Canada begins to relax travel measures
On July 5, Canada partially eased travel restrictions for citizens and permanent residents. Fully vaccinated Canadians re-entering the country are no longer required to self-quarantine, given that they show proof of appropriate vaccination and receive a negative COVID-19 test no more than three days prior to arrival.
At a press conference in Sault Ste. Marie on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the government planned to release details regarding next steps of reopening “in the coming weeks”. He made the same statement at a different press conference over two weeks ago.
Current border restrictions are set to expire July 21.
Mary Simon named first Indigenous governor general
Earlier this week, Canada appointed Mary Simon as the country’s 30th governor general. Simon is the first Indigenous person to hold the post in Canadian history.
Simon is a former diplomat and an advocate for Inuit rights and culture. She has represented the Inuit to the Canadian government and the United Nations, including work that led to the Inuit people’s inclusion in the Constitution in 1982. Simon has worked with the Inuit Circumpolar Council and the Arctic Council. She was also Canadian Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs and Canadian Ambassador to Denmark.
What3Words app recently launched in Niagara, proven a success
What3Words is a free app that generates a unique three-word identifier to pinpoint an individual’s location if he or she is lost and requires assistance. It allows first responders to use a grid of 3 by 3 metre squares to accurately and quickly be dispatched to the precise location.
The app was recently launched in Niagara and helped police in Milton successfully locate two individuals lost in Kelso Conservation Area this past weekend. That same day another group of hikers were lost in the Hilton Falls Conservation Area, and without the app, the K9 Unit had to be called in.
Welland appoints existing senior staffer as new permanent CAO
Following an extensive recruitment process stretching across many months, Welland named current CFO and interim CAO Steve Zorbas the city’s new permanent Chief Administrative Officer. Zorbas has more than 35 years of municipal experience working for the City of Mississauga, Richmond Hill, and Burlington. Zorbas has built a comprehensive career portfolio in various leadership roles and brings extensive corporate experience with him, including seven years with the City of Welland.
“I am pleased with the decision to appoint Mr. Steve Zorbas to the position of CAO,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “Steve has proven to be a valuable, competent, and creative leader here in Welland. I want to thank Mr. Zorbas for his previous service and look forward to continuing to have him work with myself and Council through these very busy times.”
Zorbas moved immediately into his new permanent role on Wednesday.
Over 200 Niagara residents to be re-vaccinated due to mix-up
Six patients at the Vale Centre in Port Colborne received a saline solution instead of the Pfizer vaccine on June 16. Out of an abundance of caution, Niagara Public Health contacted 205 individuals that had appointments that day to book a repeat vaccination.
The Pfizer vaccine has two components, the vaccine concentrate and the saline diluent, which are in separate vials that get mixed together before administration. The six individuals in question solely received the diluent; therefore, there are no additional health risks involved, over and above COVID-19 concerns.
Ontario to support modernization of small and rural communities
The Ontario government is providing up to $1,481,855 to help improve the delivery of critical programs and services in Niagara. The funding will be provided through the Municipal Modernization Program and will support many projects within Pelham, Lincoln, West Lincoln, Grimsby, Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Thorold, Port Colborne and Welland.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need to deliver programming more efficiently so that people can access the services they need, when they need them,” stated Sam Oosterhoof, MPP for Niagara West.
“These projects will ensure that our community will benefit from innovative and streamlined solutions in a way that will positively impact services and save taxpayers’ dollars.”
Ontario creates a regulated online gaming market
The Ontario government establishes a new subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to operate and manage new online gaming offerings.
“Following Parliament’s historic vote to lift the prohibition on single-event sport wagering last month, the establishment of iGaming Ontario is another pivotal milestone in our work to ensure people have access to a safe and regulated online gaming market by the end of the year,” said Attorney General Doug Downey.
This step will create a safe, regulated and competitive online gaming market which will help protect consumers and provide more choice, while also ensuring a level playing field for new businesses.
Blue Jays hope to return home to Toronto this season
After 16 months of rigid travel restrictions, the Toronto Blue Jays have submitted a proposal to the federal government to return to the Rogers Centre this season after receiving support from both the city and the province.
While the Canada-US border remains closed to non-essential travel until at least July 21, the federal government eased restrictions on Monday, allowing fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents to skip the quarantine when returning to Canada.
Ottawa allowed for a travel exemption for the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs and provided approval for CFL players and staff to return to Canada without the 14-day quarantine.
Weekly COVID-19 update
As of July 7, there were 6 new COVID-19 cases, 104 active cases and 8 new resolved cases.
St. Catharines continues to have the greatest number of cases with 35. Niagara Falls and Grimsby follow with 17 and 10, while all other municipalities have 7 or less.
8,869 new doses were administered on July 7, with 500,000 total doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered to Niagara residents.
66.8 per cent of residents have their first dose; while 37.7 per cent have a complete series.
