The Government of Ontario’s been the subject of a number of criticism lately for their Keeping Ontario Safe and Open framework, but the problems with that policy are being compounded by the problem of increasing COVID-19 cases. On Friday, the Premier and his cabinet tried to address some of those issues, and also announced some changes to the colour conditions in a number of areas, including our own. Continue reading “Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Moves Up the Ladder to Orange”
The colour-coded COVID-19 control system has been the subject of controversy and conversation since the moment it was released last week. But that controversy has gone up to a whole new level with a new media report that says while the plan was made in consultation with public health workers, it did not reflect their best advise on slowing the spread. Continue reading “Media Report Says Ontario Gov Rejected Public Health Advice on New Colour System”
Businesses of all shapes and sizes are struggling because of the pandemic, and doubly so now that it’s clear that were into a second wave of COVID-19. Small businesses especially need the extra help, and there are a number of government programs designed to give them a hand. Recently, Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield hosted a virtual gathering of Guelph business people with the government minister responsible for assisting them in this time of need. Continue reading “Economic Development Minister Meets with Guelph Businesses”
Earlier this week, the Government of Ontario announced their new colour-coded system for the province’s 34 health units to determine what level of COVID-19 restrictions are needed. The government said that there were going to release the starting point for all public health areas on Friday, and they did just that earlier this afternoon, but where is our own region, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph? We’re mellow yellow. Continue reading “It Turns on Saturday, Guelph and Area Will Be Yellow, Not Green”
A little over six months late from the actual start of the Provincial fiscal year, the Government of Ontario delivered the 2020-2021 budget with some of the usual fanfare. Called, “Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover,” the government insists that their budget will strengthen frontline health care, and offer support for businesses and workers, while laying the groundwork for the future. The opposition obviously disagrees. Continue reading “The Ontario Budget Has Lots of New Spending, Some Say Not Enough”
The last time that Dr. Nicola Mercer appeared on this podcast it was July, and things seemed to be going pretty good. Much of the province had been under a Stage 2 re-opening for weeks, and we were on the cusp of Stage 3. The virus wasn’t gone, but the number of new and active cases was on the right trajectory, but there were at the time rumblings about what would happen in the fall. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #245 – Still COVID [Fall Edition] with Dr. Mercer”
The fact that COVID-19 cases are increasing again is forcing the Government of Ontario to come up with a new and easy way of making sure Ontarians know where the danger lies, and the answer seems to be colour. On Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford and select members of his cabinet introduced the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, which will colour grade all 34 of the province’s health units from green to grey. Continue reading “Ontario Government Unveils New Colour-Coded Re-Opening Framework”
It’s one of the worst kept secrets of the pandemic that it has disproportionately affected long-term care homes and the elderly. According to the people charged with investigating those effects, 55 per cent of long-term care homes have experienced COVID-19 outbreaks, and 75 per cent of all COVID fatalities were in long-term care, and as we enter the second wave, those investigators have come forward with some immediate advice. Continue reading “Commission Says Long-Term Care Homes Need More People, More Time”
The end of October brings what will likely be a fairly lengthy discussion at council about the role the City should or needs to play in the creation of affordable and supportive housing in our town. Along with that agenda item there will be all the leftover items from the Committee of the Whole meeting plus a formal endorsement of a request for more financial aid from the upper levels of government. Continue reading “City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the October 26 Meeting?”
In what’s become a regular Friday occurrence for the last month, the end of the week came with an adjustment to the re-opening guidelines as the Government of Ontario tries again to slow the spread of COVID-19. This week, York Region joins Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa in Stage 2 as Ontario continues to deal with hundreds of new cases of the virus every day in a growing number of hot spots. Continue reading “York Region Joins Other Areas Back in Stage 2”
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