Ontario Onwards Action Plan
The Ontario government launched its new Action Plan, Ontario Onwards: Ontario’s COVID-19 Action Plan for a People-Focused Government to make government services simpler, more accessible, and convenient. The plan has over 30 projects including developing a digital identity, based on digital wallet technology, by the end of 2021.
Creating a digital identity for Ontarians was identified by AMO and LAS as a key step in helping municipalities move towards more digital government service delivery especially as better quality high-speed internet and broadband access is expanded to unserved and underserved areas. More details are expected on these projects in the coming months.
Emergency Order Changes
Ontario extended most orders under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) by 30 days until November 21, 2020, with exemptions for consumer electricity prices and access to personal health information through electronic health records.
The Province also amended emergency orders for modified Stage 2 regions (Toronto, Ottawa, York, and Peel Regions) to allow classes teaching or training dancers provided conditions are met. Regulations for Stage 2 and Stage 3 areas have been amended also to remove restrictions on in-person instruction for fire departments, similar to police training.
Provincial Investment for Schools and Child Care
This week, the government announced that it will invest $550 million to build and upgrade schools in 2020-21. The initiative will add 870 new licensed child care spaces into the schools. The government has reconfirmed their commitment to create up to 30,000 new child care spaces over five years, including up to 10,000 spaces in new schools. AMO has advocated for effective child care as a critical service for investment in the COVID-19 recovery.
AMO’s COVID-19 Resources page is being updated continually so you can find critical information in one place. Please send any of your municipally related pandemic questions to covid19@amo.on.ca .
*Disclaimer: The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is unable to provide any warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of third-party submissions. Distribution of these items does not imply an endorsement of the views, information or services mentioned.