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www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #97 February 2021 25
Notes from Our Federal and Provincial Representatives
Stormont-Dundas-South Stormont-Dundas-South
Glengarry MP Glengarry MPP
Interview Interview
with with
MP Eric Duncan MPP Jim MacDonell
e have learned a lot about COVID-19 over the past year. Like any virus, we know that
Standing Up for Our Wit continues to survive and change by spreading to people without the antibodies to stop
it. This past month has seen the area’s highest positivity rates since it first reached here last
Small Businesses March. We know the new, more contagious variant is in Ontario, and while challenging to
stop, it can be beaten if we remove its ability to spread. With our most vulnerable receiving
their vaccinations, we need everyone’s commitment to take up the fight to seriously reduce our
active cases to allow us to get our children back to school and open our small businesses. We all
his past year has showed us that now more than ever, we need to
need to take personal responsibility and follow the essential practices of reducing transmission.
Tsupport our local businesses, especially during these trying times. Stay home unless you need to purchase food or essential items or to go to work. If you must go
Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy and they employ out, maintain two meters of separation and wear a mask.
nearly half of the people in the country’s private sector. Staying at home has taken on a new importance, as we must bring down our numbers to a
Please remember that most retail businesses and restaurants are still open safer level. Our health care system has become overloaded, requiring the cancellation of many
during lockdowns for curbside pickup and delivery. Give them a call or email procedures to maintain a minimum emergency capacity. We have seen places around the globe
where people were turned away from their hospitals, and that is not where we want to go. After
before making an order elsewhere to see if you can make your purchase
a year of long hours and very little time off, our emergency and front-line workers are tired, and
locally. stress levels are high. Along with the vaccination rollout, these measures will allow our children
Since the pandemic began, MPP Jim McDonell and I have visited dozens to get back to school, our businesses to open again, and our lives to return to normal. On this
of local businesses to check in on their owners and staff. We worked to ensure front, I am pleased to report the government is investing an additional $1,690,700 to support
they were able to tap into business loans, wage subsidies, and other financial further prevention and containment efforts in long-term care homes in Stormont-Dundas-
South Glengarry, as well as Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. The following is the breakdown in
supports to get them through COVID-19. If you are a business owner that
our riding: Heartwood, $214,100; Dundas Manor, $184,800; St. Joseph’s, $97,000; Woodland
would like a visit, please contact our office and we’d be pleased to safely Villa, $87,500; Sandfield Place, $71,700; Parisien Manor, $69,500; Lancaster Long Term
connect with you. Care, $67,000; Tsiionkwanonhsote, $47,000; Glen-Stor-Dun Lodge, $41,900. As well in North
Our Conservative team in Ottawa has fought hard to pressure and make Glengarry, Maxville Manor is receiving $122,100 and The Palace, $89,900.
important changes to key federal support programs during the COVID-19 Life as your MPP has been far from normal during these times. People and organizations
pandemic that have allowed more businesses to qualify for help and reduce have adapted to the virtual meeting. This month, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association
unnecessary red tape; (ROMA) held its annual conference. As Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal
• Increased Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) from 10% to Affairs and Housing, I attended many of these virtual meetings with municipal representatives
from across Ontario, personally chairing about a dozen of them. This was another opportunity
75% to keep millions of Canadians in their jobs. for municipal leaders to express their needs and concerns to their provincial government and
• Expanded eligibility to $40,000 Canada Emergency Business learn about the various programs available to weather this pandemic and put their municipality
Account (CEBA) to help more small businesses qualify. back on the road to recovery. We announced a number of investments to continue modernizing
• Stopped CRA audits during COVID-19 as businesses fight to survive. municipalities, upgrade municipal infrastructure, such as roads and drinking water systems, and
• Removed requirement to have landlord apply for Canada Emergency to help agricultural and horticultural societies prepare for the upcoming events season.
Rent Subsidy (CERS). Early on, we realized the need to encourage businesses, big and small, to transform their
operations to get through this pandemic and quickly recover from its devastating impact. Our
I will continue to be a strong voice for businesses across Stormont-Dundas-
recent budget included $4.8 billion to support a robust long-term recovery that helps workers,
South Glengarry. Together, we will get through this pandemic and come out employers, and communities get back on their feet while building the foundation for recovery
stronger than before. and growth. One such program, the Ontario Small Business Support Grant, provides between
$10,000 and $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations due
to the Province-wide Shutdown, which helped stop the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases in
Match Your Area Knowledge Ontario. The program has already received over 48,000 applications and is available at www.
Play Thom’s Trivia Ontario.ca/COVIDsupport.
Our provincial vaccination program is progressing well, with Ontario administering almost
Question 1 92% of the vaccines it received as of this past Thursday morning, second to Alberta at 94%.
1. What would set you back between .50 and We received the disappointing news that Pfizer vaccines will be severely cut back over the next
few weeks to allow for plant improvements in its Belgium plant. The company believes that it
.75 cents in 1900-1905? will be able to meet and exceed its end-of-March commitment. Premier Ford was particularly
Question 2 disappointed to hear that our previous reduction numbers were reduced to zero for the week and
diverted elsewhere. Despite the tough national news, I want to complement our local Medical
2. What did Cornwall native, Blanche Young Officer of Health, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, and his vaccination team for their progress, inoculating
do on January 22, 1916 at the Victoria Arena? the staff and residents at twelve of our region’s sixteen long-term care homes. While the EOHU
will not receive any supplies next week, they are still on track to complete the area’s homes by
Question 3 February 15.
3. Why did many of the town’s single ladies In closing, please do not hesitate to call our office if you require assistance or wish to pass
on an idea or advice that will help us get through this pandemic. Please visit https://www.
show up to watch a hockey game in March every
ontario.ca/page/covid-19-support-people if you want to access one or more of many programs
winter, ca 1910-1919? and services.
Turn to page 26 for Answers Remember to stay home, stay safe, and save lives.
