmap-to-reopen-step-one-what-you-need-to-know for a guide on what to expect and what your obligations are.

Canada is easing its travel restrictions. Here’s what you need to know

After more than a year of travel restrictions that have impacted most Canadians, the federal government has finally begun to ease the rules, the CBC is reporting.

Ottawa has embarked on Phase 1 of a multiphase approach to lift its travel restrictions. However, the government warns that the process will be gradual — based on scientific data and not people’s pleas to reopen the borders.

Here’s what changes are happening soon and what to expect as more Canadians get vaccinated.

Average national case count drops more than 80% since third wave peak

Canadian Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam today announced that the average national case count had dropped more than 80% since the peak of the third wave to under 1,550 cases reported daily. Likewise, the average number of people with COVID-19 being treated in our hospitals each day has dropped almost 60% since the peak to less than 1,850 daily. Of these, on average, less than 800 were being treated in intensive care units, which is down more than 45% from the peak, and average daily deaths are down 40% to 31 deaths being reported daily.

As of June 4th, 70% of the eligible population, aged 12 years or older, have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 9% have received two doses.

Ontario will extend temporary wage increase for personal support workers

The Ontario government is investing $141 million to extend the temporary wage increase for personal support workers and direct support workers in publicly funded home and community care, long-term care, public hospitals, and social services sectors. This temporary wage increase will continue until August 23, 2021.

The province has been providing a temporary wage increase since October 1, 2020, to over 158,000 workers who deliver publicly funded personal support services.

Reading Recommendations

How Homeownership Can Reduce Inequality

Canadian Real Estate Association

For many Canadians, a home represents a secure, stable asset and an investment in their future.

Despite the challenges with housing affordability across the country, research shows homeownership can play a significant role in reducing inequality—with benefits that extend across income levels, ages and regions.

This isn’t limited to high-income households—in fact, it’s more significant for lower-income households, according to data laid out in our recently released white paper, The Homeownership Dividend for Canadians. For many lower-income households, a principal residence may be their only source of wealth, which means the benefits are even more pronounced.

Canada proposes to settle indigenous lawsuit after discovery of children’s remains

Reuters

Canada has reached a proposed settlement with a group of indigenous survivors of the now-defunct residential schools for the abuse they suffered, a federal minister said on Wednesday, ending a 14-year fight for justice.

The settlement comes as the government is scrambling to deal with a national outcry after the remains of 215 indigenous children were discovered at a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. The government has been under pressure to stop legally opposing indigenous people’s requests for compensationand acknowledgement in court following the discovery.

Under the latest agreement, the government will provide C$10,000 ($8,259.00) to each survivor involved in the class action lawsuit and create a C$50 million indigenous-led nonprofit to support wellbeing and cultural learning.