COVID-19 Update for May 22, 2020 – 1:55pm
At his daily briefing, Premier Doug Ford announced new COVID-19 support for specific sectors: apprenticeship and tourism/hospitality.
Aid for Apprentices
Ford announced the launch of a new Ontario Tools Grant program this summer, to help apprentices purchase equipment. An estimated 11,600 Ontario apprentices are eligible to receive:
- $1,000 each in motive power sectors;
- $600 each in construction and industrial trades; and
- $400 for those in-service sector trades.
The grant program is slated to invest $2.5 million in 2020-21 and $7.5 million in 2021-22 and ongoing.
The government is also forgiving $10 million in outstanding loans owed by apprentices for tool purchases, an initiative Ford says will put $500 back in the pockets of 19,000 apprentices, money they can put towards new tools, safety clothing and manuals.
Read the government’s media release here.
Virtual Action Centre
Noting that some 90 per cent of tourism and hospitality workers have been displaced by the economic shut down, Ford announced a partnership with UNITED HERE Local 75 to launch a Virtual Action Centre. The centre is expected to help up to 7,000 workers in the sector with counselling for mental wellness and stress management, health and safety training for those returning to work, technical skills training, language training, and peer group facilitation and employment preparation through video conferencing.
The centre will be operated by UNITE HERE, a union representing workers in hotels, restaurants, racetracks and casinos, laundry, food service, airport concessions, textile and general manufacturing and distribution centres.
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 organization below:
- Toronto – Food Banks Canada
- Thunder Bay – Food Banks North West
- Hamilton/Niagara – Hamilton Food Share
- Alberta – Hope Mission
Many thanks.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
The Enterprise Team