Dear Neighbours, It has been another busy week, engaging virtually with small businesses, workers, seniors, students, and families as we navigate the impacts of COVID-19. Last week, I joined our community in a demonstration against anti-Black racism at Chinguacousy Park. In Brampton, we are blessed by our diversity with one of the largest Black communities in Canada. Together, we are united in this fight and the message is clear. More needs to be done to address systemic racism in this country. I’m proud to sit as an ally on the Parliamentary Black Caucus and last week, I joined colleagues across party lines to demand immediate action. We’re calling on all levels of Government in Canada to recognize anti-Black racism and commit to ending systemic racism in this country. It’s time for full public transparency. Read our statement, including 46 calls to action here: https://bit.ly/3hEtW1G. In the Health Committee, I was pleased to hear from the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food that funding under the $100 million investment to support food insecurity is reaching those in need. This week I also joined Cancer Warrior to facilitate food donations with the Boys and Girls Club of Peel, and Roots Community Services. Together, we delivered hampers full of food and prepared hot meals which will support low-income families in Brampton South. Finally, a new Drive-Thru Assessment Centre has opened in our community! William Osler Health System has opened the Brampton Drive-Thru COVID-19 Assessment Centre, located in the north parking lot of the South Fletcher’s Sportsplex, at McLaughlin Road and Ray Lawson Blvd. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week, with no need for a referral. The Peel Memorial testing location has closed. As always, my office and I are here to help with any questions or feedback and can be reached by phone at 905-846-0076 or by email at [email protected]. Stay Safe, Sonia Sidhu, M.P. Brampton South. CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT (CERB) EXTENDED

• This week, the Prime Minister announced that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be extended for 8 weeks. This extension will make the benefit available to eligible workers for up to a total of 24 weeks.
• Our federal government introduced the CERB to immediately help workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so they could continue to put food on the table and pay their bills during this challenging time. As we begin to restart the economy and get people back on the job, Canadians receiving the benefit should be actively seeking work opportunities or planning to return to work, provided they are able and it is reasonable to do so.
• That is why the government will also make changes to the CERB attestation, which will encourage Canadians to receive the benefit to find employment and consult Job Bank, Canada’s national employment service that offers tools to help with job searches.

MORE SMALL BUSINESSES SOON ELIGIBLE FOR CANADA EMERGENCY BUSINESS ACCOUNT LOANS

• Our government is here for small businesses, which continue to face economic uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On Monday, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau announced that as of Friday, June 19, 2020, applications will be accepted so that more small businesses can access the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA).
• Owner-operated small businesses that had been ineligible for the program due to their lack of payroll, sole proprietors receiving business income directly, as well as family-owned corporations remunerating in the form of dividends rather than payroll will become eligible this week.
• Eligible businesses will qualify for financing of up to $40,000, with 25% of this being forgivable based on the current terms of CEBA loans.
• Businesses can contact their primary financial institution for more information or to apply directly for CEBA. More information on the expanded CEBA can be found on the program’s website.

NEW SECURITY MEASURES ANNOUNCED FOR CANADIAN TRAVELLERS

• Our government’s highest priority is the safety and security of Canadians.
• The Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau has announced that all passengers travelling to Canada or departing Canadian airports for either international or domestic destinations will now require temperature screenings.
• Travellers boarding international flights to Canada will have their temperatures checked at their departing airports starting later this month.
• Screening for passengers on domestic flights and for those travelling from Canada to other countries will be in place at the country’s four largest airports by the end of July, followed by the next 11 largest airports by the end of September.
• Employees and personnel that enter or work in the restricted area of the airport will be subject to temperature screening procedures by Canadian Air Transport Security Authority personnel.
• All passengers who have an elevated temperature and do not have a medical certificate to explain a medical or physical condition that would result in an elevated temperature, will not be permitted to continue their travel and will be asked to re-book after 14 days.

TIPS ON STAYING SAFE AND HEALTHY COVID-19 remains a serious health threat and Canadians are encouraged to continue practicing physical distancing. Continue to follow public health and safety enforced measures to keep our communities safe. Wash your hands frequently, and wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible. To stay up to date: Federal updates: http://canada.ca/coronavirus Provincial updates: http://ontario.ca/coronavirus Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000 Region of Peel: http://peelregion.ca/coronavirus/ or  905-799-7700 Feel free to reach out to the Government of Canada’s coronavirus information line (1-833-784-4397), it is available from 7:00 a.m. to midnight (EST) seven days a week.