Page 14 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 90

14 Issue #90 July 2020 www.sportsenergynews.com

Notes from Our Federal and Provincial Representatives

Stormont-Dundas-South Stormont-Dundas-South
Glengarry MP Glengarry MPP

Interview Interview
with with

MP Eric Duncan MPP Jim MacDonell

P arliament is Essential, and so is the Opposition Iof Emergency. It is a sobering milestone. Now entering our fourth month
t now over three months since our government put into effect the Declaration
To say the least, it has been a unique time to serve as a Member of fighting COVID-19, it is also a chance for us to reflect on the successes we have
Parliament in Canada, especially being on the job for less than 8 months. achieved to protect ourselves, our families, and friends.

Like all jobs, there are new ways of interacting and doing business. Our most immediate concern has been to ensure our health care system and
Endless online video meetings are the new normal, and I’ve connected frontline workers are protected. We knew little about the virus and less about its
either by phone or Zoom video with hundreds of you to hear your feedback ability to spread. We had to get ready as soon as possible to build up hospital and
and advocate for your business. testing capacity, while restricting our own freedoms to flatten the curve. Thanks
to the dedication of our health care professionals, we now have more than 21,000
Like my predecessor Guy Lauzon, I value the importance of customer acute care beds and 3,000 critical care beds, of which 2,583 are equipped with
service and connecting at a grassroots level. However, a key part of our ventilators. We also had thousands of more acute care beds available if need be.
job as a Member of Parliament has always been our work on Parliament Going forward, we will be able to keep better track of potential spreads, thanks
Hill located in Ottawa. to the 30 laboratories now operating, testing over 20,000 Ontarians a day. We are
now putting in place enhanced case and contact management so we can quickly
Rightfully so, Parliament was suspended in early March as we contributed
test, trace, and isolate cases of COVID-19 to stop the spread of the virus and
in the effort to flatten the curve. However, I have been disappointed that
prepare for any potential future waves. This is part of a new comprehensive case
we have not reopened Parliament as normal, albeit with a small ratio of and contact management strategy, called Protecting Ontarians through Enhanced
MPs in the Chamber at a time, for obvious safety and physical distancing Case and Contact Management. And in partnership with the federal government,
reasons. we are readying a new made-in-Ontario national app called COVID Alert.
With the unprecedented levels of new spending, quickly set-up Meanwhile, we are making progress on developing a vaccine. Until this
government assistance programs, health recommendations changing is available, everyone should continue to follow the guidelines of practicing
physical distancing of two metres (covering your face when this not possible),
often, and the increasing public desire to reopen our economy safely, the
washing hands frequently, and staying home if unwell.
voice of Canadians is even more important these days.
We are also entering the second month of the province’s Framework for
Whether it is asking tough but constructive questions, participating in Reopening our Province. Important safety measures have been followed
debates or bringing forward solutions and amendments, Parliament needs successfully for Stage 1. Our provincial command table has been evaluating
to be fully operational and functioning to make democracy work. the results of these changes to develop our strategy moving forward. Now we
are hopeful the final phases of Stage 2 will lead to the final re-opening, Stage 3.
I hope my limited interventions in the House of Commons in recent
months can show my constituents that, even as an Opposition MP, every I had the privileged opportunity the past couple of weeks of visiting many
our newly reopened establishments. It is welcoming to see the effort businesses
MP is able to raise issues and get results.
and their employees have put in to ensure their customers and themselves are
My two 5-minute Question Period proposals on extending benefit dates protected. To learn more about the reopening of businesses, go to: https://www.
for Canadians was well received. The following week, the Prime Minister ontario.ca/page/framework-reopening-our-province. The government continues
agreed with my proposal. The following month, the government took my to listen to the public for more ideas on how we can best help you return to your
business or workplace. I want to thank all of you for your cooperation.
proposals again regarding the Canada-US border closure to safely reunite
spouses and children who had been separated for months. Both the province and federal government continue to offer assistance
programs and services to help those affected by COVID-19. They can be found
With summer upon us, Parliament is recessed. While I will continue my at: http://www.covidsupports.ca/jimmcdonell.
work on the ground locally, I truly wish I could be in Parliament to ‘’make
As has been the last couple of months, your local Member of Parliament,
up for lost time’’ and keep our government working and accountable
Eric Duncan and I, will occasionally host virtual live townhall-style video
during these unprecedented times.
conferences. I welcome everyone to participate in or view these townhalls. They
are ideal opportunities for us to meet and to host interesting experts to help
for quotes or any questions answer your questions. You can find information on these upcoming meetings
Contact us at 613-932-8318 or Roger@visualvinyl.ca
on our websites and Facebook pages.
find us at @visualvinyl
For the latest COVID-19 guidelines, please go to www.ontario.ca/COVID-19.
Our office continues to be available at 613-933-6513 or email at jim.mcdonellco@
pc.ola.org.
Regards,
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