We are now getting settled into a four week province wide stay-at-home order.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford is asking for patience and understanding as they feel strongly that 40% of the population will be vaccinated at the end of the shutdown.
“If that’s the case then we, and I’ve heard this from the Chief Medical Officer, we would not be looking at any more consequential shutdowns or lockdowns or what have you moving forward.”
Rickford says he knows it’s frustrating given the low COVID numbers in the north but is something that needs to be done given variant and hospital capacity concerns.
Small businesses are once again dealing with curbside pick-up and innovative ways to stay afloat due to the order.
Rickford says the government has taken real action to support them throughout the pandemic.
“I think we are doing everything possible for them. What our hope is and what we’re in hot pursuit of is vaccinating our population. We want to get back into those small stores. It’s what characterizes our love for small towns and cities in northern Ontario.”
Rickford notes the Northern Ontario Recovery program spent more than $26 million to support small businesses and tourism outfitters and the government has also provided hydro, rent, employee subsidy and other relief.
The provincial government also has no plans to bring back the energy rebate program that local residents enjoyed during previous stay-at-home orders.
Greg Rickford is the Minister of Energy and says the program is fully matured.
“With the innovation we introduced that people had an option between the tiered rates and the off-time model, we think that people have a choice that will be just about as competitive as a flat rate relief program.”
Rickford notes this order is different than previous ones as a lot of people are still going to work and kids are back in school.
