COVID-19 Update for April 17, 2020 – 1:50pm
Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario would be providing funding for emergency childcare for additional front-line workers while Education Minister Stephen Lecce provided updates on Ontario’s education sector. Ford also committed to providing updated projections and modelling and has asked public health authorities to provide an update to the public on Monday.
Childcare for Essential Workers
Ford issued a new emergency order last night extending childcare services for front-line and essential workers, now including those who work in or for group homes, shelters and manufacturing facilities. You can see the complete news release and list of eligible workers here.
Education Updates
Minister Lecce announced that Ontario has reached a deal with Apple and Rogers to provide more than 21,000 iPads to support students from low-income families during this period. The iPads are being provided at a reduced rate by Apple and Rogers is covering data services. The Minister also noted that every high school in the province will have access to high-speed internet by September.
Thanks Given
Premier Ford thanked a number of companies for their donations, including Uber for its donation of $6 million to Sick Kids and the Daily Bread Foodbank. He also thanked Bell Canada for its donation of 375,000 face masks to health-care and front-line workers, as well as its $5-million commitment to supporting mental health providers.
We hope you are finding these COVID-19 updates useful. In addition to trying to keep on top of the fast-changing situation, Enterprise is also working to support local charities during these challenging times. If you are able, your contributions to this
effort would be deeply appreciated.
To donate, please click on the link.
- Toronto – https://www.foodbankscanada.ca/
- Hamilton/Niagara – https://www.hamiltonfoodshare.org
- Alberta – https://hopemission.com/
Many thanks.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
The Enterprise Team