By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland-Peterborough South's MP and MPP are standing together with local partners to put forth the strongest possible response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Within an hour of Ontario Premier Doug Ford declaring a state of emergency, MP Philip Lawrence and MPP David Piccini concluded a conference call from Piccini's Port Hope office with the county's municipal leaders, mayors, chambers of commerce and health-care professionals to begin crafting a unified approach that can serve businesses and individuals best, right down to the most vulnerable Northumberland resident.
“We are a strong province because of our ingenuity, because of our resiliency,” Piccini said.
“These are trying times. Provincially, we have announced support for workers, businesses, for the hard-working men and women of this province and, of course, this country. Today was an important first step forward as we organize a response to COVID-19.”
Lawrenced thanked Piccini for arranging the calls that he said would get “everyone together, working on the same page. We all want to make sure we are taking care of business owners and workers.
“I have been working closely with our finance critic Pierre Poilievre to create ideas so we can be a constructive Opposition.”
Piccini referenced the $300-million package of enhanced measures announced by Premier Doug Ford, which includes help to long-term-care facilities, hospitals and first responders.
He also urged his constituents to spare a thought for the elderly and vulnerable.
“We continue to support Ontarians. The safety and security of Ontario is our government's number-one priority. I think the command table and the leadership we have seen from the premiers in terms of swift and quick response supports that.”
Lawrence urged anyone with questions to call his office at 905-372-8757, particularly those experiencing difficulties due to self-isolation and vulnerable seniors who need assistance.
“If it's myself dropping it off personally, we want to make sure seniors do not do without what they need – there is no Skip The Dishes in rural Northumberland.”
For those who can do their own shopping, he added, “the supply chain gives us a consistent message, both Federally and provincially: the supply chain is strong in Canada. As Premier Ford said, they are not stopping manufacturing. Food protections will stay in place. We don't need to hoard items, and I know the good people of Ontario won't do that, and there will continue to be food on the shelves.”
Ford himself has spoken with retailers and wholesalers within the past 48 hours, Piccini added.
“We are working to continue to ensure supply chains are viable. We know Federally and provincially, we need to maintain our food supply.
“From the Premier and the various ministers, we want people to be responsible and to not deviate from their normal purchasing habits.”
Piccini passed along the word that Ontario's cases are almost exclusively limited to those who have travelled directly as well as those who have been in close direct proximity with them.
“We stand ready and willing to mobilize any and all resources to support Ontarians at this time.”
Lawrence congratulated Ford for taking what he considers the right actions for Ontario.
“We need to get serious on the borders, and I congratulate Prime Minister Trudeau on taking the steps that he did, if a little bit late. Clearly this control will help.”
Lawrence did, however, take issue with Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair who, earlier in the crisis, referred to screening of incoming overseas travellers that – according to e-mails he has received – was in fact not in place.
The World Health Organization briefings have spoken of speed of response, Lawrence continued.
“The faster we respond, the better,” he said.
“Perfect is the enemy of fast. We can't be afraid to make mistakes, because we need to proceed in order to protect.
“In all fairness this is a first-in-a-lifetime thing. I think the Federal government particularly has done a solid job of trying to get ahead of this curve and flatten it.”
He listed measures announced by Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau to ease the fiscal strain on Canadians, like waivers of waiting time for Employment Insurance benefits.
“He has signalled we are going to be doing more, and the Federal government has brought in some enhancements to help business as well.
“I will be working every day, hard as I can, with great leaders like David Piccini to advocate for our business owners and workers to make sure no one gets left behind.”
“I have been working proactively with the Opposition on legislation to protect workers and those providing care for children as well, like day-care workers, because day-care and school closures will have an effect on those workers,” Piccini added.
“That's why the Minister of Labour introduced legislation retroactive to January, to the first presumptive case in Ontario.
“We have taken decisive action, declaring this emergency. We are protecting Ontario workers, we are protecting the health-care system to put the support and the financial means in place to provide the vital care Ontarians need.
“Today we saw all levels of government on a call here locally, and that was an important step. What we are seeing is a whole-of-government approach to support Ontarians and Canadians in these trying times, providing support for those who need it and, going forward, we all stand ready to continue to provide the resources we need and the local leadership to support and care for those in need.”
Lawrence closed the event with an expression of optimism.
“We are the country that won Vimy Ridge, that went through World War I and then World War II, so we are a great nation. Ultimately, it's not any government official - it's individuals, it's Canadians taking the right steps to self-isolate, to make sure they use the appropriate hygiene to flatten the cure and stop this. I know Canadians, and I know we are going to get this done.”
