Here are today’s new developments:
- Canada announced a new commercial rent subsidy program, to be funded jointly by the provinces – the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses said the program may rely too much on landlords to administer, and may not provide adequate support to hard-hit businesses. -- the Official Opposition warns that substantial gaps in the rent relief program will see many businesses unable to survive the pandemic.
- The Ontario Superior Court ruled in favour of The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) and its members working in long-term care facilities, ordering four long-term care homes to provide workers with PPE including N95 masks, and the right to wear them.
- The Canadian military will begin to support five Ontario long-term care homes hit hard by outbreaks of COVID-19 - the Official Opposition has been urging the Ford government to take long overdue action on the crisis facing long-term care.
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General Motors announced that it will use part of its Oshawa plant to make masks for health care workers - a request that Oshawa MPP Jennifer French originally put to Doug Ford in a letter.
Here are some concerns the Official Opposition is working on, and solutions we’re pushing for:
- With May 1 just around the corner, the Official Opposition is fighting for an 80% rent subsidy for renters, up to $2,500 a month.
- The Official Opposition is flagging that the new commercial rent support program has massive gaps that leave many businesses out, and is calling on the Ontario government to fill them.