Newsletter - Feb. 18, 2022
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been focused on protecting the health and safety of Canadians by following the latest science. The most recent data indicates that the Omicron wave has passed its peak in Canada, allowing us to lighten COVID-19 border measures and move towards a more long-term approach to managing COVID-19.
This transition is possible because of our high vaccination rates and the increasing availability of rapid tests. As we have said all along, Canada’s border measures will remain flexible and adaptable, guided by science and prudence.
As of February 28, 2022:
Travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, will be randomly selected for arrival testing and will no longer be required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.
Children under 12 years old, travelling with fully vaccinated adults, will continue to be exempt from quarantine, without any prescribed conditions limiting their activities.
Travellers will now have the option of using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result or a molecular test result to meet pre-entry requirements.
The Government of Canada will also adjust its Travel Health Notice from a Level 3 to a Level 2 meaning that the Government will no longer recommend that Canadians avoid travel for non-essential purposes.
The Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser
Join The Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser on February 26, 2022 to support those experiencing homelessness, More Than A Meal, those who are struggling with mental health issues, and Camp Dakota.
The Coldest Night of the Year is a COVID-friendly virtual 2k or 5k walk with your own household and in your own neighbourhood. This year, my Youth Council will be participating in The Coldest Night of the Year to support Front Line Outreach. For more information, click here. To support my Youth Council, click here.
Black History Month Community Roundtable
Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting local Black owned and operated businesses and community leaders for a Black History Month roundtable. We discussed the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Black businesses and the lived realities of Black business owners in Oakville. This month, as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Black Canadians, we also acknowledge the social, economic and political barriers caused by anti-Black racism and discrimination. I am committed to continuing to work with Oakville's Black community to combat systemic anti-Black racism and support Black economic empowerment. I look forward to more of these conversations.
Reminder: Pre-Budget Consultations
Nearly two years ago, our government put in place an economic response plan with unprecedented measures to meet the unprecedented challenge of the pandemic. Our plan is working - we have now surpassed our target of creating a million jobs. As of December, we have recovered 108 per cent of the jobs lost at the peak of the pandemic.
As we emerge from the pandemic, our national focus must be jobs and growth – priorities that will form the foundation of Budget 2022. These pre-budget consultations are an opportunity for Canadians across the country to share their ideas and priorities about how we can create new jobs and build a greener, more competitive, more innovative, more inclusive, and more resilient Canada. I encourage all Canadians to visit LetsTalkBudget2022.ca to share their views about how to best grow the Canadian economy. To learn more, click here.
Keeping Our Communities Safe
For 18 days now, blockades have been illegally disrupting the life of Canadians, harming our economy, and endangering public safety. Whether in Ottawa, Windsor, Coutts or Emerson, these blockades are endangering jobs. They're a threat to our economy and public safety and they're hurting our small businesses and our neighbours. At the border, they’re impacting trade, our supply chains and manufacturing. The people these blockades are hurting the most are every day families, auto assembly workers, farmers, truckers, and blue-collar Canadians.
It is now clear that there are serious challenges to local law enforcements’ ability to effectively enforce the law. That is why we have invoked the Emergencies Act to supplement Provincial and Territorial authorities to address the blockades and occupation to keep Canadians safe, protect people’s jobs, and restore confidence in our institutions. Through the Emergencies Act, we are providing new authorities to law enforcement to regulate crowds, prohibit blockades and keep essential corridors open.
These measures are targeted, temporary and proportionate, and we are invoking them only after exhausting other options. This is about keeping Canadians safe, protecting people’s jobs and restoring confidence in our institutions.