From the extension of the CERB to the reopening of restaurant patios, here is what we saw in the news this week.
CERB: Federal government grants 8 week extension
In a press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government would be extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) by 8 weeks.
Prior to this announcement it was expected that the initial round of CERB would expire by July.
However, not all Canadians found themselves back to work as regions entered Stage 2 of reopening across the country. This left many Canadians unsure as to how they would be able to pay for their bills and necessities while the country got back on track.
“The reality is that there are three million people out of work who are looking for work, and even as our economy is reopening, there are many, many more people out of work, willing to work, than there are jobs available,” Trudeau said during the press conference.
An attestation will be in place on July 5, which will notify those that continue to get CERB that the government expects them to be actively looking for work. With the attestation, the Canada Revenue Agency may ask applicants to provide information to verify that they have been looking for work.
Canada-U.S. border remains closed for an additional 30 days
Despite the country having begun to reopen the economy, the Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel until July 21, at the earliest.
The border was originally set to open on June 21 until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Tuesday that the closure would be extended an additional 30 days.
CBC reports that the ban on non-essential travel covers the land border between the two countries as well as air, sea, and rail travel into Canada. However, non-essential travel by air and seas to the U.S. is still allowed.
It is also noted that the federal government will allow some immediate family members separated by the pandemic travel restrictions to cross. This refers to foreign nationals who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens, who do not have COVID-19, or have not shown symptoms indicative of the virus.
Select restaurant patios are now open for business
The City of Guelph entered Stage 2 of economic reopening last Friday, June 12, and with that has come the return of restaurant patio season.
Many restaurants, at greatly reduced capacity, opened up their patios across the city.
While this is good news for those who like to sit on the patio for food and drink, there are strict COVID-19 guidelines to follow to reduce and prevent the spread of the virus.
For example, Montana’s on Stone Road only has four to five available tables on their patio, with floor tape to show walking guidelines so there is no crossover in foot traffic. Guests are required to wear a mask until they have sat down at their table.
Ipsos reported that restaurants have faced big losses stemming from the decline or lack of business generated during the quarantine lockdown, and expects the Canadian foodservice industry as a whole to shrink by at least 26 per cent throughout the remainder of the year.
Shop safe: Stone Road Mall has reopened
With Stage 2 of the economic reopening of the province underway in the City of Guelph, more and more local businesses are reopening under strict health guidelines.
Stone Road Mall is no exception, having reopened last Friday at about 40 per cent of its store capacity.
This number is expected to grow in the following days.
Stores that are currently open ask patrons to abide by certain health and safety practices outlined by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, which include wearing a face covering and using store-provided hand sanitizer.
Some retailers are also taking additional precautionary measures.
EB Games in the mall asks that if you choose not to buy an item that you handled you bring it to the register for sanitization.
Construction on the new wing of Stone Road Mall has also resumed, which is reported to include a HomeSense, Toys “R” Us, and a Mark’s clothing store.
“They have been back at it about a month now and they are pushing hard to make up for lost time,” Kevin Knight, general manager of Stone Road Mall, told GuelphToday.
Federal government announces funding to support victims of sex trafficking in Canada
On June 15 the Ontario government announced in a news release that over the next five years they would be investing up to $46 million to “increase community-based and Indigenous-specific supports for child and youth victims of sex trafficking.”
“Human trafficking isn’t just an enforcement issue — it’s a vicious and violent crime that preys on our most vulnerable, robbing them of their health, safety and dignity,” Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said in the release.
“By investing in intervention and specialised services for young people, we can reduce the threat of exploitation and protect those most at risk.”
Agencies and partners who focus on trauma-informed programming, dedicated services for victims under the age of 18, and culturally-appropriate, Indigenous-designed supports for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis victims will be eligible for the funding.
“These programs are vital components of Ontario’s comprehensive plan to combat human trafficking, bring traffickers to justice and end this heinous crime,” Jones said.
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