| News Release
March 28, 2020 Offenders face fines of up to $500,000 for charging unfair prices on necessary goodsTORONTO — Today, Premier Doug Ford announced new penalties to combat price gouging and hold offenders accountable for raising prices significantly on the necessary goods Ontarians need to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19. Effective immediately, the government has issued an emergency order that retail businesses and individuals in Ontario cannot charge unfair prices for necessary goods. Individual offenders can face a ticket of $750, or, if summoned to court and convicted, could face a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and one year in jail. If convicted, a company director or officer could face a fine of up to $500,000 and up to a year in jail, and a corporation could face a fine of up to $10 million. “Starting today, we are taking serious steps to ensure our frontline workers, our families and our most vulnerable citizens have what they need to stay safe,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We are putting an end to those trying to profit off of one of the darkest periods in our province’s history. If you’re engaging in price gouging on necessary goods, we are going to slap you with a ticket or you could face fines or jail time.” Necessary goods include:
“As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve provincially and globally, we are seeing a shortage of necessary goods available to the public, such as hand sanitizers and household cleaners,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. “We will not tolerate those taking advantage of these difficult times to charge unfair and unreasonable prices. It is not right and our government is taking swift and decisive action to put an end to it with extremely stiff penalties.” Consumers can report an individual who is price gouging by filing a complaint at 1-800-889-9768 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, or by filing a report online. |
QUICK FACTS
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COVID-19 | March 27, 2020
The City of Mississauga’s Economic Development Office has launched a new dedicated online resource for the business community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The web portal will be a one-stop site for businesses to get the latest information on government updates, relief packages and services offered by the City.
COVID-19 Business Relief Portal
The page also includes a COVID-19 Business Relief Portal. The Business Relief Portal is a self-selection tool that helps identify relief programs and incentives that best apply to specific business needs and links to the government source of support. It also includes information on employee support, financial assistance and upcoming webinars and training sessions, offered by the City, that include topics such as building online/ecommerce to help Mississauga businesses mitigate the economic impacts as a result of COVID-19.
“We understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on local businesses. Many are concerned about how they will weather this economic storm. Our City has taken measures where possible, such as deferring taxes to reduce financial stress during this challenging time. Our Economic Development Office is equipped and ready to support our businesses, small and large, with one-on-one support. We will continue to consult with our Economic Development Advisory Board as this situation unfolds and support local manufacturers interested in retooling their operations to produce essential medical supplies needed to battle this virus,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie.
Mayor Bonnie Crombie and City Councillors continue to meet virtually with members of Mississauga’s Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the local economy, as well as possible solutions to this economic challenge.
“This is a difficult time for many businesses and employees here in Mississauga and our Economic Development Office is committed to ensuring business operators and employees have the information they need to make informed decisions,” said Bonnie Brown, Director of Economic Development. “We continue to work closely with all levels of government and regional partners to provide the most up-to-date information for companies to learn how they can gain access to the programs and relief opportunities available to them.”
The Economic Development Office remains virtually operational offering:
· Business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday at 905-896-5016
· Business Advisors ready to provide guidance and support with the emerging and immediate needs of the business community
· Webinars and online training to entrepreneurs and small businesses replacing previously scheduled in person seminars
· Information about provincial and federal support for businesses at thefutureisunlimited.ca/covid-19.
To learn about the latest updates on actions taken by the City of Mississauga to support local businesses visit mississauga.ca/coronavirus or follow @CityMississauga on Twitter.
For health information, please visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus
Stormwater Charge Deferral By 90 Days
Sign By-law Amendment
COVID-19 | March 25, 2020
At the March 25 Council meeting, Mississauga City Council provided for a deferral of the Stormwater Charge by up to 90 days and amended the City’s Sign By-law in response to COVID-19 to help further mitigate impacts on residents and businesses.
“We’re working to provide relief where we can to residents and businesses,” said Mayor Crombie. “These are unprecedented times, so deferring items like the property tax and now the stormwater charge is the right thing to do. We all have a responsibility to act where and how we can.”
Stormwater Charge Deferral – 90 Days
This deferral until later in the year is to help provide cash flow relief over the next few months.
The charge will need to be paid before the end of the year.
The Region of Peel bills this service on behalf of the City and will action the deferral through their billing system. Details to be confirmed at Region of Peel Council.
What is the Stormwater Charge?
This is a dedicated source of revenue that appears on the Region of Peel water bill to manage the rain and melted snow flowing from our properties on to our streets and down into more than 51,000 storm drains. This water flows through a large and complex network of pipes and waterways directly into Lake Ontario.
The charge is identified on the bill as a Stormwater Charge and shows the number of billing units for the property, the daily rate being charged, the total number of days included in the bill cycle along with the total Stormwater Charge amount. For more information visit: Stormwater Charge
Sign By-law Amendment
Council amended the Sign By-law and Portable Signs on Road Allowances Corporate Policy during the Declared Emergency in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to provide additional advertising opportunities for businesses and community groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. This provision will be in place as long as the state of emergency is in place, or until June 30, 2020 except for community groups who will have this provision until December 31, 2020.
· Three additional portable signs per street front are added without a permit
· The maximum display period was extended from 21 days to 30 days
· The number of permits per group was increased from 10 to 15 per year
Businesses and Community groups can access portable sign applications online using eSigns.
News Release
Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open at 1-888-444-3659March 25, 2020 The province has launched a toll-free line 1-888-444-3659 to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the province’s recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces following recommendations by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. On Monday, the province issued an emergency order to close at-risk workplaces and encourage non-essential businesses to find ways to help their employees work from home. The government also reminded businesses to put in place protocols for physical distancing and regular hand-washing in order to protect the health and safety of employees and the general public. Businesses who have questions about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. Help is available from Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m.―5:00 p.m. A complete list of essential services is available on the Government of Ontario’s website. |
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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CONTACTSIvana Yelich Office of the Premier |
The Province has provided a list of businesses that are allowed to stay open on there website. Included in the list is construction. Considered essential as they provide shelter. Inspectors will be at large sites and have the authority to shut them down if they are not looking after the health safety of their workers
Electricity Rates
Electricity will be charged at the off peak rate off 10.1 cents per KWT/hr. for residents and small businesses. No disconnections will occur for electricity or gas during the outbreak
COVID-19 | March 23, 2020
Mayor Bonnie Crombie has declared a State of Emergency in the City of Mississauga in consultation with Mississauga City Council and the Office of Emergency Management. The declaration supports the Province of Ontario’s and Region of Peel’s efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19.
Declaring an emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act provides the City of Mississauga with options to protect the health and safety of individuals and families living in Mississauga.
“Declaring an emergency will help us act quickly to manage the impacts of COVID-19 on our residents and business during this evolving situation,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “The health and well-being of our residents and employees is our priority. We are looking at the long-term impacts of this pandemic. Declaring an emergency along with the Region of Peel and the Province of Ontario will give us the flexibility we need as a municipality to manage the situation. We must be ready to act when needed and we must send a signal to all residents that this is an unprecedented situation that they must take seriously.”
An “Emergency” is a situation or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise. (Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990,c.E.9)
To learn about the latest updates on actions taken by the City of Mississauga visit mississauga.ca/coronavirus or follow @CityMississauga on Twitter.
For health information, please visit peelregion.ca/coronovirus
Mayor Bonnie Crombie Signs Emergency Declaration
City Services | March 23, 2020
Effective today, all facilities within the City’s 500+ parks are closed to the public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 including:
- Playgrounds
- Outdoor Fitness Equipment
- Sport Courts
- Leash-free Zones
- Picnic Shelters
- Skateboard Parks
“In an effort to reduce the further spread of this virus and encourage physical distancing, we have made the decision to close all facilities within parks such as playgrounds, sport pads, leash-free areas, and courts,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “I have seen and heard far too many instances of people socializing with friends and families at playgrounds and in our parks and not maintaining safe distances of 2 metres or more. Enough is enough. This week is absolutely critical in our efforts to contain the virus and flatten the curve in Mississauga. These additional measures are necessary and will help reduce the risk of transmission to those most vulnerable in our community.”
Signage at all City parks indicating these closures will be installed by the end of the week.
These closures are aligned with Peel Public Health’s strong direction to residents to practice social distancing and avoid gatherings in public settings.
According to Peel Public Health, the best way to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 is to:
- Stay home if you are ill.
- Practice social distancing: reduce physical contact with others (of at least 2 metres apart) to break the pathways COVID-19 uses to move between people, such as shaking hands and direct contact.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose as much as possible.
- Avoid contact with people who are ill and their items.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands. Wash hands after coughing and sneezing.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet, exercise and enough sleep, to enhance your body’s immune system.
- Get a flu shot. You are more likely to contract influenza than COVID-19 and being sick lowers your immunity to other germs.
To learn about the latest updates on actions taken by the City of Mississauga visit mississauga.ca/coronavirus.
For further COVID-19 information, please visit Region of Peel Public Health.
Please continue to follow our updates on Twitter through @CityMississauga and through our website mississauga.ca.