COVID-19 Information
Dear Neighbours,
Today the Ontario government announced that a system to certify vaccination status will be rolled out over coming months.
Proof of Vaccination comes to Ontario next week. While it is arriving too late and with too many exemptions, certificates are urgently needed. I made these graphics to help you understand what the rules will be. To ⬇ 💉🧾https://t.co/a3Goc3i3Qb #Onpoli #TorCen #TorontoCentre pic.twitter.com/73DZPtrPyP
— Suze Morrison (@SuzeMorrison) September 16, 2021
We should already have vaccine certificates in Ontario. But despite the rise of the fourth wave and schools re-opening soon, vaccine certificates aren’t coming soon enough for the small businesses that have been struggling without provincial guidance to keep their customers and staff safe. The government must work with experts, businesses and communities to address the gaps, and roll out vaccine certificates without delay.
These mandatory requirements would not apply to:
- Outdoor settings where the risk of transmission is lower, including patios, with the exception of outdoor nightclub spaces given the risk associated with the setting.
- Settings where people receive medical care, food from grocery stores, medical supplies and the like.
- Individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical exemptions will be permitted entry with a doctor’s note until recognized medical exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate.
- Children who are 11 years of age and younger and unable to be vaccinated will also be exempted from these requirements.
We hope to soon have updates and more information for you about how:
- Ontario will also introduce an enhanced digital vaccine receipt that features a QR code, which is safe, more secure and with you wherever you go. This digital vaccine receipt can be kept on a phone and easily used to show that you've been vaccinated if you need to.
- The province will launch a new app to make it easier and more convenient for businesses and organizations to read and verify that a digital vaccine receipt is valid, while protecting your privacy.
- Ontario will develop and provide additional tools to improve user experience, efficiency and business supports in the coming weeks, including establishing alternative tools for people with no email, health card or ID.
- The government will work to support implementation of vaccine certificates for Indigenous communities whether or not they have opted to enter their data into COVaxON, while maintaining Indigenous data governance, control, access and possession principles.
Ontarians currently have access to a paper or PDF vaccine receipt that includes all relevant information to prove that they are fully vaccinated.
You can read the government announcement here.
Click here for local vaccine updates
Request a shop local sign here!
Sign the petition for Paid Sick Days here
Toronto Public Health has just rolled out a new tool where people can pre-register for their vaccine appointment. After registering you will receive a follow up call to book your vaccine when the time comes.
Right now Toronto Public Health is only accepting pre-registrations for people 80 years and older, high-priority healthcare workers, and Indigenous adults. A person can pre-register themselves or have a family member or friend help them.
You can access the tool here: https://vaccineto.ca/landing
Or you an call them at 1-888-385-1910
I hope that this news lifts your spirits and that we can all get vaccinated soon. MPP Morrison is continuing to push the government for greater clarity on when other groups can expect to be prioritized.
To keep updated on the latest news about the vaccine rollout, check these links regularly:
- Ontario: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine-ontario
- Toronto Public Helath: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-protect-yourself-others/covid-19-vaccines/
Click here to sign the petition!
See art made by community members to build community care.
Do you have an experience about tenant rights that you want to share with MPP Suze Morrison? Let us know here!
You can now connect with MPP Suze Morrison and your neighbours on my new podcast, Stories for Change.
I support MPP Andrea Horwath's proposals for $2000 in emergency income for everyone who has lost work or hours due to this pandemic, and for tenants who have lost income to receive an 80% rent-subsidy up to $2,500.
My Office has also put together these pages about some of the concerns we hear most:
- What supports are being provided by Government?
- What income support is the province providing?
- What happens if I am threatened with an eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Toronto.ca/coronavirus: Information from Toronto Public Health on local cases, how to protect yourself and where to seek further medical support.
- Ontario.ca/coronavirus: Information from Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long Term Care — find out how to protect yourself, what to do if you’re sick and how to recognize possible symptoms. Updated twice daily, in 30 languages.
- Canada.ca/coronavirus: Information from the Government of Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada — updates on the national response, travel advice and preparedness.
- Travel.gc.ca: Important travel advisories and restrictions related to COVID-19, from the Government of Canada.
- Telehealth Ontario: For medical advice, you may contact Telehealth Ontario, a free, confidential service — telephone: 1-866-797-0000
Toronto Public Health Hotline: Telephone: 416-338-7600 [Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. (closed on statutory holidays). Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Translation is available in many languages.] Email: [email protected]
